ONCE you become a parent, the world might suddenly seem like a filthy, germ-ridden place.
And most parents have long suspected the ball pit at the local soft play centre of being a breeding ground for germs.
To keep your little one healthy, it’s good to know how to tackle germs – and which play spots are most riddled with them.
Queen of clean Lynsey Crombie, who was a professional cleaner for eight years, finds cleaning therapeutic and on her down days, it really helps lift her spirits.
The author and TV cleaning expert said you can literally clean everything with a good antibacterial washing up liquid.
Lynsey, who shares her cleaning tips on her Instagram lynsey_queenofclean, said the beauty of cleaning is that she gets a great result with a lovely tidy and clean home.
The cleaning expert also revealed the top seven worst play spots for kids that are likely to be riddled with germs.
SOFT TOYS
Lynsey explained that soft soft toys can be a breeding ground for bacteria. She said: “Kids often take them out with them, leave them on tables in coffee shops and drop them on the floor.
“Kids often put them in their mouth, which can then cause food poisoning or take them to bed where they can irritate their skin.”
INDOOR PLAY CENTRES
Indoor play centres are another popular kids spot, riddled with germs.
Cleaning expert Lynsey said they are a “huge germ magnet and rarely cleaned.”
She revealed: “I’ll never forget when my son was playing in a ball pit and he found a poo in there once! He never went in one again.
“No indoor play centre encourages staff to clean every single ball on a daily basis and kids are often in these pits with unwashed hands, viruses and snotty noses.
“If your child loves going to these places, change and shower them when they get home and have specific socks for them.”
LEGO
Another popular kids toy that could be riddled with germs, is Lego.
The cleaning expert explained that dirty hands and sharing, means Lego is often dirty. Plus, the thought of cleaning all those bricks is often a big ‘NO NO’ for most parents!
Lynsey said: “If Lego is built and left untouched, it can accumulate a lot of dust causing allergies in kids' bedrooms.
“You can dust Lego easily using a recycled makeup or paint brush and wash Lego using mesh bags in the dishwasher or washing machine or by putting a load in the bath and drying using a few big towels.”
NIBBLED STATIONERY
Children are often found having a little nibble on the ends of pens and pencils that are in the arts and crafts areas.
But these are full of germs, revealed cleaning expert Lynsey.
She explained that stationery touches germy hands and therefore, will be transferring bacteria and germs to your child’s mouth as they naturally go to chew them.
TABLETS
Tablets are often one of kids’ most favourite toys – plus, it’s great for parents as the games and apps can be educational and fun.
But Lynsey said they’re riddled with germs.
She said: “Tablets have been known to be dirtier than your toilet seat and these days most parents allow their child tablet time to keep them occupied when busy.
“Most touch screens are filthy and need a regular wipe!”
BOOKS
Another popular kids’ item that can be riddled with germs, are books.
Lynsey explained that funghi has been known to be found on books, especially if using a library as the book would have been in many hands.
But she suggested that parents could leave books outside in some cold air to give them a natural freshen up.
PLAY MATS
Play mats and play tiles can also have a build-up of germs, mould, bacteria and dust.
Lynsey suggested: “As vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it is a good way to safely clean them and it will get rid of any mould patches.”
However, the cleaning expert revealed kids' parks are ‘not too bad’ in terms of germs as cold fresh air kills germs as well as the UV light from the sun.
As long as parents carry hand sanitizer with them and wash their hands when they get home, this should suffice.
She also revealed her top tips for cleaning kids’ toys that are most riddled with germs.
She said: “You can put most toys in the washing machine on a low heat and quick wash to kill the germs.
“For soft toys that can’t be put in the washing machine, you can use a steam cleaner and plastic toys can be washed in warm soapy water or even added to the top shelf of your dishwasher.
“If you have mesh laundry bags, you can put Lego in these and clean the pieces in the washing machine.
“White vinegar or rubbing alcohol is a natural disinfectant so it’s great for using safely on kids toys.”
Follow Lynsey on Instagram to see more of her cleaning tips and tricks.
Meanwhile, you’ve been washing your bed sheets all wrong… and the right way makes them smell amazing.
And a cleaning-mad mum shares the £1 cleaning products you need to make your home spotless.
Also, you’ve been cleaning your floor wrong…woman shares simple hack to get sparkling floors in seconds.
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