What is the recommended method for sanitizing toys?

The recommended method for sanitizing toys involves dipping them in a bleach-water solution and allowing them to air dry. This method is effective because the chlorine in bleach is a powerful disinfectant that can kill a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses that may be present on toys.

For effective sanitization, it is important that the bleach solution is mixed correctly—typically a ratio of about 1,000 to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of bleach to water is advised. After the toys are submerged in the solution, allowing them to air dry ensures that any residual cleaning solution can also contribute to the sanitizing effect as it dries, rather than being rinsed away.

Other methods, while they may contribute to cleanliness or hygiene to some degree, do not provide the same level of disinfection. For example, washing with soap and cold water can remove dirt and some germs, but it may not be sufficient to sanitize effectively since not all pathogens are eliminated. Wiping with a disinfectant spray can be useful for surface cleaning, but it must be noted that simply leaving the surface wet does not guarantee thorough sanitization unless specified by the product instructions. Soaking toys in hot water and vinegar can help with cleaning, but vinegar is