April 03, 2025
Spring Cleaning: Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Kids' Toys
I remember the days when my home was always neat and clutter-free. Then I had children and everything changed. I had less time to clean, and there was suddenly so much stuff! What started as a few infant toys strategically placed in a quiet corner of my living room soon turned into rooms of bins overflowing with toys, games, and stuffies.
While it will still be years before I get my living spaces back to myself, I have luckily discovered some creative ways to deal with the clutter and maintain an organized and attractive home. I’m going to let you in on a few of my kids' toy storage secrets and spring cleaning strategy!
Decluttering kids' toys is a task that I used to move to the bottom of my to-do list because it always seemed so overwhelming. I now know that putting a good cleaning system in place makes the chore much more doable. And whenever I finish, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I’ve also discovered that spring cleaning toys gives me a chance to ensure that my children's toys are safe, clean, and age-appropriate. Implementing toy organization also helps teach my kids responsibility and life skills. Below are my tips and tricks for a stress-free cleanup, safe toy storage, and successful playroom organization.
Why Regular Toy Cleanouts Matter:
I find that it is helpful to sort through children’s toys on a regular basis. This allows me to check for broken toys, deal with recalled items, and locate toys with missing pieces. I always try to make space for potential new items (especially around birthdays and holidays) and implement a toy rotation system to keep playtime engaging and fresh.
Regular toy cleanouts help make my home more functional and keep my whole family from feeling overwhelmed and disorganized. Whenever possible, I try to involve the kids, as this teaches them responsibility and the importance of giving to others.
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Preparing for the Cleanup:
While I am sometimes so motivated (or should I say enraged) by the toy clutter that I want to start throwing things away, I find that making a plan and preparing for a cleanup is a much better way to tackle the chore. The first thing I do is set aside a few hours when I know I will have time to complete my cleaning. I gather everything I need (cleaning supplies, storage bins, and sorting receptacles), so I am not running to the store halfway through the task. I also prepare the kids ahead of time, so that they know what to expect and will not be upset or overwhelmed by the process. If I anticipate that the loss of specific toys may cause a meltdown, I remove these items myself before the clean-up. Putting on upbeat music and engaging in a game of “how much can we fit in the donation bag” also makes cleaning more fun.
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The Sorting Process:
Now it is time to dig in and start putting items into categories. My preferred method is to sort toys according to what I wish to keep, donate, store, and throw away. I tend to dump the contents of the bins on the floor and sort everything at once, but I know that others prefer to go toy by toy. No matter the method, it is helpful to ask these questions:
1. Is the toy safe? - Does it have sharp pieces or broken parts? Has it been recalled?
2. Is the toy age-appropriate? While it can be difficult for parents to let go of items that children were once attached to, it is important to make room for developmentally-appropriate toys. I suggest picking out a few sentimental favorites and packing these away in another part of the house.
3. Does the toy have pieces missing? If so, is it still functional? No one wants to play a game with a half-deck of cards.
4. Is the toy still played with regularly? If it hasn’t been touched in several months, it is probably time to make room for something else.
5. Is there room for the toy? Implementing a one-in, one-out policy to make space for new toys often helps kids understand the benefit of decluttering.
Cleaning and Disinfecting:
Sorting through toys is also a prime opportunity to do some cleaning! I am always amazed at how much dust in my kids' toy bins! As I sort through the clutter, I wipe down both toys and bins (using child-safe cleaning products) and put soft items in the washing machine or wash by hand. I wait until everything is completely dry before putting it away.
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Once I have packed away a few sentimental items, loaded the cars with boxes of donations (that hopefully won’t sit there for months), and filled up a trash bag with broken items, it is time to start organizing. For me, this is the most rewarding step of the whole process.
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Toy storage solutions are not the same for every family and every home. Things to consider before purchasing child-friendly storage include:
- Storage space
- Size of items being stored
- Accessibility and ease of use - Ex. Can a preschooler easily reach and open the storage bin?
- Look, color, and material of storage containers
- Safety of the storage system
A great storage system will ideally look good and grow with the family. Homes with less space may benefit from creative storage solutions such as door-hanging organizers, under-the-bed boxes, and stackable bins. I’ve found that labeling containers and putting objects into categories helps everyone figure out where things should go.
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Maintaining the System Year-Round:
A kids' storage system only works if it can be properly used and maintained by everyone in the house. Encourage children to clean up after playtime or at the end of the day. Be sure to create a regular schedule for toy rotation and cleaning, and store seasonal items.
To find out even more ways to keep your child’s space safe and organized, check out Regalo toy solutions and amazing baby products. Sign up for the Regalo newsletter to receive even more helpful organization tips.