Sanitizing Toys

[Controlled Chaos]

Good info here;

https://www.cscinc.org/wp-content/resource_pdfs/Sanitizing%20and%20Disinfecting%20Tip%20Sheet.pdf

Also:

CLEANING

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and debris.
Cleaning works by using soap and water to physically remove germs from surfaces.
Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs, but lowers their numbers by removing them. This, in turn, reduces the risk of spreading infection.

DISINFECTING:

Disinfecting kills germs.
Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs.
Disinfecting does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces.
By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further reduce the risk of spreading infection.

SANITIZING:

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs to a safe level (as determined by public health standards or requirements.)
Sanitizing works by either cleaning or disinfecting to lower the risk of spreading infection.

Thanks! I have 2 kiddos that are sick all the time (siblings) and I am trying to keep them from getting everyone else sick. I washed every toy 2 times already this week and half the other kiddos are already sick from what the siblings brought Monday :confused: ...sorry to hijack the thread I am just trying to get a handle on this - never had much of a problem with illness before. Occasional colds or flus in the winter would hit a few kids, but these are the same ones who have started HFM here, several stomach bugs... its crazy!

I also found this old thread

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69667

That had measurements for bleach in spray bottles which I found helpful - if anyone else wasn't sure.

[kitykids3]

I sanitize every time a LO puts one in their mouth. Well, what I do is I have a 'bleach tub' so kids put them in there and then about once a week I clean them. Sometimes I put them in the dishwasher if plastic. Otherwise I wipe with the bleach water spray and air dry.

[Play Care]

When I was first starting out a seasoned provider gave me her weekly toy cleaning schedule. I lost my original long ago but it was something like:

Monday: wipe down play kitchen, doll houses, all play food and utensils in dishwasher
Tuesday: was all dress up, wipe down dress up bin
Wednesday: little people/cars through dishwasher

And so on and so forth.

Before that I was sanitizing/disinfecting but not really washing

[Controlled Chaos]

When I was first starting out a seasoned provider gave me her weekly toy cleaning schedule. I lost my original long ago but it was something like:

Monday: wipe down play kitchen, doll houses, all play food and utensils in dishwasher
Tuesday: was all dress up, wipe down dress up bin
Wednesday: little people/cars through dishwasher

And so on and so forth.

Before that I was sanitizing/disinfecting but not really washing

I need to make a schedule, that's a good plan. Otherwise it slips my mind and when I rotate toys at the end of the month I am embarrassed by what I missed/failed to clean earlier. I love a good list - so it might keep me honest

[Luke25]

For sanitizing I use an EPA approved, Hospital grade sanitizer called Benefect; it's spendy but I can spray it on toys, counters etc and walk away, it's a no rinse, non toxic, plant based solution (Thymol). - it's less toxic than vinegar & water & perfect for a group of mouthing babies

I'll look into that! Thanks!