I just finished reading a recommendation on this website to clean baby toys with bleach and water. However, in the “Cancer Smart Consumer Guide” it says that bleach should be avoided as much as possible. What’s right?
-- Submitted by Lisa in Burlington
A:
(Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, M.D., M.P.H.) In the article “Colds: How They’re Spread and How to Prevent Them,” I based my recommendations for cleaning toys on guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association. Their publication “Caring for Our Children” offers the most definitive health and safety guidelines for childcare. These guidelines are also in agreement with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and all the major childcare organizations.
According to “Caring for Our Children,” the diluted bleach solution has been found to be safe and nontoxic. Since the chlorine evaporates, it does not leave a residue on the toys.
Chlorine bleach is also used in dishwasher detergents (used on utensils, cups and baby bottles) and in laundry detergent (used on clothes and soft baby toys).
If parents feel more comfortable just washing toys in soap and water, that’s fine. But it may not be quite as effective for eliminating germs.
The information provided in the Fisher-Price babygear website is general in nature and only intended for basic informational purposes. If you have specific questions, consult your healthcare provider.
