Taking Care of Teethers: Cleaning and Storing
Now that you're in the full swing of teething with your baby, you are noticing that you are constantly picking up teethers from the floor of your home, car, and everywhere else. You're also noticing that you're tossing them into diaper bags, clipping them to your baby's onesie, and keeping one handy in the stroller. Since teethers are, obviously, something that goes in your baby's mouth, it is important to make sure they are clean and stored properly when on the go. This blog breaks down some teether care basics, so read on if you're wondering how to keep your baby's teethers as healthy as possible—and how our TPE teethers make it super easy for you!
The Reality Check of Unhygienic Teethers
As parents, we can be very busy and forgetful when it comes to simple things, even our baby's teethers. Letting a few days go without cleaning their water bottle, letting the car pile up with crumbs, and accidentally leaving their teether on their jacket clip are all within the realm of things normal parents do!
However, it is important to make sure you clean your baby's teethers often and make it part of your daily clean-up routine.
Here's why:
- Bacterial and Viral Growth: Saliva, dropped germs, and food particles stick to the teether and multiply fast.
- Stomach Illness: Chewing on a dirty toy transfers germs straight into your baby's mouth, which can lead to diarrhea or vomiting.
- Mold Development: Moisture trapped inside hollow or fluid-filled teethers can grow hidden mold, causing respiratory irritation or allergic reactions if swallowed.
- Thrush or Oral Infections: Unwashed surfaces can reintroduce fungi or bacteria, aggravating a baby's sensitive gums and mouth.
Wondering how often to clean your baby's teethers? Here's a quick guide:
- After every use, rinse with warm water to get rid of old saliva, milk, or food pieces.
- Every day, clean with soapy water or, if your teether allows it, put it in the dishwasher with the day's load.
- Clean immediately if the teether has touched the ground, comes into contact with pets, or is handled by someone else besides your baby.
How Should I Store My Baby's Teethers?
When you're on the go, it is hard to not allow your baby's teether to come into contact with the elements. This is why teething leashes are so important, so that they can stay clean, within arm's reach of your baby, and you won't lose it.
However, whenever it is possible, pack up your baby's teether when you are on the go. Their clothes aren't always clean, and neither are their car seat or stroller.
Some simple ways you can store your baby's teether on the go include:
- A simple Ziploc plastic baggie that hasn't been used for anything else
- Reusable silicone bag that has been thoroughly cleaned first
- Travel cases, which come with some teether brands
Also, make sure you never pack up a wet teether. Make sure the teether dries completely first, whether that is by hand or air-dried. Trapped moisture can create problems such as mold or mildew!
How Should I Clean My Baby's Teethers?
As mentioned before, it is important to clean your teethers every day with soapy water, rinse after every use, and clean them immediately after they touch the ground.
With most teethers, you should be able to hand wash it with warm, soapy water with no issues. Of course, check with your teether brand to see how they recommend you clean it. If your teether has holes or hollow parts, avoid submerging it in water, as it can create mold and mildew issues. With these particular teethers, just wipe the surfaces clean and dry completely as to avoid toxic mold issues.
Wood teethers should never be submerged in water or washed with hot water, as it can cause splitting and splintering issues. Gel teethers should never be boiled or cleaned in the dishwasher. With both of these styles of teether, just wipe the surfaces clean by hand.
For a stress-free teether that can easily be cleaned and sanitized without worry, silicone is the way to go. Silicone is naturally antimicrobial, odor-resistant, and super easy to clean and sanitize.
Our entire line of Innobaby Oral Development Teethers can be popped in the dishwasher or boiled to sanitize!