Cleaning & Maintenance
Wooden toys require careful cleaning and maintenance due to their natural structure. When the right methods are used, these toys can be used safely and securely for many years. Below are the points you should pay attention to when cleaning and maintaining your wooden toys.
Cleaning Tips
When cleaning your wooden toys, you can follow these steps:
- Cleaning with a Damp Cloth: You can clean wooden toys by gently wiping them with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid using too much water to prevent the wood from absorbing the water and causing damage.
- Natural Disinfection: It is safer to use natural materials instead of chemical cleaners. You can disinfect toys with a soft cloth by preparing a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water.
- Using Soapy Water: You can add a few drops of natural soap to warm water and wipe the toys with this mixture. Don't forget to wipe again with clean water to remove soap residue.
- Do Not Wash Toys: Soaking wooden toys in water or washing them thoroughly can cause the wood to swell. Instead, always wipe them with a slightly damp cloth.
- Natural Drying: After cleaning, wipe the toys with a dry towel and let them dry naturally in a place with air flow. Keep away from sunlight and excessive heat.
Care Tips
To protect your wooden toys and ensure their longevity, you can consider the following maintenance suggestions:
- Prevent Cracking: To prevent the wood from cracking, you can apply natural oil (olive oil, coconut oil) or beeswax to toys a few times a year. This will help keep the wood moist.
- Regular Maintenance: It is sufficient to maintain wooden toys 2-3 times a year. However, you can increase this frequency for toys that are used frequently.
- Protect from Sunlight: Keep wooden toys away from direct sunlight. Leaving them in the sun can cause the wood to dry out and fade.
- Damage Repair: If there are small cracks or roughnesses, you can smooth these areas by lightly sanding them with fine sandpaper. Then protect the toy with natural oil or beeswax.
