Wooden toys have always been loved by parents and children for their natural charm, durability and environmental friendliness. They are more antibacterial than plastic toys and can also provide a tactile and sensory experience that plastic toys usually cannot match. However, as children use them more frequently, if wooden toys are not cleaned in time, it will be harmful to the health and safety of children. Below we will explore the best practices for cleaning wooden toys.
1.Do wooden toys need to be cleaned and disinfected?
Although wood has natural antibacterial properties, children often put toys in their mouths while playing. According to statistics, young children put toys in their mouths 3-5 times per hour on average. If children put wooden toys on the ground or in other dirty environments during play, a large number of bacteria and viruses will easily adhere to the surface of wooden toys, such as common Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, cleaning and disinfecting wooden toys is very necessary, which can greatly reduce the risk of children getting sick due to bacterial infection. At the same time, cleaning and disinfecting toys can also extend the service life of toys.
2.How often should you clean wooden toys?
The frequency of cleaning of wooden toys can be determined based on the frequency of use by children, the environment in which the toys are placed, and the children's hygiene habits. If children play with wooden toys every day, such as building blocks and puzzles, which are often touched and fiddled with, it is recommended to clean them at least once a week. For wooden toys that children do not play with often but only take out occasionally to play with, they can be cleaned once every 2-3 weeks. If the toys are placed in a dusty place, they may need to be cleaned every 3-4 days. For example, if a child plays with a wooden toy car next to a sand pit, it is easy for a lot of sand and dust to accumulate on the toy car, which needs to be cleaned in time.
3.What should you use to clean wooden toys?
The following items can be used to clean wooden toys:
Mild detergents: such as baby shampoo, mild dishwashing liquid, etc. These detergents are mild in nature, will not damage the wood, and can effectively remove stains on the surface of the toy. You can mix an appropriate amount of detergent with water in a certain ratio, generally about 1:50.
Soft cloth:
You can choose a clean, soft wet cloth. The soft cloth can avoid scratching the surface of the wooden toy and can also better wipe the stains on the surface of the wooden toy. By wiping, the toy can also be dried better.
Soft brush or toothbrush:
Soft brush or toothbrush can be used to clean the gaps, holes, carved details and other difficult-to-wipe parts on the toy more finely.
White vinegar:
White vinegar has a certain disinfecting and decontamination effect. Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio, put it into a sprayer, spray it on the surface of the toy, and then wipe it with a wet cloth to effectively remove stains and odors. But make sure to wipe it with clean water after wiping to avoid residual white vinegar from corroding the toy.
Lemon juice:
Lemon juice also has natural cleaning and deodorizing properties. You can drop lemon juice on the stain, gently wipe with a damp cloth, and then wipe it clean with clean water. However, lemon juice may lighten the color of the toy surface, so you need to test it on a small area of the toy when using it.
4.Can you wash wooden toys with soap and water?
You can use soap and water to clean wooden toys, but you need to choose the right soap and pay attention to the cleaning method. It is recommended to choose mild and non-irritating soap, such as baby soap or pure vegetable soap. This type of soap is relatively gentle and can reduce damage to wooden toys, while also reducing the impact of residual substances on children's health. After cleaning wooden toys, be sure to dry them as soon as possible or put semi-dry toys in a ventilated place for ventilation.
5.How Do I Clean Wooden Toys?
To clean wooden toys, follow these steps:
Prepare cleaning tools and materials: prepare a mild detergent (such as baby shampoo, mild dishwashing liquid or baby soap), a soft damp cloth, a dry cloth, a soft brush or toothbrush, and a basin of warm water.
Mix cleaning solution:
Add an appropriate amount of detergent to warm water, generally the ratio of detergent to water is about 1:50. If you are using soap, rub the soap into the water to make foam.
Wipe the surface of the toy: Dip a soft damp cloth in the cleaning solution and gently wipe the surface of the wooden toy to remove dust, stains, sweat stains, etc.
Clean gaps and details:
For gaps, holes, carved details and other difficult-to-wipe areas on the toy, use a soft brush or toothbrush dipped in the cleaning solution to gently scrub and remove the dirt.
Rinse clean: Wipe the cleaning solution off the toy with a clean damp cloth to ensure that there is no detergent or soap residue.
Dry the toy:
Dry the toy with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture. Then place the toy in a ventilated place and avoid direct sunlight.
Special case handling:
If there are stickers or paintings on the surface of wooden toys, avoid direct contact of cleaning solution with these parts to avoid stickers falling off or paintings fading.
No matter which method you choose to clean wooden toys, be sure to dry them as soon as possible. Keep their structure and performance intact and extend the service life of wooden toys.
6.How to oil wooden toys?
Oiling wooden toys can protect the wood itself, make its surface smoother and more shiny, and extend the life of the toys. The following are the specific steps before oiling wooden toys:
Prepare suitable wood maintenance oil: such as natural linseed oil, mineral oil or special wooden toy maintenance oil. Avoid using oils containing fragrances, pigments or other chemical ingredients to prevent harm to children's health.
Choose a clean soft cloth: Choose a clean soft cloth that can be used to apply oil and wipe toys. If there are rough or uneven areas on the surface of the toy, you can prepare fine sandpaper for light polishing.
Specific steps for oiling:
1. Before oiling wooden toys, clean the toys thoroughly, remove dust, stains and residual moisture on the surface, and make sure that the toys are completely dry before oiling.
2. Pour an appropriate amount of oil on a soft cloth, and then gently wipe the surface of the wooden toy with a soft cloth to ensure that the oil is evenly applied to the toy. Pay special attention to the gaps, corners and edges of the toys.
3. After applying the oil, let the toy sit for a while, generally 1-2 hours, to allow the oil to fully penetrate the wood.
4. If you want to achieve a better maintenance effect, you can repeat the above application and wiping steps 2-3 times. Apply an appropriate amount of oil each time to avoid too thick an oil layer.
5. After oiling, wooden toys should be placed in a well-ventilated place to dry, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment.
Cleaning wooden toys is a simple but crucial process. From choosing the right detergent to using soft cloth and brush, it can help us effectively remove dirt and prevent toys from deforming, cracking, and the growth of mold and bacteria. Through the above explanations on cleaning wooden toys, I hope it will be helpful to you.
