How to Clean and Sanitise Baby Toys
Updated September 2025 · 5 min read
Clean baby toys by matching the method to the material: wash hard plastic and silicone toys in warm soapy water (many are dishwasher-safe), machine-wash fabric toys, and wipe wooden and electronic toys with a damp cloth rather than soaking them. Clean toys that go in the mouth every few days, and always let everything dry fully before giving it back.
- Match the cleaning method to the material — don’t soak wood or electronics.
- Warm soapy water handles most everyday cleaning; you rarely need harsh chemicals.
- Clean mouthed toys more often, and always dry fully before reuse.
- Check the label for dishwasher- and machine-safe symbols.
How often to clean
Toys that go in the mouth — teethers, rattles, bath toys — are best cleaned every few days, and straight away if another child has mouthed them or if your baby is unwell. Toys that are only handled can be cleaned weekly or as needed. You rarely need strong disinfectants; warm soapy water does most of the work.
Hard plastic and silicone
Wash in warm water with a little washing-up liquid, scrub any grooves with a soft brush, rinse and air-dry. Many are dishwasher-safe (top rack) — check the label. For an extra step, some silicone and hard plastic toys can be sterilised the same way as bottles, if the manufacturer allows.
Fabric and plush toys
Most soft toys can go in the washing machine — pop them in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle, warm cycle, then air- or tumble-dry if the label permits. Check first for battery packs or sound boxes, which usually can’t be washed.
Wooden toys
Never soak wood — it can warp, crack or grow mould. Instead, wipe with a cloth wrung out in warm soapy water, then a clean damp cloth, and dry immediately. A little diluted white vinegar helps for a deeper clean.
Electronic and battery toys
Wipe the surface with a barely-damp cloth, avoiding the battery compartment and any openings. Don’t submerge them.
Bath toys and mould
Squeezy bath toys can trap water and grow mould inside. Squeeze them dry after every bath, and consider taping over the hole or choosing hole-free toys. For a deeper clean, soak in a warm water-and-vinegar solution, squeeze through, rinse and dry fully.
Frequently asked questions
How do you sanitise baby toys?
For most toys, warm soapy water and thorough drying is enough. Hard plastic and silicone toys can often be dishwasher-cleaned or sterilised; fabric toys can be machine-washed. Match the method to the material.
How often should you clean baby toys?
Clean toys that go in the mouth every few days, and immediately if shared or if your baby is ill. Handled-only toys can be cleaned weekly.
Can you put baby toys in the dishwasher?
Many hard plastic and silicone toys are dishwasher-safe on the top rack u2014 check the label first. Avoid it for wood, electronics and anything with a battery pack.
Sources
Safety guidance in this article reflects widely published newborn-care advice from bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the UK’s NHS. It is general information, not medical advice — always follow the guidance of your own paediatrician, midwife or health visitor.