How to wash soft toys in the washing machine and by hand
Young children love to take toys with them wherever they go. Therefore, plush "friends" quickly get dirty and lose their attractive appearance. The worst thing is that all the microbes on the surface enter the baby's body due to close contact with the product. Parents need to know how soft toys made from different materials are washed.
Content
- 1 Preparation for washing
- 2 How to wash
- 3 How to dry well
- 4 How to clean by hand with foam at home
- 5 Disinfection
- 6 How to vacuum
- 7 What toys can not be washed in a washing machine
- 8 What to do if there is a music unit
- 9 How to wash large models
- 10 Features of cleaning during quarantine
- 11 How to wash rubber products
Preparation for washing
Before loading into the drum of the washing machine, the appearance of the product is first inspected. They should not be torn, with protruding threads and padding. The toys undergo a small "repair".
Dirty places are pre-treated with soap. If necessary, a brush is also used. This increases the chances that the toy will come back clean and fresh.
How to wash
The washing result depends on the quality of its performance. The mode, water temperature and type of detergent are taken into account.
Mode selection
At first glance, the toys seem to be tightly sewn, and there is no need to carefully select the scheme. To keep them in shape, they are gently washed. This step is very important and should not be overlooked.
Delicate wash
The mode is intended for products made of delicate fabrics.
Manual
The mode comes as close as possible to hand washing. Gently cleans the material without damaging its structure.
Wool
Another mode for washing delicate items.
Temperature
All three modes have a preset temperature that does not exceed 30-40 degrees. Washing with water does not cause the product to fall off. It is rare on toy labels that the permitted washing temperature is around 70 degrees.
How to choose a product
One of the important steps in washing is the choice of detergent. Not only the cleaning of the toy depends on it, but also the effect on the baby's body. Of course, preference is given to harmless formulations.
Specialty powders, gels and conditioners
To wash the clothes of the smallest members of the family, a powder marked "for children" is taken. Its composition should be neutral, the content of harmful substances such as phosphates and nitrates is excluded. A liquid conditioner or shampoo is welcome, it will rinse out faster and won't stay in the fabric.
baby soap
Also suitable for washing. Acts gently on the surface of the material. It is ground before use for faster dissolution.
laundry soap
A universal tool capable of removing any dirt. Toys soaked in water are soaped up and then sent to the washing machine.
any shampoo
The gentle composition of the shampoo is recommended for washing children's toys due to its harmless composition.Thanks to the liquid base, it is quickly washed off the fabric.
How to dry well
Whatever the choice of washing, by hand or machine, the products are dried outside. If it's not prone to stretching, hang it to dry. Otherwise, the plush friends are laid out on a flat surface. To dry them faster, wrap them in a terry towel, which will remove the remaining moisture. After - air dry.
How to clean by hand with foam at home
The main condition of the cleaning method is the formation of foam. It can be soap or laundry detergent. The cleaning steps are as follows:
- If you use solid soap, a damp sponge is moistened and then rubbed into a thick foam. When choosing a liquid or powder composition, it is mixed with water and whipped until a thick air mass forms.
- A little foam is applied to the sponge, and dirty areas are treated with gentle actions.
- The procedure is repeated until the surface is clean. During cleaning, the plush should not be saturated with moisture.
- After cleaning, excess foam is removed with a soft cloth until the plaque is completely gone.
- Saturate with a terry towel and dry in the usual way.
In order to restore softness to the toy, a comb is passed over it.
Disinfection
An important step in cleaning is disinfection. Soft objects for games end up becoming a haven for dust mites and various microbes. Various methods are used to get rid of them.
In the freezer
Low temperatures can kill harmful microorganisms. For this, the toy is placed in a bag and placed in the freezer compartment. In such an environment, she must spend at least 2 days.
UV lamp
The rays it emits are known to kill germs.For this, toys are laid out in the lamp area, and the device itself is turned on. It will take 10-20 minutes to make it clean.
How to vacuum
The method is suitable for toys that cannot be cleaned with a wet method. Modern models of vacuum cleaners are equipped with a small attachment. It is with its help at low power that the cleaning is carried out.
What toys can not be washed in a washing machine
Not all game models are machine washable. Due to the design, material and type of filling, they will not only lose their shape and appearance, but also become unusable.
Natural organic fillers
Can be filled with sawdust, fluff or buckwheat. Some toys also contain cotton. Washing in a washing machine is possible if foam rubber or a synthetic winterizer is used as a filler.
Natural fabric surface
Dogs, seals, bears and other animals are also sewn from natural materials. It can be linen, cotton or wool. These products are cleaned by hand. After the typewriter, things warp, stretch and shrink.
Musical models
It is strictly forbidden to wash the type of toys, because the moisture will spoil the mechanism and the music will not be heard.
Too big
Why can't I wash my big toys? The answer to this question is simple. The fact is that they do not fit in the drum.
Glued parts
Glue is used to fix small parts. Under the influence of water, it dissolves and all the elements disappear.
What to do if there is a music unit
The toy is cleaned in the washing machine if, in addition to the musical mechanism, there are no other contraindications.In this case, a little trick will help you. Electronics are removed before washing. After drying, everything is put back in its original place and baby can enjoy the music again.
How to wash large models
Teddy bears are very popular. But these "friends" of babies get dirty quickly. Toys are cleaned in two ways - with a vacuum cleaner and foam. In the first case, the nozzle is driven carefully so as not to draw eyes and other parts into the garbage bag.
Features of cleaning during quarantine
Toys are objects that collect bacteria, which become carriers of various diseases. During the period of infectious and viral diseases, soft products require special care. Toys that cannot be washed and rarely fall into the hands of the baby are sent to the farthest place.
Plush friends are washed in water at a temperature not lower than 60 degrees. It's good when the fabric and padding are designed to be washed at higher rates. After washing, the toys are covered with boiling water for greater efficiency.
Drying is carried out exclusively on clean surfaces previously treated with antiseptic agents.
Soft items are washed every other day.
Disinfection problem
In addition to washing, disinfection measures are often carried out. This is very important, as it allows you to destroy most bacteria and prevent re-infection with disease. In addition to low temperatures and an ultraviolet lamp, there is another method of disinfection - exposure to hot steam.
Viruses and bacteria die quickly. Toys are treated with a steamer, if the device is in the house. Otherwise, the device is replaced with an ordinary iron.
How to wash rubber products
Most babies do not tolerate bathing well. Therefore, parents try to occupy them and thus divert attention from hysteria. The same toys, but made of a material that is not afraid of water, contribute well to this.
Despite the fact that rubber ducks, rabbits and turtles are constantly in the water, they need to be constantly washed. A humid environment favors the accumulation and reproduction of various harmful microorganisms. The interior is especially dangerous, as the fungus thrives there. Therefore, these toys are cleaned at least once a week.
Another reason to wash your rubber toys regularly is your little one's teething. In this state, the child chews things. Since they enter the oral cavity, they must be clean.
Pickled
You will need a 9% plain vinegar solution. One part of the liquid is mixed with two parts of water. The acid quickly dissolves dirt and kills germs, so you don't need to use soap for this purpose.
You can also replace the solution with apple cider vinegar. But in this case, there is a high probability of the appearance of spots on light-colored toys. Therefore, this fact is taken into account before washing.
To begin with, they are soaked in a large container in a prepared vinegar solution. It takes 10 to 15 minutes. It is important that the solution gets inside the rubber products, since the largest percentage of bacteria is there.
Next is a small brush or brush. With the help of villi, dirt is brushed off in hard-to-reach places. After cleaning, the toys are washed in ordinary water and dried.To wash off the remaining vinegar, the product is rinsed 2-3 times.
It is best to dry outdoors. Direct sunlight will quickly remove any remaining moisture. After that, the child is allowed to play with the animals.
Chlorine
These may be products containing chlorine. With its help, toys are cleaned only from the inside. Chlorine cleaning is strictly prohibited.
Washing rubber toys is also possible in the dishwasher. To do this, parents must ensure that the products are not damaged.
Some dishwasher modes are programmed for high temperature steam drying. They should not melt, and whether such a wash can be used, the manufacturer's instructions are studied.
Toys of any design, fill, material and size should be cleaned and washed. But there is a method for each species.Following simple rules will help extend the life of the product, and the baby will be satisfied. In turn, parents will not worry about the health of their children, because they play with clean toys.