How do you clean used toys?

[ett]

I've been shopping consignment stores and sales, but I have to admit that a lot of the toys I got are still sitting in the basement because I'm not sure how to clean them, or if I even should. I'm pretty picky and usually only get things that look clean and are in pretty good condition. For plastic toys I either put them in the dishwasher or wipe down with a baby wipe. I wipe down the covers of used books. But what about things like jigsaw puzzles, games, and wooden toys? There is no way I'm going to go through and wipe every single piece of puzzle. I also got a felt story board with felt pieces and I'm not sure if I can machine wash the pieces.

My kids are past the chewing phase so I'm not worried about them putting these things in their mouth. And honestly, they're probably cleaner than the library books we check out.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[lil_acorn]

can you spray them with lysol if they aren't chewers?

[wellyes]

Straight vinegar or a water/vinegar mix

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vin...old-germs.html

Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar—the kind you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can’t claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency. However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial.

Vinegar kills bacteria. I'm not particularly worried about germs since those can't live on an inanimate objects for a long time (I believe they can live up to about 48 hours max).

[WatchingThemGrow]

I use Clorox wipes or other spray cleaners. I actually have a holding bin for incoming used toys, because it skeeves me out to see a DC walking around playing w/something that hasn't been sanitized. Sometimes I'll use the dishwasher or do a tub with dish soap or bleach, depending on the items.

[ett]

Originally Posted by WatchingThemGrow

I use Clorox wipes or other spray cleaners. I actually have a holding bin for incoming used toys, because it skeeves me out to see a DC walking around playing w/something that hasn't been sanitized. Sometimes I'll use the dishwasher or do a tub with dish soap or bleach, depending on the items.

But what about things like puzzles and games with lots of pieces. Do you wipe every single piece?

[twowhat?]

Originally Posted by ett

But what about things like puzzles and games with lots of pieces. Do you wipe every single piece?

Put them out in full sun for an afternoon and consider them CLEAN For soft toys, I like to just rub them down with a washcloth dampened in isopropyl alcohol.

[ett]

Originally Posted by twowhat?

Put them out in full sun for an afternoon and consider them CLEAN For soft toys, I like to just rub them down with a washcloth dampened in isopropyl alcohol.

Good idea about the sun. I'll try that.

[DrSally]

Big toys, I wash down with soap and water, using a toothbrush, if necessary in crevices. wooden toys, books, etc. I use a wrung out washrag with soap and water.

ETA: I also don't let my kids play with the toys until I've washed them. I don't know how toys can get so grimey, but I don't let our kids walk around with food/milk, so maybe other people do. It is worth it to me, b/c it saves so much $$ to buy used.

[MamaMolly]

FWIW I think 'new' toys can be totally gross too. I've seen way too many kids unsupervised in the toy aisles to think anything I bring home is germ free. Of course unless it is in a box.

I use diluted bleach on the plastic stuff, the fabric stuff goes into the washing machine. Small parts go in a lingerie bag. If it doesn't make it I'm only out a little tiny bit of money.

[ett]

Originally Posted by DrSally

ETA: I also don't let my kids play with the toys until I've washed them. I don't know how toys can get so grimey, but I don't let our kids walk around with food/milk, so maybe other people do. It is worth it to me, b/c it saves so much $$ to buy used.

I don't let me kids walk around with food either so I don't understand how toys can get so grimy. I usually just avoid those because I don't care to spend the time cleaning them. I'm mostly picking up puzzles and games these days so those usually look pretty clean.