Wooden toys can be great for the health of your kids. Wooden toys are generally softer and have a soft, natural texture which is great for protecting the fragile skin on their delicate little gums.
Rubber toys can cause discomfort and infection in some children. The same can be said about plastic toys. These materials provide a protective barrier between the child and the environment that they’re in, and there is the danger of breakage if these materials are too firm or too hard.
So, how does one know whether or not a wooden toy is wooden toys antibacterial? Is there an easy test that one can perform to determine if a toy is antibacterial?
There isn’t, but there are a few things you can do to check whether or not a wooden toy is antibacterial. First of all, do you find that the manufacturer labels of wooden toys have any information concerning disinfecting? Do they actually list what kind of disinfectant they use? If they do, and it isn’t bleach, is it compatible with the environment?
Are the toys non-porous? Many wooden toys today are made from synthetic materials. Some plastics and vinyl also react with the bacteria that are found on our hands and in our mouths.
These toys don’t get well in these conditions and can break down and deteriorate quickly. This is why the wooden toys that are antibacterial are typically those that are made from wood, even though those that aren’t can still be used as long as they are thoroughly cleaned.
Is antibacterial soap safe for use on toys? Antibacterial soaps can cause problems with bacteria, but they can also lead to irritation in the sensitive skin on the skin of the child, which can further encourage the growth of bacteria. Some companies have come up with products that are soap free, however, these products often contain additives that make it harder for children to clean their toys with them. Although it is recommended that children bathe frequently with antibacterial soap, if they aren’t able to clean up spills quickly, it is best to simply throw the toy away.
Does antibacterial agent means that the toy must be absolutely antibacterial? No, but it does mean that the toy can’t have any kind of wood that is also synthetic. If the wood is synthetic, then the toy isn’t necessarily antibacterial, but it’s worth using to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Is there a cut off point for using antibacterial soap on a wood based antibacterial toy? There is no cut off point but simply wash the toy thoroughly with plain water.
Although the chances of the toy becoming infected with bacteria is small, a simple soap and water cleaning doesn’t negate the fact that an antibacterial toy is antibacterial. The material of the toy and how it interacts with the environment are what makes the difference between a toy that are antibacterial and one that isn’t.
Most wooden toys will be fine. Just be sure to keep up with cleanliness and if you don’t, don’t hesitate to throw the toy away and buy another one.