Cleaning is an important part of maintaining health and safety in vulnerable spaces. Children, for example, do not have a fully developed immune system. They’re also curious and like to put things in their mouth. They can easily get sick or spread diseases.
It is important to disinfect and sanitize childcare environments such as daycares. It’s especially important to disinfect toys that multiple children share. You can help to ensure the comfort and well-being of your children by providing that all toys, clothing, and other items that they touch are germ-free. This will also give you more peace of mind as you go about your daily business.
What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
Understanding the differences between these three terms will help you understand why it is important to disinfect toys in daycares and not just clean or sanitize them.
Cleaning is the removal of dirt, dust, and germs. It doesn’t always kill germs, but it can. The ultimate goal of cleaning should be to reduce these germs and, therefore, lower the risk of their spreading. Cleaning creates an atmosphere that is difficult for germs.
Sanitizing, on the other hand, means reducing germs to an acceptable number. There may be some germs that remain, but not enough to cause harm. Finally, disinfecting is the use of chemicals to kill or inactivate bacteria. However, a surface that has been disinfected may not be completely clean.
The definitions above mean that cleaning toys in daycares is not enough. After cleaning them, you should disinfect them. If you hire school cleaners, they will know exactly what to do and how to do it.
What do daycares use to clean and disinfect toys?
Most soaps are suitable for cleaning surfaces. Please make sure they’re appropriate for the fabric. If you are washing a toy made of cloth, make sure that the label specifies the type and amount of recommended detergent.
Use products that have been labeled as child-safe for sanitizing or disinfecting. Look for hypoallergenic disinfectants and sanitizers. Also, it’s a good idea to buy eco-friendly products.
It is important to read and follow the instructions for use. This will ensure that you get the best results. This is particularly true with disinfectants. Let the bottle sit for at least 15 minutes if it says to.
How do you sanitize toys in a daycare?
Different toys require different cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization methods. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
Non-porous, hard toys.
Toys made of plastic, such as blocks and other toys, like play instruments and balls, can be cleaned by washing them with soap and warm water. Then, disinfect the toys with a clean towel after drying them. You can disinfect toys at the end of the playtime if they are not visibly dirty.
Soft, porous toys
When you have dirty, porous toys, such as wooden blocks, board books, and stuffed animals, clean them with the right cleaning solution. After wiping or washing with warm water, let the toys dry completely before disinfecting. Launder toys made of fabric with hot water. Do not use disinfectants after washing the toys. They can remain on the fabric, and young children may bite or sucke on them.
You can use cleaning cloths with disinfectant or disinfectant wipes to disinfect these toys if you cannot wash them. Do not put the disinfectant on the toys. Wipe the surfaces with a dampened cloth soaked in disinfectant.
How do you disinfect toys from COVID?
COVID, according to the World Health Organisation, is airborne. The virus can spread between people in close proximity, even up to one meter away. Aerosols and droplets that contain the virus can infect a person when they come into contact with their eyes, nose, or mouth. These aerosols and droplets can be created by someone coughing, sneezing, or talking.
The WHO recommends wearing a mask. Avoid poorly ventilated and crowded indoor environments because aerosols will remain for longer in these conditions.
Rarely the COVID virus can also be spread through fomites. This is contaminated surfaces or items, such as elevator buttons, countertops, or toys. If a person touches these surfaces without first washing their hands, they may get infected.
Even if there is a low risk of COVID-19, it’s wise to disinfect the toys in daycares. These objects may not contain COVID aerosols but may harbor germs that could cause other illnesses. It’s important to teach your children to wash their hands properly properly.
It may seem like a tedious task, especially if there are a lot of toys to be cleaned. In the end, though, keeping daycares and toys clean will benefit everyone in the establishment.