Teething is a normal part of infant development that can cause discomfort. Many parents look for ways to provide relief for their teething baby, including using teething toys. A common question that arises is whether teething toys need to be boiled before use to sanitize them. Here is a quick look at whether boiling is necessary and other tips for keeping teething toys clean.
Do teething toys need to be boiled?
In most cases, boiling teething toys is not required. The CDC and other health organizations do not specifically advise boiling teething toys. As long as you are regularly cleaning the toys, boiling is not needed to sanitize them.
Here are some key points on whether boiling is necessary:
- Boiling is mainly recommended for sterilizing baby bottles, nipples, and pacifiers. The CDC does not include teething toys on its list of items that need sterilization.
- Teething toys pose a low risk of serious illness. Contamination with dangerous bacteria or viruses is uncommon.
- Thorough cleaning with soap and hot water removes most germs from teething toys.
- Plastic teething toys that are dishwasher safe can be sanitized by running them through the dishwasher.
- Boiling may not fully sanitize teething toys anyway. It can be difficult to totally submerge toys and maintain a rolling boil for the recommended 5-10 minutes.
While boiling teething toys is not a must, there are some instances where you may choose to boil or sanitize teething toys. This includes:
- If your baby was recently sick, you may want to boil toys to reduce the spread of illness.
- When first buying used teething toys, boiling helps clean off any leftover saliva.
- For homemade teething toys or toys with crevices that are hard to reach, boiling provides extra sanitizing.
Tips for cleaning teething toys
Instead of routinely boiling teething toys, focus on these effective cleaning methods to keep toys hygienic for your teething baby:
Wash with soapy water
Wash teething toys with warm water and mild soap: antibacterial soap is not needed. Use a washcloth or toothbrush to scrub off any saliva or dirt buildup.
Rinse and air dry
Be sure to rinse off all soap then allow toys to fully air dry before giving back to your baby.Dry toys with a clean towel if needed.
Clean between uses
When your baby finishes using a teething toy, do a quick cleaning. Wipe off drool with a damp cloth and wash with warm soapy water if needed.
Sanitize in dishwasher
If a teething toy is dishwasher-safe, the high heat of the dishwasher can sanitize it. Place toys on the top rack. Avoid using harsh dishwashing detergent.
Use dental tablets
Some parents use denture cleaning tablets to soak and sanitize teething toys. Make sure to rinse toys thoroughly after soaking.
Replace often
Over time, even thoroughly cleaned toys develop small cracks and crevices where germs can hide. Replace teething toys frequently or as soon as they show signs of damage.
Teething toy material guide
Some teething toy materials provide more safety and hygiene benefits. Here is an overview of common teething toy materials:
| Material | Safety | Ease of Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Non-toxic, BPA/phthalate free | Easy to thoroughly wash and sanitize |
| Rubber | Avoid latex due to allergy risks | Prone to hiding bacteria if not regularly cleaned |
| Wood | Avoid types with lead-based paints | Hard to fully disinfect porous surface |
| Plastic | Ensure BPA and pthalate free | Dishwasher safe for easy sanitizing |
| Stainless steel | No chemical risks | Allows thorough cleaning and sterilization |
Silicone and plastic are two of the safest, most hygienic teething toy options since they are non-porous and easy to sanitize.
Teething toy safety tips
In addition to keeping toys clean, also follow these safety guidelines when using teething toys:
- Avoid teething toys with small parts that may break off and become a choking hazard.
- Teething toys should be large enough not to lodge fully into baby’s mouth.
- Inspect toys for any cracks or damage before each use. Throw away at any sign of breaking down.
- Do not attach teething toys to cribs or baby products with strings or cords to prevent strangulation.
- Only allow baby to use a teething toy when supervised by an adult.
- Wash hands before handling teething toys.
- Never share teething toys between babies or children.
Signs it’s time to replace teething toys
Replace teething toys frequently for cleanliness and safety. Look for these signs it’s time to throw away an old teething toy and purchase a new one:
- Cracking, fraying or other damage
- Pieces breaking off from toy
- Holes or punched-through sections
- Fading or deterioration of paint or color
- Warping or other changes in toy shape
- Cloudy appearance in clear silicone toys
- Mold or mildew visible on toy
For inexpensive teething toys made of rubber or plastic, replace every 1-2 months with regular use. Higher quality silicone or stainless steel teething toys may only need replacement every 3-6 months.
Best practices for teething toy usage
In addition to keeping toys clean, also follow these best practices when letting your baby use teething toys:
- Always supervise baby while using teething toy.
- Offer different textures such as silicone, plastic, or wood.
- Refrigerate toys for added soothing. Do not freeze.
- Try toys with varying shapes, textures, and sizes.
- Clean gums with wet washcloth after using toy.
- Use toys designed for specific teething stages.
- Never dip toys in honey or sugar due to botulism risk.
Common questions about cleaning teething toys
Should you use bleach to clean teething toys?
Bleach is not recommended for cleaning most teething toys. Bleach can be harsh, corrode materials, and must be thoroughly rinsed off the toy. Simple soap and water are effective for routine cleaning.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to disinfect teething toys?
Rubbing alcohol can disinfect some hard plastic or stainless steel teething toys. But it should not be used on most silicone, rubber or painted toys since it can damage the material. Warm soapy water works well for routine disinfecting.
Is it safe to use antimicrobial spray on teething toys?
Spraying teething toys with antimicrobial, antibacterial or antifungal spray is generally not recommended. Residues from these sprays could end up in baby’s mouth. Simple soap and water removes most germs.
Should teething toys be kept in the freezer?
Freezing teething toys provides added soothing relief for baby’s gums. However, frozen toys can pose safety risks including frostbite on gums. It is safer to refrigerate teething toys to cool them.
Can you use steam to sterilize teething toys?
Using a steam sterilizer or steam bag is an effective way to sanitize many types of teething toys. Steam provides thorough heat contact to kill germs without chemicals. Be sure toys are BPA-free before steaming.
Is it okay to sanitize teething toys in the microwave?
Microwaving can damage many teething toys, causing plastic to warp or foam to melt. Only microwave toys if specifically labeled as microwave-safe. Steam sterilizing or boiling in water are safer options.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning teething toys with mild soap and water removes most germs and keeps them safe for your baby to chew on. Boiling or sterilizing teething toys through other methods is typically not required. Focus on inspecting toys for damage, replacing them frequently, and following toy usage safety tips. With proper hygiene habits, teething toys can soothe your baby’s gums without posing health risks.