Your toddler's favourite teddy bear. Those bath ducks. The tablet they share with their sibling. Every toy your child touches collects something invisible — bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and the remnants of whatever their hands (or mouth) last touched. And when you're already juggling daycare drop-offs, dinner prep, and the never-ending laundry pile, cleaning the toys can feel like one more impossible task on an already full plate.
Quick Answer: Clean kids' toys regularly by type. Machine-wash stuffed toys in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle. Run solid plastic toys through the dishwasher on the top rack. Wipe electronic toys with a damp cloth and child-safe disinfectant. Clean high-touch toys weekly, and daily-mouthed toys every day — especially during cold and flu season.
Why Your Kids' Toys Need Regular Cleaning
It's easy to assume toys are fine if they look clean. But research tells a different story.
A study published in the *American Journal of Infection Control* tested 70 toys and found that 100% harboured at least one pathogenic microorganism — including Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and Bacillus species (37%). These aren't rare hospital germs. They're the same bacteria that cause skin infections, gastro, and ear infections in young children.
Viruses survive on toys too. Researchers at Georgia State University found that influenza virus can survive on plastic toy surfaces for up to 24 hours in typical indoor conditions. When kids share toys — whether at home with siblings or at daycare — they're also sharing whatever's living on those surfaces.
The NHMRC's *Staying Healthy* guidelines, used by Australian childcare centres nationwide, put it plainly: "Some harmful germs can survive for periods of time in the environment, usually on surfaces such as benchtops, door handles and toys."
None of this means you need to sterilise every toy every day. But a simple cleaning routine — matched to how your kids actually play — makes a real difference to their health.
Cleaning vs Sanitising vs Disinfecting
These three words get used interchangeably, but they mean different things — and it matters when you're choosing products to use around children.
Cleaning removes visible dirt, food, and most germs using soap and water. This is the essential first step.
Sanitising reduces bacteria to a safe level. Hot water above 77°C sanitises on its own.
Disinfecting kills nearly all bacteria and viruses on a surface using chemical agents like bleach-free sprays or alcohol-based wipes.
The CDC recommends cleaning first, then disinfecting — because disinfectants can't work effectively on dirty surfaces. For everyday toy maintenance, cleaning with soap and water is usually enough. Save disinfecting for illness outbreaks, shared toys, or items that regularly go in mouths. If you prefer natural options, our guide to making and using natural cleaning solutions covers vinegar, bicarb, and other child-safe alternatives.
How to Clean Stuffed Toys
Stuffed animals collect dust, dead skin cells, and bacteria over time. If your child sleeps with a teddy or carries it everywhere, regular washing keeps allergens and germs under control.
Machine Washing
Most colourfast plush toys handle a machine wash well:
Place the toy in a mesh laundry bag (or tie it inside a pillowcase). This protects embellishments and stops smaller toys from getting caught in the drum.
Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water (40–60°C). The National Asthma Council Australia recommends washing at 60°C or above to kill dust mites.
Use a mild liquid detergent — about 1 tablespoon. Avoid powder, which can leave residue in thick filling.
Air-dry on a rack in sunlight if possible. If tumble drying, use the lowest heat setting and place the toy inside a pillowcase.
The same approach works beautifully for washing pillows — mesh bag, gentle cycle, thorough drying.
⚠️ Safety note: Never machine-wash stuffed toys with battery packs, in-built rattles, or loose embellishments. Stitch up any tears before washing to prevent stuffing from escaping. — NHMRC Staying Healthy Guidelines
Hand Washing
For delicate or non-colourfast toys, hand washing is safer. Test colourfastness first by dabbing a damp cloth on a hidden area — if colour transfers, spot clean only.
Vacuum the toy to remove surface dust and loose debris.
Mix a mild solution of lukewarm water and gentle liquid detergent in a basin.
Dampen a clean cloth in the solution and gently wipe the toy, focusing on visibly dirty areas. Avoid saturating the fabric.
Wipe again with a cloth dampened in clean water to remove detergent residue.
Air-dry thoroughly before returning the toy to your child. Any trapped moisture can lead to mould growth inside the stuffing.
Tip: For an allergen reset without a full wash, seal the stuffed toy in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for 4–5 hours. Australian childcare guidelines recommend this method to kill dust mites between washes.
How to Clean Plastic and Rubber Toys
From Duplo blocks and bath ducks to figurines and teething rings — most of your child's toy collection is probably plastic or rubber. The good news: these are the easiest toys to clean.
In the Dishwasher
Place large, solid toys on the top rack — away from the heating element
Put smaller pieces in a mesh bag to stop them flying around
Use a baby-safe detergent or your regular tablet — skip the heated dry cycle to avoid warping
Let toys air out for 30 minutes before storing
By Hand
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of baby-safe dish soap (brands like Ecover Zero or Earth Choice are available at Coles and Woolworths)
Soak toys for 15–30 minutes, dunking any that float to ensure full coverage
Scrub with a clean sponge or bottle brush, paying attention to crevices and textured surfaces
Rinse thoroughly under running water — soap residue can irritate young skin
Pat dry and leave to air-dry completely before storing
Bath Toys
Squeeze bath toys that trap water inside are a common source of hidden mould. After each bath, squeeze out all water and leave them to dry with the opening facing down. Once a week, soak bath toys in a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts warm water for an hour, then squeeze and rinse. If you see black mould inside a squeeze toy, it's safer to replace it.
How to Clean Electronic Toys
Tablets, gaming controllers, interactive books, and remote-control toys need a gentler approach — no submerging, no spraying directly.
Remove batteries if possible.
Dampen a microfibre cloth with a small amount of child-safe all-purpose cleaner. Wring it out well — the cloth should be barely damp, not wet.
Wipe the surface, paying extra attention to buttons, crevices, and the areas children grip most.
Spot clean any sticky or stained areas with a cotton bud dipped in the solution.
Follow with a clean, damp cloth to remove cleaning product residue.
Disinfect by wiping with a child-safe disinfectant wipe (such as Dettol Surface Wipes or Glen 20 Wipes, available at Woolworths and Coles). Leave the surface visibly wet for the contact time listed on the packet — typically 5–10 minutes.
Rinse the surface with a clean damp cloth after the contact time, then allow to air-dry completely.
The Glen 20 product guidelines specifically note that when disinfecting children's toys, surfaces must remain wet for the stated contact time and should be rinsed with water afterwards before the child handles the toy.
How to Clean Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are beautiful, durable, and increasingly popular — but they need different care from plastic. Never soak wooden toys or put them in the dishwasher, as water causes swelling, cracking, and finish damage.
Wipe with a cloth dampened with a solution of warm water and a few drops of white vinegar or mild dish soap
Dry immediately with a clean towel — don't leave moisture sitting on the surface
For unpainted or naturally finished wood, occasionally apply a thin coat of food-grade mineral oil or beeswax to maintain the finish
How Often Should You Clean Your Kids' Toys?
You don't need to clean every toy every day. A practical frequency framework — similar to what Australian childcare centres follow — makes this manageable:
Frequency | Which Toys | Why |
|---|---|---|
Daily | Toys that go in mouths (teethers, rattles) | Direct saliva contact transfers bacteria |
Weekly | Favourite toys played with daily, shared toys, bath toys | High-touch items accumulate germs quickly |
Fortnightly | Stuffed animals, toys in regular rotation | Dust mites and allergens build up over time |
Monthly | Stored toys, seasonal items, outdoor toys | Light exposure, less handling |
After illness | All toys the sick child touched | Prevents reinfection and household spread |
Before first use | Second-hand toys (op shops, Marketplace finds) | Unknown contamination history |
During cold and flu season (typically May–September in Australia), increase frequency for shared toys and anything going to or coming from daycare. If your child has had gastro, clean all high-touch toys with a disinfectant and keep them separated from other children's toys for 48 hours after symptoms clear.
Building a simple family cleaning routine that includes a weekly toy wash makes it far easier to stay on top of things without it becoming another dreaded chore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I clean my kids' toys?
Toys that go in mouths should be cleaned daily. Favourites and shared toys need a weekly wash. Stuffed animals and toys in regular rotation can be cleaned fortnightly. After any illness, clean all toys the sick child touched before returning them to the toy box.
Q: Can I put plastic toys in the dishwasher?
Yes — solid plastic and rubber toys without batteries, stickers, or paint can go on the top rack. Use a mesh bag for small pieces and skip the heated dry cycle to prevent warping. Let them air out for 30 minutes before storing.
Q: What's the safest way to disinfect toys without harsh chemicals?
White vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) is effective for everyday sanitising. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant — leave toys in direct sun for a few hours. For deeper disinfection, use a baby-safe disinfectant spray or wipe, but always rinse with water before returning the toy to your child.
Q: How do I clean second-hand toys from op shops or Marketplace?
Wash hard toys in hot soapy water, then disinfect with a vinegar solution or child-safe disinfectant wipe. Machine-wash stuffed toys on a warm gentle cycle. For wooden toys, wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Always inspect for damage, missing parts, and recalls before giving second-hand toys to children.
Q: Can you wash stuffed animals in the washing machine?
Most colourfast plush toys can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle in warm water. Place them in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase first. Avoid machine-washing toys with batteries, rattles, or delicate embellishments — hand-wash these instead. Air-dry thoroughly to prevent mould.
