ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 …would you worry about sanitizing them somehow before giving them to your child? I bought DD8 a ton (seriously, I think it all may weigh a ton) of ancient Egypt Playmobil sets and accessories from eBay, and I'm wondering if I should bother with this. I was thinking of filling the bath with a mild bleach solution and giving them a short soak, but I'm worried about the different parts retaining water in the crevices/joints or any sticker parts being ruined. I'm not a germophobe at all, but there's a little voice in my head that's whispering about any creepy crawlies they might harbor! Then again, most germs don't live for long on hard surfaces, right? And I just don't have time right now to wipe down every single piece with a bleachy rag. Plus, I'm not sure bleach residue on everything is any better than potential germs. And our immune systems are pretty strong. I don't know. WWYD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 This has never occurred to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 This has never occurred to me. It wouldn't have to me either, but this board has made me paranoid about all sorts of things :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tshirtyogapantmama Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I buy stuff used at consignment sales. I use wipes like baby wipes and just wipe down each item. I've done this for everything from books, to legos, to game parts. I then take a rag and wipe of any left over juice/liquid. If something is sticky I might scrub harder with an old toothbrush and soap. I take everything part and let it dry. I've never had any issues with germs or anything like that. I have found a few cookie crumbs but only because I unscrewed the screws to a few toys. It's extreme but my DH is allergic to animal hair so I have to be careful and make sure nothing is on the toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I wouldn't worry in the least. But, I'm not particularly germaphobic. But, on the other hand, bleach breaks down into inert ingredients (basically salt and water) so that isn't a big deal either. Meh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I wouldn't worry about it. It is not worse, but probably better, than toys they play with at children museums and what not. But you might want to know that most of our playmobil (mostly people)went through a bathtub toy stage, and they didn't get damaged in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 When I used to work in daycare, we regularly washed plastic toys in soapy water and then sprayed with a bleach/water mix. Interesting enough, when I worked in a HeadStart program, we had to spray the toys weekly with a commercial disenfectant. We couldn't just use bleach water because it didn't have the proper labeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 When the kids were small, I bought a bunch of Playmobil from Ebay too. I've also gotten Lego kits. I never thought about sanitizing them. I can see why you did though. I know Legos can be cleaned in a light Bleach bath. If you did soak them, would you wipe dry each one as it comes out of the tub? Otherwise you'd have to dump them on a towel to dry, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I wouldn't bother. Most germs don't have a terribly long shelf-life. They've been packed up (for who knows how long), shipped, and have been sitting around your house for how long? I'm not a germaphobe, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThursdayNext Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 If they looked very clean I would not, but otherwise I would soak them in the tub, wipe them down, or run them through the dishwasher. Yes, I run plastic toys through the dishwasher in a mesh zippered bag, the kind you use for delicates in the clothes washing machine. Use the top rack. If Legos are looking sticky, grimy, or dusty, it's an easy way to clean them, but any stickers will be lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Thanks everyone. I think I'll go through them carefully and see how they look. If they look generally clean, I'm going to pass on it. The main problem is time, but they logistics are difficult too. The kids are with me pretty much 24/7, and when they finally fall asleep, I'm usually collapsing right behind them. I can't see how I'd get them done without being spotted, and since this is a huge surprise for her, I really don't want her to catch me doing it. I appreciate the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I wipe off used toys with a vinegar or rubbing alcohol. If there are medium sized pieces that don't have stickers I put it in a mesh bag and run it through the washer with a load of clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I'm not sure if this would work with Playmobil, but I used to put toys I purchased at yard sales through the dishwasher. Little things went into a lingerie bag, which I put in the top rack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 If you decide to wash them, don't wash the ones with stickers on them! :eek: It will not end well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdrinca Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I'd throw them in a lingerie bag in the bath with some soapy water. It seems like the biggest PITA with cleaning them are the tiny, tiny parts. Depending on how tired I am, I might consider letting the kids take a bath with them to clean them off. Our Schleich go aquatic every few months for just that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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