Use white vinegar or apple cider diluted with water, to disinfect your wooden toys, then air dry or well wipe with a cloth.
Small Blocks
Dunk repeatedly and soak in antibacterial dishwashing soap. Rinse with clean water and air dry in a single layer. Dispose of water appropriately. Put the Blocks into the Small mesh bag and place in the top rack of dishwasher for a cycle.
Keep a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar handy for easy cleaning and sanitizing. Hydrogen Peroxide – 3% hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a bacteria-killer. To kill the germs on your cutting board, use a paper towel to wipe the board down with vinegar, then use another paper towel to wipe it with hydrogen peroxide.
In a bowl, mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring it out so it's damp. Wipe down the wood furniture, making sure to avoid getting it too wet. Use a clean cloth to wipe dry, ensuring no water lingers.
A mixture of 1 part Chlorine Bleach, (Clorox) to 32 parts water (½ cup bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water) will need to sit on surfaces for 5-10 minutes in order to disinfect them. We found this did not harm either of our wood finishes.
Fortunately, there's a simple and effective solution that you probably already have in your pantry: vinegar. Vinegar is a natural and effective cleaning solution for wood furniture, as it can remove bacteria, dirt, and grime without harming the wood.
Spray the butcher block surface lightly with undiluted distilled white vinegar. The acetic acid of the vinegar will help kill bacteria and sanitize the surface.
To disinfect, use either pure white vinegar or a mixture of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water. Note that any vinegar other than pure white vinegar may impart smells to your board that are undesired.
A word of warning! Please don't put your LEGO® pieces in the washing machine or dishwasher, and don't try to dry them in the oven, the microwave or with a hair dryer.
There are three methods of using heat to sanitize surfaces – steam, hot water, and hot air. Hot water is the most common method used in restaurants.
Fill the dishpan with water no hotter than 104℉ (per the LEGO website). Swirl or stir the bricks in the detergent solution for three to five minutes. Pour off the detergent solution, and then rinse with clean water until the water is clear and free of suds.
Vinegar has been proven to have some disinfectant properties, however it's not nearly as effective at killing harmful viruses and bacteria as commercial cleaners. And because it does not kill 99.999 percent of bacteria and viruses, it doesn't meet the criteria required to be considered a disinfectant.
Scrub the wood down using soapy water or a combination of detergent, bleach, and water to clean the wood. Always remember to protect yourself with proper safety equipment from the fumes of the cleaner and any mold spores. If the wood isn't cleaned the first time, don't be afraid to restart the process.
Building blocks, LEGOS, large non electronic plastic toys can generally be washed in the dishwasher. Simply use a mesh bag or colander and wash in the upper drawer. It is recommended to use 1/4 cup of baking soda instead of detergent in this case, and let them air dry rather than using the heat setting.
Acidity and Wood Damage: ACV is acidic, and prolonged exposure to acids can potentially damage wood surfaces. However, occasional use of diluted ACV for cleaning should not harm the wood. It's important to rinse the board thoroughly with water after cleaning to prevent the vinegar from sitting on the wood for too long.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful natural cleaning and disinfecting agents. Health professionals trust it against harmful bacteria, antigens, and viruses. It's used for a variety of disinfecting jobs, including cleaning cuts, removing earwax, and promoting dental hygiene.
Commercially available 3% hydrogen peroxide is a stable and effective disinfectant when used on inanimate surfaces.
To disinfect your Traditions Butcher Block after cleaning, use Lysol® or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. These wipes report to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Alkaline detergents (pH 8-14) are particularly suitable for use in butcher shops, as they are highly effective against proteins and fats. Alternately, however, an acidic detergent (pH 0-6) should be used to remove mineral deposits or rust that may result from the use of the large amounts of water during cleaning.
Safe Cleaning
It's important to dilute these substances properly. Too much vinegar can potentially dull the wood finish over time due to its acidity, while too much Dawn can leave a slippery residue. The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn.
One such option is the Lysol® Clean and Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner which comes highly recommended for cleaning wooden furniture.