Cleaning Information

You are required to thoroughly clean your toys prior to returning them to the toy library.
If you do not clean your toys at home, you will be requested to clean them in the toy library.

If anyone in your family has recently been unwell with a transmissible disease (e.g. influenza, RSV, vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory infection, COVID19) please advise the toy library when returning your toys, as we isolate these items for 7 days.  

We thank you for keeping all our members safe.

How to clean

Wipe the toy thoroughly with a cloth damp with either a pH neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing detergent) or a 2-in-1 cleaner/disinfectant (most multipurpose sprays available at the supermarket). If using a 2-in-1 multipurpose spray, the solution must be sprayed onto the cloth until it is quite damp. You can use something like a toothbrush or a cotton bud to get into hard to reach places.

Dry the toy with a clean tea towel or leave to dry overnight. Please make sure the toy is perfectly dry before returning it to its bag or box. Follow instructions for individual toys - especially do not submerge specific toys in water as they can trap water inside them or in the case of wooden toys, they can get too wet to effectively dry.  Do not place any toys in the dishwasher. 

Special tips

  • Baby Rattles – Do not to immerse rattles in water as they collect water which can lead to harmful bacteria developing.  Wipe the surface thoroughly with a damp cloth as above.

  • Wooden Toys and Train Sets – Wipe over. Allow time to thoroughly dry. These toys should not be immersed or soaked.

  • Duplo/Lego – Wash well immersed in hot water and detergent using a toothbrush for crevices.  Rinse and leave to drain overnight.

  • Bath toys – Please wash after using in the bath and ensure no water remains trapped in the toy.

  • Outdoor/Sandpit Toys & Trucks – These must be cleaned well remembering that the next member may wish to use it inside.  Remove all sand and dirt and clean well with hot water and detergent.

  • Board Games and Cardboard Puzzles – Paper-based materials, such as puzzles and games, are not considered a high risk for germ transmission and do not need additional cleaning or disinfection procedures. Please wipe over contacted boxes and pieces, clean counters and other plastic parts of a game.

  • Fabric items (Dress-ups/Puppets/Dolls Bedding/fabric baby rattles) – Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent, hang on a line or rack to thoroughly air dry.  Do not tumble dry.

  • Balance bikes, scooters and other ride-ons – These must be washed in hot water and detergent, paying extra attention to wheels, keeping in mind that the next family may wish to use them inside.

  • Magnetic toys – Wipe over with hot water and detergent only (no harsh chemicals)

  • Toy storage bags and boxes – Wipe handles and all areas that have been touched, ensuring everything is dry before placing toys back in them.

Reducing risk for children with food allergies

Children with food allergies are at risk of allergic reactions if they play with toys that have the food they are allergic to on them. They could get skin reactions from touching food on toys or they could have a more severe allergic reaction if the food gets into their mouth (for example if food from the toy gets on to their fingers and then they put their fingers into their mouth). To reduce the risk of toys getting food on them we ask that you:

●      Do not allow your child to play with toys while they are eating

●      Wash your child’s hands after they have eaten or had a milk drink before they play with the toys

●      Wash any toys that accidently get food or milk on them.

For children who have food allergies:

●      We recommend that you wash the toys prior to your child playing with them.

●      Teach your children not to put toys or their fingers into their mouth

For more information on food allergies see https://allergyfacts.org.au/__interest/food-allergy/