Most teething toys only need warm water, mild soap, and a few minutes of your time to stay clean and safe. The exact method depends on the material, though. Silicone, rubber, wood, and fabric teethers each have different tolerances for heat, moisture, and cleaning agents. Here’s how to handle each one without damaging the toy or leaving behind residue your baby shouldn’t be putting in their mouth.
How Often to Clean Teething Toys
Teething toys go straight into your baby’s mouth, hit the floor, get dragged through a shopping cart, and go right back into the mouth. The CDC recommends sanitizing objects that infants mouth after each use, though careful cleaning after each use can reduce how often you need to fully sanitize. A good rule of thumb: wash a teether every time it hits the ground or gets visibly dirty, and give it a more thorough sanitizing at least once a day during heavy use.
Silicone Teethers
Silicone is the easiest material to clean because it handles heat well. For everyday cleaning, wash with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap, then rinse until no slippery residue remains. A soft brush helps get into textured grooves where saliva and food particles collect.
For a deeper sanitize, drop silicone teethers into a pot of boiling water for about five minutes, then let them air dry completely on a clean towel. You can also use microwave steam sterilizer bags: place the teether in the bag with a bit of water and follow the bag’s instructions for time. Most cycles take two to three minutes. Let the toy cool fully before handing it back. Silicone is also generally dishwasher-safe on the top rack, which makes it convenient for batch cleaning.
Rubber Teethers
Natural rubber is more sensitive to heat than silicone. Dishwashers can cause rubber to deteriorate, so hand washing is the standard approach. Use warm (not hot) water and mild soap, working a clean cloth or soft brush over any textured areas. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue, then air dry.
Some manufacturers say their rubber teethers can be briefly boiled for sterilization, but always check the product’s guidelines first. Repeated boiling can break down natural rubber over time, making the surface tacky or causing it to crack. If you want to sanitize without heat, a diluted white vinegar solution (equal parts water and vinegar) works as a natural disinfectant. Wipe the teether down, let it sit for a few minutes, rinse well, and air dry.
Wooden Teethers
Wood is porous, which means it absorbs water. Submerging a wooden teether or running it through the dishwasher can cause the wood to warp or crack. Instead, wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry it immediately with a clean towel.
To sanitize, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. You can soak the teether in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and let it air dry completely. Wooden teethers also need periodic conditioning to keep the surface from drying out and splintering. Rub a small amount of food-grade oil (coconut oil or olive oil both work) onto the wood with a soft cloth, wipe off the excess, and let it dry fully before giving it back to your baby. How often you need to oil depends on use, but once every few weeks is a reasonable starting point.
Fabric and Plush Teethers
Fabric teethers pick up drool, food, and bacteria faster than hard toys. Most can go in the washing machine, but check the care label first. Use a gentle cycle with warm water and a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. These formulas leave less residue on the fabric, which matters for something your baby will chew on. If the teether has crinkle paper, a squeaker, or any non-washable insert, hand washing is safer.
For hand washing, use warm water and a small amount of the same gentle detergent. Squeeze and work the fabric, rinse repeatedly until the water runs clear, then squeeze out excess water. Air drying is gentler on the material, but a low-heat dryer cycle works for most sturdy fabric teethers. Make sure the toy is completely dry before your baby uses it again, since trapped moisture is an invitation for mold and mildew.
What to Clean With (and What to Avoid)
You don’t need specialized cleaning products. Mild dish soap and warm water handle everyday cleaning for nearly every material. For sanitizing, boiling water (for heat-safe materials), diluted white vinegar, and microwave steam bags cover your bases. Harsh chemical cleaners aren’t necessary and can leave residues you don’t want near your baby’s mouth. Stick with fragrance-free, dye-free options when using any soap or detergent.
Preventing and Spotting Mold
Mold is the biggest hidden risk with teething toys, especially hollow ones with small holes in the bottom. Water gets inside during cleaning or from your baby’s saliva, sits in the dark cavity, and grows mold that you can’t see from the outside. Bath-style squeeze toys are common culprits, but any toy with an opening can trap moisture.
If you buy a hollow teether with a small hole, you have two options: seal the hole with a hot glue gun before the toy ever gets wet, or drill it larger so you can clean and dry the interior after every use. Both approaches work, but sealing is simpler for most parents.
Visible mold looks like dark spots or fuzzy clumps, similar to what you’d see on old food. A foul smell is another giveaway. If you spot a small amount of surface mold on a solid toy, you can try cleaning it with vinegar and scrubbing thoroughly. But if a toy is heavily moldy, or if the mold is growing inside a cavity you can’t reach, throw it away. No amount of cleaning will reliably remove mold from a porous interior, and the spores can irritate your baby’s developing respiratory system and digestive tract.
Keeping Teethers Clean on the Go
At home, a clean countertop and air drying are all you need. Outside the house, things get messier fast. Carry teethers in a small zip-top bag or a dedicated pouch inside your diaper bag so they aren’t rolling around loose against keys, receipts, and whatever else is in there. Bring a spare teether so you have a clean backup when the first one hits a restaurant floor. A small bottle of water and a clean cloth let you do a quick wipe-down on the spot, with a proper wash when you get home.