Taking Care of Wooden Toys
It is no surprise that our first instinct as parents is to keep our children healthy and safe. As days and months go by, as parents, we learn that we cannot keep children in a ‘bubble’, especially when they start crawling and putting everything in their mouth. That is part of their development, and we need to understand that. Yet, we are in a constant battle with ourselves not to let our children get sick, even though, deep down, we know that this is also part of growing up, by helping their immune system build a stronger defence against illnesses. Then again, it is no harm in trying our best to keep their surroundings and toys clean.
The good news is that wood is naturally antibacterial and thus won’t be affected by germs like plastic. Wooden toys do not need to be cleaned very often, except wooden teethers and wooden toys, which get into our little one’s mouth regularly! It is also recommended that wooden toys are cleaned when the children are sick or when the toys look visibly dirty.
Cleaning
In any circumstance, this is how it’s recommended and the best way to clean the wooden toys:
Wipe the wooden toys with a dry cloth. You can do this after every use.
Or
Mix a little (very) mild soap with warm water or with water at room temperature. Dip the cloth in the mixture and rinse it well, leaving it just slightly damp. Gently wipe the wooden toys. Then, gently wipe the wooden toys with a clean, dry cloth to remove any water or soap residue. Let the wooden toys air-dry correctly before putting them back in the box, cupboard, etc.
Another way is by filling up a clean spray bottle with the mixture (as mentioned above). Spray on the wooden toys and wipe them dry with a clean, dry cloth. I suggest you let them air dry completely to be sure they are dry.
DON’TS!
NEVER immerse the wooden toys in the water or let them be very wet after cleaning. Remember that wood is very porous, and lots of water can damage the wood. It might get cracks, swell, change shape, or lose its colours.
Disinfecting
These past two years were quite hard on everyone, and we have understood that COVID-19 and other viruses shouldn’t be taken lightly. We get the urge to disinfect every item and toy that our children might touch.
In that case, you can use natural disinfectants to disinfect the wooden toys:
Make a solution of vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar) diluted with warm water and wipe the wooden toys with a damp cloth. There is no need to rub too vigorously as this may damage the paint. Gently wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove any vinegar residue. Leave the wooden toys to air-dry completely.
DON’TS!
NEVER use alcohol. Coloured, wooden toys are finished with non-toxic water-based paint. This type of paint is child-friendly and conforms to the EU standards requirements. Wiping coloured wooden toys with alcohol may result in discolouration, since alcohol will dissolve the water-based paint.
NEVER use cleaning products (including bleach or hard detergents) since they contain dangerous chemicals or can cause irritations. Again, it is important to emphasise that wood is an absorbent material that will absorb anything, including chemicals. Moreover, these chemicals can easily damage wooden toys.
Natural-remedy solutions - keeping wooden toys in good condition
No toy ever stayed on a shelf or in a cupboard for a long time (unless the child didn’t like it or has grown out of it).
After many uses, you might notice that the colour on the wooden toys has started to fade a little or become dull. To avoid this, you can use natural beeswax and natural mineral oil. These will help the wood keep or replenish its natural moisture, prevent scratches, and keep it looking good. Both ingredients are natural. Nevertheless, double-check that the oil is food safe (and therefore safe for children) and whether the beeswax you intend to use is non-allergenic. One should follow the product instructions of usage mentioned on the product itself. Make sure that the type of treatment you will use will give you the desired result.
Taking care of wooden toys is as much rewarding as watching your children play happily with the toys. The toys will last longer, and you will have more happy faces around the house!
Feel free to browse our wide-range of wooden products!