The 6 Most Germ-infested Items Parents Use Every Day (and what to do about them)
It’s no secret that parenting is messy. From soiled diapers to food left unattended in corners, there are always messes. What might surprise you the most is not how you treat your children, but how you handle cleaning.
Recent research examining average households with children aged between 0 and 4 years revealed an alarming truth: everyday parenting products we use, touch, or depend on are crawling. It’s not only your dog bowl or toilet handle that is to blame.
You may be wiping your phone down or cleaning your remote control with a sanitizing cloth regularly, but those items did not even make the list. What are the real culprits? Many of these things are designed for children.
This post will explain the 6 items that are most likely to harbor bacteria. We’ll also tell you how you can make them clean (without going crazy). We’ll also discuss how some dirt may not be a bad thing at all.
Why You Should Care about Germ Hotspots at Home
Let’s talk about that before we move on to the list.
There are germs everywhere, and many are harmless or helpful. Exposure to some bacteria and viruses, especially in babies and toddlers, whose immune system is still developing, can cause illness.
- Gastroenteritis (hello, vomiting bug!)
- Respiratory infections
- Skin conditions like impetigo
- Ear Infection
- Strep throat
- More…
Knowing where germs hide in your home will help you prioritize your cleaning routines. This way, you won’t waste time obsessively scrubbing surfaces that are already clean while dangerous hotspots go unnoticed.
This list may change the way you view your nursery, children’s playroom, and parenting practices.
1. Strollers – The Surprising Top Anti-Germ Collector
Start with the most surprising and disturbing offender: Your stroller.
The humble stroller, whether you call it a buggy, pram, or pushchair, topped the list for the most germ-infested items used by parents. It’s easy to see why. Imagine all the places you take your stroller:
- Public restrooms
- Cafés and restaurants
- Doctor’s offices
- Playgrounds
- Rain, mud, and food courts – sticky fingers
Researchers have found that the bacteria levels in strollers are often higher than those of a public toilet seat. It includes bacteria like E. This includes bacteria such as E.
What to do:
- Wipe hard surfaces down with disinfectant wipes, at least once per week (more frequently if there is food involved).
- Remove all fabric covers and wash them according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
- Do not forget the harness straps. They are often overlooked, kicked, and yet they get chewed up, smeared, or spilled all over them every day.
2. Sippy Cups and Dummies
Think again if you think that putting your child’s sippy cup or dummy in the dishwasher will kill all germs.
Dummies and sippy cups are germ magnets because of a few factors:
- The mouth is directly injected with the syringe.
- Dropped on the floor constantly
- There are often tiny nooks and crannies in these machines that make it difficult to clean them thoroughly.
- Some bacteria may survive a normal dishwasher cycle, particularly if the water does not reach all internal components.
Researchers found mold and yeast inside the valves on sippy cups. This is not something you want near your child’s mouth.
What to do:
- Completely disassemble the cups before washing them.
- Choose designs that are easy to clean or have no valves.
- Regularly sterilize dummies with boiling water or in a sterilizer
- Replace these items frequently, especially after your child has been sick.
3. Soft Toys– Cuddly but Contaminated
Soft toys can be comforting for children. They can also be breeding grounds for dust mites, bacteria, and allergens.
The favorite soft toy of a child goes wherever. It is dragged all over the floor and slept with each night. Sometimes it’s even taken to the bathroom (seriously). And rarely, if ever, is it washed.
Soft toys can also absorb bodily liquids over time (think drool and tears) and develop a “funky” smell. Sounds familiar?
What to do:
- Wash stuffed toys every week on a gentle cycle.
- For toys that cannot be machine washed, clean them on the spot and then sun-dry.
- Rotate soft toys to allow the “favorite one” to be cleaned without causing a disaster.
Pro tip: Before washing, freeze soft toys for at least 24 hours to kill bacteria and dust mites.
4. Diaper Bags– Bacteria On The Go
Your nappy bags might be viewed as a toolkit of sorts for parents. What’s hidden inside those zippered pockets may surprise you.
Diaper bags come into contact with many things: your hands, the hands of your child, changing tables in public places, toilet floors, shopping carts, and car seats. They can hold:
- Dirty nappies for longer than we would like to admit
- Half-eaten food pouches
- Use wipes
- Dirty clothes
In one study, 90% of the diaper bags tested contained coliform bacteria. Yikes.
What to do:
- Empty your diaper bag and wipe it down every week.
- Use antibacterial wipes or spray on the handles and interior of the refrigerator.
- Do not store food in the same compartment as used nappies or other items.
Tip: Use bags that have washable linings or other materials that are more easily disinfectable.
5. Plastic Toys, Small Items with a Big Bacterial Load
Let’s face it: there are plastic toys everywhere. Toys like blocks, figurines, and toy phones are everywhere in the home. They’re also constantly in your child’s mouthToysys may appear to be clean, but they can contain bacteria, mold, and viruses. In one report, staph bacteria were found on more than 80% of the plastic toys that were tested in communal settings.
What’s the problem? Parents don’t clean these items as often as they should, especially if the item “looks clean”.
What to do:
- Soak your toys in warm, soapy water every week. For added protection, add a little white vinegar or disinfectant.
- Dishwasher-safe toys should be used, and they should run on the hot cycle at least once a week.
- Create a system of toy rotation that allows you to clean a batch at a given time, without feeling overwhelmed.
6. Board Books– Secret Havens of Smudges and Snot
Board books are an important part of early literacy, but they can also be sticky and slimy. They’re difficult to clean. They are often flipped through with dirty hands, drool is smeared on the page, and they’re used as plates to serve snacks.
The materials used to make board books are often not moisture-resistant. This makes it difficult to clean them without damaging the material.
What to do:
- Clean book covers and page edges with itbaby-safefe disinfectant wipes.
- Encourage handwashing before reading time.
- Avoid exposing books to food and liquids by storing them away from play areas.
- Buy duplicates of your favorite books or replace heavily used books regularly.
Should Parents be Worried about Germs?
You might be feeling overwhelmed and a little grossed out now that you’ve seen your parenting arsenal as an open Petri dish for potential illnesses.
Not all germs are harmful.
Many pediatricians believe that exposing children to certain bacteria can help build stronger immune systems. The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that an overly sterile environment may lead to allergies and autoimmune diseases later in life. Balance is the key. Knowing where high-risk areas are can help you:
- Prioritise cleaning tasks
- Reduce the risk of illness
- Keep your home healthier without becoming obsessed
Conclusion
Cleaning is part of parenting, which is a big balancing act. These germ hotspots can be intimidating. However, with some simple habits and extra attention, you can make your home cleaner without becoming a full-time disinfectant.
Kids are naturally curious and will explore the world around them. This includes tasting, touching, and, yes, spreading germs. It is important for their development that they explore. It’s not about creating a bubble of sterility, but rather reducing the risk that your child will get harmful infections and allowing them to thrive.
