Natural Ways to Sterilize Nursery Toys

Baking Soda

• Mix 1/4 cup baking soda into 1 quart warm water and stir. Submerge your child's favorite water-friendly toys in this mixture, then wipe them dry with a clean cloth. For larger toys, submerge a clean cloth into the mixture and wring the cloth out until it is still damp but no longer dripping. Wipe down the toys with the cloth. Use another clean cloth to dry them.

Vinegar

• Wipe down vinyl baby books with pure white distilled vinegar. Dampen a cloth with the vinegar, wipe down the books and use another dry clean cloth to wipe them dry.

  Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water and put the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray down all of your child's plastic toys with the mixture and use a clean cloth to wipe them dry.

Hydrogen Peroxide

• Fill your sink or a large bowl with water and add 3 to 5 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide. Mix the liquids well, then add your child's plastic toys. Let the toys sit in this mixture for a few minutes. Take them out, rinse them under pure running water and wipe them dry with a clean cloth.

Washing Machine

• Clean stuffed or plush toys with the washing machine. Place the stuffed toys into the machine, sprinkle baking soda over the toys, add three capfuls of vinegar and wash as usual. Most stuffed toys can be tumble-dried on a low setting.