Toys and home hygiene
This leaflet has been put together to provide background information and advice on
what to do if there is risk of spread of infection from children’s toys in the home. This
briefing material has been produced for healthcare professionals, the media and
others who are looking for background understanding about infection risks
associated with children’s toys and/or are responsible for providing guidance to the
public on this issue.
What are the risks?
Evidence has shown that toys quite easily become contaminated with microbes. Toys
are passed from child to child and become contaminated through handling or by
children putting their mouths to them. Some germs can remain viable on toys for
some periods of time, and in a number of studies, bacteria and viruses have been
isolated from toys.
It is important, however, not to get neurotic about toys. Children will inevitably pick up
infections, but there are ways in which you can reduce these risks by ensuring that
looking after toys is a part of the household hygiene routine. This is particularly
important where there is an infected child in the home alongside other children who
are healthy, or a child who needs special protection from infection.
Some viruses such as rotaviruses can easily contaminate surfaces either directly or
through droplets from saliva or vomit. These viruses can remain viable on surfaces
such as toys for many hours. For example, cytomegalovirus (CMV) was found on
toys in a classroom immediately after a child had put their mouth on the toy and was
shedding CMV in their saliva. The virus could still be isolated from the toys after 30
minutes.
Contaminated equipment such as play mats, plastic beakers and ball pits can also
contribute to the spread of infection.
Soft toys
Studies on soft toys in a variety of settings such as intensive care units and day care
centres show that soft toys can be contaminated with bacteria, including some
potentially pathogenic species.
Hard toys
Bacteria of the upper respiratory tract have been isolated from hard toys taken from a
general practitioner’s surgery. Toy balls in a day care centre were contaminated with
faeces. Several studies have suggested that hard toys can contribute to outbreaks of
diarrhoea and vomiting. For example, in two different day care centres with an
outbreak of rotavirus, 39% of toy balls were contaminated with the virus.
Hygiene measures
Cleaning of toys and equipment should be included in the regular household cleaning
rota to ensure that they are regularly cleaned. Ideally, toys should be washable. Soft
toys can be put into a washing machine in the hot water cycle. This is particularly
important for children at special risk. Where toys are known to be contaminated, e.g.
where they become contaminated with vomit or faeces, or mucous from a child who
is ill, they must be hygienically cleaned or may even need to be discarded.
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Store toys in a clean container or cupboard.
Ideally, children should have their own toys, rather than sharing them.
Clean toys as frequently as possible, but at least whenever soiled.
Clean hard or plastic toys that have become dirty or dusty by washing thoroughly
with detergent and storing them in a clean and dry place.
Wash soft toys when they become dirty in a washing machine but check the
cleaning instructions first.
Hard toys which are contaminated can be hygienically cleaned by:
 scrubbing the toy with soapy warm water and a brush
 rinsing the toy with clean water
 drying and wiping with alcohol wipes.
Or by,
 scrubbing the toy with soapy warm water and a brush
 immersing the toy in a mild bleach solution, allowing it to soak for around 10 to 20
minutes
 rinsing it well with cool clean water
 air drying the toy.
Or by,
 putting them in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Soft toys which are contaminated can be hygienically cleaned by:
 some soft toys can be cleaned in the washing machine.
 soft toys that have become heavily contaminated may need to be thrown away.
Also:
 playdough should be changed regularly.
 sandpits (indoor and outdoor) should be covered to avoid any contamination (e.g.
from passing animals). The sand should be changed regularly.
 balls from ball pits should be cleaned regularly.
 water play equipment should be emptied at the end of the day and stored in a
clean and dry place.
 all toys and equipment should be added to the regular household cleaning rota.
 don’t put toys back into storage if they look dirty.
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Further reading
 Davies M.W., Mehr S., Garland S.T. and Morley C.J. (2000) Bacterial colonization
of toys in neonatal intensive care cots. Paediatrics 106;e18-e22.
 Hutto C., Little E.A., Ricks R., Lee J.D. and Pass R.F. (1986) Isolation of
cytomegalovirus from toys and hands in a day care centre. Journal of Infectious
Diseases 154;527-530.
 McKay I. and Gillespie T.A. (2000) Bacterial contamination of children’s toys used
in a general practitioner’s surgery. Scottish Medical Journal 45;12-13.
 Van R., Morrow A.L., Reves R.R. and Pickering L.K. (1991) Environmental
contamination in child day-care centers. American Journal of Epidemiology
133;460-470.
 Bastidas et al. 2014 Detection of pathogenic micro-organisms on children's hands
and toys during play. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 116:1668-75.
 Jimeneez et al 2010. Disinfection alternatives for contact surfaces and toys at
child care centers. International Journal of Environmental Health Research.
20(6):387-394.
 Rogers et al. Rotavirus outbreak on a pediatric oncology floor: possible
association with toys. Am J Infect Control 2000;28:378-80.
 Keep it clean and healthy. Infection Prevention and control for
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childcare providers.
www.ifh-homehygiene.org/system/files_force/.../KCHFeb2013.pdf?
 Toy safety and hygiene: Simmons Centre for Hygiene and Health,
Boston, USA,
http://www.simmons.edu/hygieneandhealth/Toy%20Safety%20Tips.p
df
 A clean and healthy start to school
www.ifh-homehygiene.org/.../CleanHealthySchoolsFeb2013.pdf?...
 OIjima M. et al Bacterial contamination of Japanese households and 
related concern about sanitation. Journal of Environmental Health
Research 2002;12:41-52.
 Biranja-Hurdoyal S. Et al Comparative Contamination Rate of Toys in
Kindergartens and Households.nfect Control. 2012 Aug;40(6):577-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.04.337.
IFH home hygiene guidelines and training resources
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Home hygiene - prevention of infection at home: a training resource for carers
and their trainers. (2003) International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene.
Available from: http://www.ifh-homehygiene.com/best-practice-training/homehygiene-%E2%80%93-prevention-infection-home-training-resource-carers-andtheir
Home Hygiene in Developing Countries: Prevention of Infection in the Home and
Peridomestic Setting. A training resource for teachers and community health
professionals in developing countries. International Scientific Forum on Home
Hygiene. Available from: www.ifh-homehygiene.org/best-practice-training/homehygiene-developing-countries-prevention-infection-home-and-peri-domestic.
(Also available in Russian, Urdu and Bengali)
Last updated 2015
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