Rub-a-dub-dub bacteria from the tub

Before kiddos entered the scene, occasionally turning your eye from the funk growing in the corner of the shower was no big deal. Anything to avoid that monstrous chore, right?

But when adding a little one and an entire underwater toy store to the tub, that harmless little patch suddenly seems like an out-of-control plague that you obsess over each time your guppie hits the waters for bathtime.

Kids touch every surface, chew on every toy, and I’m sure even down a couple swigs of bathwater when you’re not looking.

In honor of our new baby bath toys and accessories from Sassy Baby, baby washcloths from Furnis, and hooded baby towels from 3 Sprouts, here are a few key tips on cleaning and caring for baby bath toys and towels.

Bath toys:
Avoiding porous or difficult to scrub items is key. Stick to larger items like boats, cups, and other hard plastic treasures. And ditch any toy that just won’t come clean – even if it’s a favorite.

• always squeeze out excess water that may collect inside toys
• hang toys to dry in a mesh bag when finished
• toss toys in the top rack of the dishwasher (tip: keep tiny trinkets accounted for in a lingerie bag)
• disinfect toys with a bleach solution once a month and any time you or your child has been ill

Bath towels and washcloths:
Not all mold, mildew, and bacteria has a smell, so the smell test is not a safe one when it comes to cleaning bath towels. And it doesn’t matter how clean you may think you are. Even if you bathed in boiling water and scrubbed with sandpaper, microscopic pieces of skin are embedded into the towel and serve as a feast for bacteria.

• wash towels in warm/hot water at least every 2-3 uses, although after each use is better
• avoid re-using washcloths, as scrubbed dirt and bacteria stay in the fibers until properly sanitized
• tumble dry on low heat for longer to increase the life of the towel
• never use bath towels to clean up messes in the bathroom or otherwise

> Sassy bath toys
> 3 Sprouts hooded baby towels
> Mullins Square hooded baby towels and baby bathrobes
> Furnis baby washcloths