Learning how to crochet

Essential Tips for Cleaning Wooden Toys

by Lillian Morgan

The love for wooden toys traverses cultural backgrounds for apparent reasons; for example, the toys are safe, durable, green, affordable and, most importantly, educational. However, despite wood's natural anti-bacterial properties, which keep germs away from the surface, you still need to clean wooden toys. While you do not need to clean wooden toys daily, thorough cleaning every couple of weeks is necessary to keep them in good condition. Nonetheless, you should know how to clean wooden toys to avoid damaging them. This article highlights essential tips for keeping wooden toys clean.

Wipe, Don't Soak -- Wood is a highly porous material; therefore, you should avoid leaving wooden toys in water for extended periods of time. If you do, the toys will absorb water, change shape and begin to crack. Additionally, soaking wood toys means that they need more time to dry adequately to avoid the growth of mould. Soaking wooden toys also damages the paint or finish used on the surface. Therefore, rather than soak the toys, use a wet cloth to wipe them down. This prevents wooden toys from getting too wet, which improves durability.

Treat Stains Immediately -- Children play with toys anywhere, increasing the chances of staining. Due to wood's porous nature, liquid stains can sink deep, making it impossible to clean if not attended to early enough. However, a concentrated solution of vinegar and water is excellent for cleaning wooden toys. Spray the solution on a stain and gently scrub it with a sponge. Once you have removed most of the stain, place the wooden toy outside for bleaching by direct sunlight, which removes the remaining blemishes. Be careful not to leave the toy exposed to sunlight for too long because it might end up cracking due to excessive loss of moisture. You can use sandpaper to buff out stubborn stains; however, make sure that you do not leave behind any rough surfaces for your child's safety.

Use Natural Moisturizer -- Wooden toys need moisturizing to prevent excessive drying. However, if you thought that the moisturizer that you use on your wooden furniture could also be used on your child's toys, then you are wrong. Conventional products will make your child ill because they are toxic. The best way to moisturize wooden toys after a good wipe-down is to use natural products, such as olive oil. The oil keeps the surface supple and safe for your child.

Contact a company that sells wholesale wooden toys to learn more.

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