Cleaning fabric baby toys sounds like a challenging task. However, it is so much easier than you think! There are so many great options to cleaning fabric baby toys such as cleaning with all natural and gentle soaps as well as vinegar and baking soda.
The fastest, easiest way I found to clean fabric baby toys is to run them through a cycle in the washing machine.
There are some fabric toys and stuffed animals that you cannot clean throughly in the washing machine or submerge in water because they contain batteries. Well, this blog post will give you a lot of helpful information when cleaning all kinds of fabric baby toys.
When you clean baby toys, it is best to make sure you clean them properly and take a lot of care. Not only because you want your child to enjoy the toy, but babies chew on everything! Make sure that they do not ingest anything potentially harmful!
Also, you could sell or donate the toy if it is still in good condition in the future.
How to Clean Fabric Baby Toys in the Washing Machine
Make sure fabric toys do not contain any batteries! Any fabric toy that talks, makes music or any kind of electronic noise, do NOT put in the washing machine.
- Place the fabric toys in the washing machine.
- On the setting on the washing machine, select “Gentle Cycle/Wash”
- Make sure the temperature setting is cold or tap water.
- Add a small amount of detergent of your choice.
- Press “Start.”
This is by far the EASIEST way to clean fabric baby toys.
I love cleaning fabric baby toys in the washing machine like fabric baby play mats, crinkle baby books and cloth baby dolls toys.
Should I Put Stuffed Animals in the Dryer?
If you have a dryer that has the “air fluff” or “air dry” setting, then YES, you can put your stuffed animals in the dryer. This will fluff up the stuffed animal without it the fabric getting overheated and matted down.
Do NOT put stuffed animals in your dryer on any heat or low heat setting. It will ruin the fluff or fake fur of the stuffed animal.
You can also clean the baby bouncer fabric seats, fabric car seats, and any kind of padding for baby seats in the washing machine as well. The most important thing is that the temperature must be set to the cold setting on the washing machine.
How to Clean Fabric Baby Toys with Batteries
The best way to clean fabric baby toys with batteries is to spot clean. You can spot clean with a number of different cleaning agents. However, the all natural cleaning agents are the ones that are safest and best for baby.
Fabric baby toys that have batteries cannot be submerged into water.
This will damage the electrical system of the fabric baby toy and make it not work. Also, it could create some mold or mildew inside of the fabric baby toy. Electrical and water never mix and just sounds dangerous. Unless there is a way to remove the battery pack and electric wires or buttons, do not submerge the fabric baby toy in water. Need help with those stickers? Read this post about how to get stickers off of toys without the sticky residue.
6 All Natural Ways of How to Spot Clean Baby Fabric Toys
Spot cleaning fabric baby toys is actually quite effective for toys that contain batteries. Microfiber cloths really help scrub and penetrate the cleaning solution into the fabric. They are also great for absorbing extra moisture.
I like to spot clean large toys like stuffed animals and air dry.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda – baking soda is a natural whitener, so baking soda works well on white fabrics. If you need to clean a colorful fabric, test a small area first because the baking soda could fade the color. All you need is to mix equal parts water and white vinegar, mix in 1 teaspoon of baking soda and rub the stain with the vinegar/baking soda solution. You can also try wipes already made with Vinegar such as Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Wipes
- Gentle All Natural Soap (Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap) and Water
- Baby Wipes – Water Wipes
- All Natural Disinfecting Mist or Spray – Quick way to sanitize – one of my favorites is Seventh Generation disinfectant spray
- Baby Shampoo and water – Always a great option if you do not have any other all natural soap on hand.
- Steamer – the steamer option is great for an all natural cleaner but be careful! If the toy gets too wet or hot, it could easily get damaged. This is great for an all natural disinfectant but NOT a great option for spot cleaning.
Here are some other posts you might like that has to do with cleaning tips and hacks:
Removing Set-In Stains from Clothes Quickly!
Declutter with kids with these great tips!
Get rid of kids toys with consignment events
https://megsconsignment.comwhat-are-consignment-events/
Playroom Organization Ideas for a Happy Fun Space
Kids Consignment Sale: My First Experience as a Consigner
How to Determine Consignment Pricing