Parents with a new baby in the house go to great lengths to ensure a germ-free environment, but what about cleaning rituals concerning their baby’s own silicone early educational toys? Oblivious to the concept of hygiene, a baby’s idea of ‘rinse and repeat’ is to suck and coat their toy with saliva, drag it across bedding or other surfaces, and pop it straight back into their mouth! As a result, cleaning methods must be robust to combat the growth of harmful bacteria, yet safe enough for fresh toys to once again be embraced by your little one.

Questions from parents around safe, non-chemical forms of sanitisation abound, but so too do questions around protecting the integrity and longevity of the toy itself. For instance, popping their favorite stuffed toy in the washing machine might seem straightforward, but what about silicone toys or bath toys (yes – even these need a regular clean). There is no one-size-fits-all approach to toy cleaning, and it will ultimately depend on the material and construction of the toy.

To help parents take some of the guesswork out of it, we consulted friends with babies who know a thing or two about caring for baby toys - especially those that end up in small mouths. They provide babies and children with safe and fun teeth, toys and chew pendants made of non-toxic silicone to support children's participation in sensory play. We looked at some of the best ways to clean different types of toys to minimize the risk of bacteria and protect your baby's health.

Plush toys

Plush or ‘stuffed’ toys tend to show the visible signs of dirt and germs more easily, and are therefore likely to be on parents’ radar to clean. Due to their cloth-based fabrication, they are ripe for laundry washing, yet confusion can still persist in terms of how to clean them and how often.

For example, if that usually bright, fluffy white bunny is looking more beige and matted, it’s probably long overdue for a wash. Always check the label to see if your plush is suitable for the washing machine, or requires a hand-wash using a mild laundry detergent. Consider the amount of mileage each toy receives from your baby to determine the wash frequency, but as a general rule of thumb, a once weekly wash should suffice for the most popular of your baby’s toys.

If machine-washable, use a gentle cycle and pop the toy into a washing bag or pillowcase, to help cushion it from any knocks in the machine. Opt for cool or warm rather than hot water, as any ‘glued on’ features such as stuffed animal noses may come loose when exposed to high temperatures. Finally, make sure the toy is completely dry before presenting it to your baby, as even a slightly damp toy can develop mildew. If in doubt, leave it out for an extra day.

This variety of toy is also the most ‘snuggle-worthy’ and most likely to be summoned by your child when they’re feeling unwell. Therefore, it’s important to get into the habit of washing your baby’s plush toys immediately following any period of sickness (or any toy type for that matter), as they can harbour bacteria that remains even after your child is feeling better, and risks reinfection.

Silicone toys

Silicone baby toys are building a reputation as a far safer alternative to traditional plastic toys, that don’t compromise on durability or washing convenience. Silicone teethers wholesale and baby toys are made using food-grade silicone, meaning they are completely non-toxic, and unlike plastic, can withstand very high or very low temperatures without leaching any trace amounts of chemicals.

There are a number of cleaning options for purely silicone toys, which can be washed in the dishwasher, in a steam or microwave steriliser, or hand-washed in warm, soapy water, without fear of damage. If receiving the dishwasher treatment, remember to secure larger toys snugly between the tines on the top rack of your dishwasher and put smaller toy pieces in a mesh bag or dishwasher container, to prevent a scavenger hunt once you open the door!

Wooden toys

Wood is long-lasting and has a natural antibacterial quality, so it makes an excellent choice for infants’ toys. On the flip side, wood is a porous material and requires a more targeted clean than the ‘soaked approach’ we looked at previously. Wooden toys can’t be dunked in the sink or dishwasher like some other toys, as submerging them in water would cause them to swell, change shape and possibly lose their painted colors.

Furthermore, any significant water absorption could potentially create the conditions for mould to grow. Spot cleaning wooden toys with a damp cloth of warm water will usually suffice, and if you are still worried about germs after particularly vigorous play, you can apply white vinegar or apple cider diluted with water to your cloth, to provide a natural, eco-friendly disinfectant. After a surface clean using either of the above-mentioned methods, be sure to follow up with an air dry or well wipe with a dry cloth, to help preserve the toy for many years to come.

Furthermore, any significant water absorption could potentially create the conditions for mould to grow. Spot cleaning wooden toys with a damp cloth of warm water will usually suffice, and if you are still worried about germs after particularly vigorous play, you can apply white vinegar or apple cider diluted with water to your cloth, to provide a natural, eco-friendly disinfectant. After a surface clean using either of the above-mentioned methods, be sure to follow up with an air dry or well wipe with a dry cloth, to help preserve the toy for many years to come.

Furthermore, any significant water absorption could potentially create the conditions for mould to grow. Spot cleaning wooden toys with a damp cloth of warm water will usually suffice, and if you are still worried about germs after particularly vigorous play, you can apply white vinegar or apple cider diluted with water to your cloth, to provide a natural, eco-friendly disinfectant. After a surface clean using either of the above-mentioned methods, be sure to follow up with an air dry or well wipe with a dry cloth, to help preserve the toy for many years to come.

Furthermore, any significant water absorption could potentially create the conditions for mould to grow. Spot cleaning wooden toys with a damp cloth of warm water will usually suffice, and if you are still worried about germs after particularly vigorous play, you can apply white vinegar or apple cider diluted with water to your cloth, to provide a natural, eco-friendly disinfectant. After a surface clean using either of the above-mentioned methods, be sure to follow up with an air dry or well wipe with a dry cloth, to help preserve the toy for many years to come.

Bath toys

As silicone bath toys are naturally exposed to soapy water with every use, you might be fooled into thinking they pose the least risk in terms of cleanliness. While surface germs might not seem to be a big problem compared to other toy types, mildew and soap scum from baths can easily introduce bacteria. And in this wettest room of the house where moisture is abundant even after the faucet is turned off, we encounter the risk of mould.

Bath toys with small holes in the bottom – designed to provide a sensory experience through squirting water or producing a squeaking sound – are often the culprit for mould-ridden toys. If not dried out completely after every use, mould spores will sneakily develop inside the crevices, and if you think hanging them upside down on a shower caddy will sufficiently dry them – think again! Mould toxins can cause a range of health issues in children including fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and can actually jeopardise their brain development.

It is highly recommended to buy only water-tight toys for the bath, to ensure that no water can get trapped inside. If you do insist on toys that can get waterlogged, be sure to shake them vigorously and air dry them after each and every use. And if you do detect mould inside, you’ll need to dispose of the toy immediately, as no cleaning method to eliminate mould will be safe enough to return the toy to your little munchkin.

Why choose silicone-based toys?

Having compared the cleaning needs for different toys, non-toxic silicone offers unbeatable ease and convenience due to their durable construction. The ability to toss pure silicone toys into the dishwasher for simple disinfection, means they are less likely to get overlooked by exhausted parents. Furthermore, the best silicone baby toys come in a variety of textures, meaning they actively support the sensory experiences that infants crave, through touch and oral exploration.

If you're looking for safe, super easy to clean silicone toys to support sensory play and comfort babies during teething and beyond, our popular, award-winning teeth, sensory balls and stacks of silicone products have earned the trust of parents and child development experts.