DEAL OF THE DAY: Here are the 21 best products from Walmart's spring deals
Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Toy Cleaner

Last updated on March 15, 2024

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

If you’ve ever been around babies or young children, you know they put everything in their mouths. Whether it’s stuffed animals or blocks, dolls or cars, almost every part of every toy has been licked, drooled on or rubbed against their face. While this is a way for children to explore, it also a way to spread germs.

Simplemost Media

Toys don’t always stay in one place. Kids take them all over the house, often outside with them to the park and on trips to the grocery store. Some toys go with kids to daycare or school, while others come on buses, subways and planes. During all of this, it’s normal for these toys to pick up germs along the way. When that happens, and kids put those toys in their mouths, or touch those toys and then touch their faces, they can spread those germs to themselves. Colds, flu and other viral illnesses can spread easily on toy surfaces, which is why it’s so important to clean your kids’ toys on a regular basis. In fact, flu germs can actually live on plastic toy surfaces for 24 hours.

Simplemost Media

Viral illnesses aren’t the only germs to worry about either. Bath toys and other toys that get wet, such as toys in the pool or those played with outside, are usually full of bacteria and mold. As a result, you want to make sure you’re cleaning every single toy in the house to keep your kids safe.

There are many ways to clean toys, such as by putting stuffed animals in the washing machine, and some plastic toys in the dishwasher. You can also wash toys in a tub of hot water and soap. In many cases, it’s convenient, environmentally friendly and safe to use a toy cleaning solution. Many toy cleaners require a simple spray and wipe or rinse, so it’s a quick and painless way to sanitize and get rid of germs.

Simplemost Media

Opt for toy cleaners that are biodegradable and that don’t include any phthalates and parabens. You’ll also want to ensure that there are no harmful dyes or scents in the toy cleaners. Remember that babies and young children put everything in their mouths, so you don’t want them to ingest any cleaning agents that could be harmful to them.

Our Picks For The Top Toy Cleaners

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Better Life Biodegradable Plant-Based Toy Cleaner, 2-Pack

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Better Life

Biodegradable Plant-Based Toy Cleaner, 2-Pack

This chemical-free toy cleaner can be used on any surface in the house. It does not contain any alcohol, petroleum solvents, dyes, parabens or SLS/SLES. Plus, it’s strong enough to cut through grease and grime.

Overall Take

Made from Soap Bark, Coconut and CornKeep your family safe with this 100% plant-derived cleaning agent.

 Runner Up

CleanSmart Anti-Germ Unscented Toy Cleaner, 2-Pack

CleanSmart

Anti-Germ Unscented Toy Cleaner, 2-Pack

While some toy cleaners require soaking your baby items, this disinfectant simply requires spraying the toy. It's formulated to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses without leaving any sticky residue behind. Since the cleaner is free of harsh chemicals, it's even approved for use in daycares throughout the country.

Overall Take

Easy to UseUse this toy cleaner on everything from pacifiers to car seats to strollers.

 Strong Contender

Dreft Plant Based Gentle Toy Cleaner, 4-Pack

Dreft

Plant Based Gentle Toy Cleaner, 4-Pack

This toy cleaner utilizes a hypoallergenic formula, so it's safe to use around children and adults with sensitive skin. The cleaner is made using plant-based ingredients that do an excellent job sanitizing everything from rubber ducks to high chairs. Simply spray, wait 60 seconds and wipe!

Overall Take

Stock UpSince this toy cleaner set includes four bottles, it's ideal for daycares, preschools and elementary classrooms.

 We Also Like

IntiMD Paraben-Free Germ Killing Toy Cleaner, 8-Ounce

IntiMD

Paraben-Free Germ Killing Toy Cleaner, 8-Ounce

This toy cleaner wipes away without leaving any sticky residue behind. It's extremely versatile and can be used on much more than just your child's toys. Spray it on your kitchen counter to clean up a spill or use it to wash down your toddler's high chair.

Overall Take

Free of Harsh ChemicalsYou won't find any harmful parabens or sulfates in this high-quality toy cleaner.

What to Look For

  • Safety is the most important element to consider when looking for a toy cleaner. Ensure that there are no harmful chemicals in the cleaning agent, such as glycerin, triclosan, alcohol and parabens. You will also want to avoid sulfates, phthalates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, chlorine and formaldehyde.
  • Opt for a toy cleaner that is hypoallergenic, so that you don’t have to worry about your kids having a reaction to the cleaning solution. Look for toy cleaners that say they are made from gentle and non-irritating ingredients. Often, you can find toy cleaners that are pediatrician and dermatologist tested and approved for best results.
  • Many cleaning solutions have a harsh smell, which can be difficult to work with when you’re cleaning. Opt for scent-free toy cleaners or those that use natural fragrances such as lavender.
  • Consider the size of the toy cleaner bottle when you’re buying, and ensure it meets your needs at home. If you have a lot of hard-surface toys to clean and sanitize, then choose a bigger bottle, around 30 ounces. If you’re looking to clean just a small number of toys, then a smaller bottle around 7 ounces will do the trick.
  • Read the instructions for cleaning carefully. Some toy cleaners just need to be sprayed or rubbed on to the surface of the toy and rinsed with warm water, while others may need the toys to be soaked in the cleaner for a few minutes before rinsing. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to get the best sanitization results.

More to Explore

While it’s important to ensure kids’ toys stay clean, you can also protect your children from germs by educating them about what germs are and how they spread. One of the best ways to help kids understand the importance of staying clean is by proper handwashing. While kids love getting their hands wet, they often don’t wash their hands for long enough to remove all of the germs. Consider teaching them to sing happy birthday twice while washing their hands, which is the correct amount of time to remove any germs. You can also use glitter to represent germs, and show kids how easy they are to spread on hands and surfaces, and how difficult they are to clean.

More to explore