Highlights
- Toys can carry more germs than toilets: Studies found toys in hospitals and daycares with over 600 CFU/cm² of bacteria — up to 12× more than a toilet seat.
- Health risks for children: Contaminated toys can spread stomach bugs, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses, especially during cold and flu season in Canada.
- Limitations of QAC disinfectants: While commonly used (Lysol®, Mr. Clean®), quats don’t kill all pathogens, and skipped rinsing can leave invisible residues behind.
- QAC residues pose risks to kids: Young children may ingest 14–55× more QACs than adults, raising risks of skin, respiratory, and digestive issues.
- Why HOCl is safer: CleanSmart’s hypochlorous acid spray kills a broader range of germs (even C. difficile) without leaving harmful residues — safe for teething toys, plush animals, and bath toys.
- Canadian-made solution: Health Canada–approved, non-toxic, and trusted by Canadian parents, CleanSmart HOCl spray makes toy cleaning fast, safe, and effective.
Toys Can Harbor More Germs Than Toilet Seats
Some toys in hospitals and daycares have been found with over 600 CFU/cm² of bacteria, while a clean commercial toilet seat typically has only 50–200 CFU/cm² (Gerba et al., 2006; Otter & Yezli, 2013). That means your baby’s favourite plaything could harbour up to 12 times more germs than a toilet seat.
And it’s not just “harmless dirt.” These bacteria can cause stomach bugs, ear infections, or even respiratory illnesses. While most parents are cautious about toilet seats, few realize toys — especially ones in daycares, hospital waiting rooms, or even at home — can be a bigger germ hotspot.
For parents and caregivers, keeping children’s toys clean is about more than appearances — it’s about protecting their health. In Canada, especially during cold and flu season, toys can quickly become germ magnets. And while many households and facilities use conventional disinfectants, not all cleaning agents are created equal. One important — and often overlooked — difference lies in the chemical residues that can remain on toys after cleaning.
How Canadians Commonly Disinfect Toys
In our last article, we discussed that Canadians often use two main classes of disinfectants for toy cleaning: Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) and chlorine bleach. We’ll be covering bleach in more detail in an upcoming post.
Across Canada, it’s common for parents, daycare staff, and early childhood educators to rely on quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) sprays or wipes for toy cleaning. These are found in many household disinfectants, including products marketed specifically for children’s playthings. Labels might list ingredients like:
- benzalkonium chloride, or
- alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
Common brands include:
- Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner,
- and some Mr. Clean® products
These chemicals are effective against many bacteria and some viruses, but not all. Health Canada guidance notes that quat-based cleaners are less effective against non-enveloped viruses (like Norovirus) and bacterial spores (like C. difficile). They are also most effective when used exactly as directed — which means toys should be rinsed thoroughly after application. Unfortunately, this step is often skipped, leaving chemical residues behind.
The Hidden Risks of QAC Residues on Toys
Peer-reviewed research shows that young children may have 14–55 times higher daily uptake of QACs compared to adults, due to their behaviour (frequent hand-to-mouth contact) and smaller body size. For children three years old and younger, repeated contact with QAC residue on toys can increase the risk of skin irritation, respiratory issues, and digestive problems if ingested.
Because QAC residues are invisible and odourless, parents may not realize they’re there. A toy may look clean, but still carry enough residue to potentially cause harm over time. This is one of the biggest differences between quat-based disinfectants and safer alternatives.
Why Hypochlorous Acid Spray is a Safer Alternative
CleanSmart’s hypochlorous acid spray kills a broader range of microbes — including bacteria, viruses, and even tough pathogens like C. difficile spores — without leaving harmful residues. It’s food-surface contact safe, meaning you can use it directly on teething rings, plush animals, bath toys, or daycare play items without rinsing. This makes toy cleaning faster, easier, and safer.
Unlike bleach, it won’t damage fabrics or discolor surfaces. Unlike QACs, there’s no risk of chemical buildup on toys your child handles daily. And unlike alcohol-based products, it won’t cause strong fumes or dry out delicate skin.
Our Toy & Nursery Collection includes solutions designed specifically for cleaning infant and bath toys. Parents who use CleanSmart for nurseries and toys often also reach for our 500ml Pure Stabilized HOCl Spray — a versatile favourite that’s trusted for safe cleaning all around the home. For other applications, explore our Other HOCl Collection.
Canadian Parents, Canadian Solution
CleanSmart is proudly Canadian, meeting Health Canada standards for safety and effectiveness. For parents looking for Canadian cleaning products that balance germ-killing power with child safety, hypochlorous acid spray is a proven alternative.
Make toy cleaning part of your weekly routine — or daily for items that go in your child’s mouth. Bath toys should be emptied and sprayed after every use to prevent mould. With hypochlorous acid spray, keeping toys germ-free has never been simpler. Among our products, many parents trust the 500ml Pure Stabilized HOCl Spray as their go-to safe toy disinfectant — Health Canada–approved and non-toxic. Browse our Toy & Nursery Collection to find safe, effective disinfectants trusted by Canadian families who want a safer, smarter way to clean.
To learn more, visit our Contact Us page.
Sources:
- Otter, J.A. & Yezli, S. (2013). Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens… American Journal of Infection Control 41(5 Suppl), S6–S11. PDF: AJIC Journal
- Ibfelt, T., et al. (2014/2015). Effect of cleaning and disinfection of toys on infectious diseases and microorganisms in daycare nurseries. Open-access full text: PMC (publisher abstract on ScienceDirect here: ScienceDirect).
- Ledwaba, S.E., et al. (2019). Bacterial Contamination of Children’s Toys in Rural Day Care Centres and Households in South Africa. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. Open-access: PMC
- Martínez-Bastidas, T., et al. (2014). Detection of pathogenic micro-organisms on children’s hands and toys during play. J. Appl. Microbiol. PubMed: PubMed
- Boone, S.A. & Gerba, C.P. (2007). Significance of fomites in the spread of respiratory and enteric viral disease. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Open-access: PMC
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Gerba, C.P., et al. (2006). Microbial contamination of toys in child care centers. Journal of Environmental Health 68(10): 40–44. Journal homepage (table of contents access via membership): Neha