Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

Would you use Lysol disinfectant spray on a stuffed animal and then wipe it down with a damp washcloth? I kinda blew my fuse that my MIL was doing this and my DS likes to teethe on the floppy ears of the animals. Too many chemicals! She was annoyed and said that he never chews on stuffed animals. He has stopped putting a lot of things in his mouth but like I said, he chews the ears. I feel bad because I am the one who is a germophobe and I'm always saying that everything needs to be cleaned. I am sure she considers this to be a mixed message. I found a product called "Teddy Bear Cleaner," but I have not tried it yet.

edited for spelling

Message edited 6/13/2009 10:19:02 PM.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

No. I throw them in the wash.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

I throw them in the wash or wash by hand.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

That is very dangerous. Lysol is not to be sprayed on material surfaces, esp that a child may play with or ingest.

I throw them in the wash but you gotta watch out to make sure nothing loosened up on the toy.

Also there is a product called Germ Sanitizer that if for a nursery that you put toys in and it kills germs with dry heat. I have yet to buy it but think about doing it.

I too am a germaphobe so I hear ya. But the thought of my child ingesting chemicals scares me even more. And if you tell your MIL he chews on them, then you would know. you are his mom, she needs to listen.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

we don't let DS play with delicate stuffed animals... he'll only have access to them once he's past his drooly/sticky phase.

We don't leave him alone with stuffed animals within reach... when we go to the bathroom exc, he only has chew toys / hard objects around. all are easily cleaned in the sink.

and honestly, we don't clean them all that often. I'm only a germaphobe in public. at home, I want him to experience a bit of environmental bacteria... hopefully, it will stimulate his immune system and limit the development of allergies.

and I agree with others... I would never lysol anything that is DS's. (I also wouldn't use bleach.) Simple rinsing and maybe a tad of detergent or dish liquid... that's it.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

My mom washed a few of DS's stuffed animals in the wash. I think she put them in those net things, like the ones you put lingerie in. The sweater on one of the teddy bears shrank slightly but they are in tact.

Message edited 6/13/2009 10:53:36 PM.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

I only use the breast pump cleaning wipes that you mention to clean stuffed animals. I would NEVER use Lysol on anything baby except the diaper pail.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

I wash all his stuffed animals in the washer. I did it with his beloved Mr. Lion because he was chewing him to such a disgusting mess when he was a baby. Mr. Lion had a music box inside, but I had to do it. His music box didn't make it and I performed surgery to remove it.

He has a huge, stuffed puppy that is bigger than him. He takes that puppy everywhree in the house and sleeps on him in the crib. Puppy gets washed a few times per month. He dries well, thankfully. And we are lucky we have one of those large capacity washers.

Re: Help settle a debate re: cleaning stuffed animals

I put stuffed animals in the washing machine in one of those mesh bags on a gentle cycle. No issues yet! I've also used breast pump wipes and dreft wipes on toys.

ETA: FYI, if you e-mail dreft and request coupons, they'll send them to you (not good on detergent, though).

Message edited 6/14/2009 6:36:04 AM.