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Keeping Clean
Is That Rubber Ducky Squeaky Clean?
By Valerie K. O' Berry
Vicky's strategy is a good one, according to William Pomputius, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Although he says that parents should not worry about their kids getting sick from their bath toys (most kids don't), that it's best to avoid toys that are not completely sealed -- which includes rubber ducks that squeak.
"Bath toys can be repositories for mold, and a lot of children are allergic to mold. Otherwise, I don't think it's a problem," Pomputius says.
Pomputius explains that there are naturally occurring bacteria everywhere -- in your soap dish, sink and basically, anywhere there's water. "But a little exposure to dirt is kind of good," he says. You need to be exposed to germs in order to build up your immune system. And, unless a child has an immune problem, they are unlikely to get sick from the bacteria on their bath toys.
However, if your toddler is prone to allergies, or if you just don't like the thought of your child touching toys that may have bacteria, mold or mildew in them or on them, there are several things you can do:
- Rinse toys each night after use and let them air dry. Many bacteria that thrive on wet surfaces actually die once the surface is dry.
- Put the bath toys in the dishwasher and run them through a normal cycle with soap once a week (more often if you like). "Dishwashers are great. They heat the water to about 160 degrees and dirt and bacteria go down the drain," Pomputius says.
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Re: Keeping Clean by anonymous on 01/18/2009 11:54PM
Keep the rubber duckie clean by shampooing it.