I take the toy or toys that I want out of the house and I hide them.I hide them for a week or two. Allow the solution to sit on the toys for a couple of minutes before wiping it away. I explained why we didn’t want to play with plastic toys anymore (BPA, phthalates, not eco-friendly, etc) and we gathered all the plastic toys and took them away. Stuffed toys should be cleaned promptly and thoroughly to prevent further damage and health problems caused by mold exposure. Some of the more effective cleansers, such as acetone, can also ruin plastic surfaces, especially if they are left on the plastic for too long. This article will show you several ways to remove permanent marker stains from plastic … I begin stuffing toys into ziplock baggies and tucking them into the downstairs closet until all that is left in their room is clothes and books.

If you have something that is oddly sticky, here’s how to clean plastic that has become sticky, like remote controls and hard plastic toys. Another alternative is to just buy one new natural toy as the replacement for the plastic ones.This method is usually a slower process and one that I use when we get a toy that wasn’t approved of. Mold can begin to grow on surfaces as quickly as 24 hours after they are exposed to water. This credit is then used for new natural toys or clothes.It’s best if you box up all those toys so they are out of sight and mind until the sale. If possible, wash with laundry detergent and warm water. Repeat as necessary to get out all the odor. A musty smell is a warning sign that toys or other objects have been exposed to mold. This does not have to be just about plastic toys.This is the method I take with my kids. Clean musty toys in a well-ventilated area.Elizabeth Sullivan has been teaching special education since 2001, specializing in classroom management and behavior. Generally, nobody notices the missing toys and so there’s no tantrum. This is the method I take with my kids. Dry the toys on the clothesline.Inspect toys for stains after laundering and drying. If their bedroom looks and feels better with fewer toys out, would it feel even better with no toys at all?

Collected broken toys are broken down, turned into new consumer goods or donated to charity.

White plastic turns yellow over time due to a chemical reaction that occurs when it is exposed to light, oils, etc.

Tell you child that you no longer want plastic toys but you want to pay them for their loss.How much you pay is up to you and what you think your child will go for. She blogs at When you’ve finished cleaning the headlight with the vinegar mix, wipe the headlights dry with a damp cloth or sponge. The right cleaning method will get favorite toys back in your child's hands in almost no time.Brush off any visible spots of mold or mildew using a rag or whisk broom. Untreated, the mold feeds on organic materials and causes damage.

Explain that in order to have enough room for any new toys, you’ll have to get rid of some of the old ones.This really brings home the idea that your child has more toys than they need and that there are lots of children who would love to just have one toy.This is what my family does. Removing permanent market from plastic is easy, but you also have to be careful. I explained why we didn’t want to play with plastic toys anymore (This method usually helps older kids accept the transition to no plastics. For stubborn smells that take hold of helpless plastic toys, a safe and nontoxic approach is in order.

This will help them dry thoroughly.

We take the plastic toys, old toys, etc to the consignment store and I get store credit in return. Do this outside to avoid scattering mold spores in your home.Hang the stuffed animals on a clothesline or spread them on a blanket in the sunshine. If stains or odors remain, spray the surface with white vinegar and let the toys dry outside. There are a few lucky families out there who were living naturally before kids and therefore did not have to deal with having plastic toys.I made the decision to not allow plastic toys in our house, four years ago. The right cleaning method will get favorite toys back in your child's hands in almost no time. Vinegar has a strong odor that lasts several hours, but it is safe for many materials that could be damaged by bleach or another disinfectant.Vinegar can also be used to remove musty smells from plastic toys.

There are plenty of good things to stick to, but plastic gadgets aren’t on the top of the list. Tell your child that they just have too many toys and there’s not enough room for anything new. Plastic is a porous material so it's easy for dirt, germs and odors to become trapped within it. There are plenty of good things to stick to, but plastic gadgets aren't on the top of the list. Sometimes a simple washing is all that's needed to eliminate the smell, but not always. Spray articles with vinegar and allow to air dry.Chlorine bleach helps to remove mildew and musty smells, but should not be used on most stuffed toys because it can remove color from the fabric.Mold can cause respiratory problems, irritation of eyes, nose, throat or skin and other health problems. You can even incorporate the garage sale into the Pay to Take it Away method; letting your child keep the money earned from the toys.If the toys are still in nice condition then try selling them online through ebay or craigslist.A mother to five kids, Brittany began her journey of living naturally because she wanted the best for her kids. Look through the methods to find one that works best on your particular project. Beyond toys, families can also help their communities and the environment by taking the #LessWasteChallenge pledge, which asks families to reduce their household waste by one pound per week and lead healthier, more zero-waste lives at home. Brush off any visible spots of mold or mildew using a rag or whisk broom. There are a couple of different ways to get rid of this discoloration, ranging from easy to more difficult. I still fear that my children will hate me for this, but every time they surprise me. The combination of baking soda and vinegar won’t hurt you.