Here at Bizzy Bee Toys we stock a large range of wooden toys for young children. There are a few reasons that we do this; firstly, we find wood toys are naturally calming and woods natural grain and texture helps to softly activate you childs tactile sense, readying them to learn. Secondly, wooden toys are more environmentally friendly as they are biodegradable and are kind to nature.
Did you ever hear the rumour that plastic toys are cleaner then wooden toys? This actually isn’t true!Wood contains natural anti bacterial properties so it prevents bacteria from multiplying and spreading helping your toys stay cleaner unlike plastic toys where bacteria multiplies and spreads easily. I just want to say that this isn’t a piece about dismissing plastic, we stock plastic toys too and I feel like it has its place in the world but maybe just not in the same volume as it has been before.
To clean your wooden toys all you need to do is use a clean damp cloth and spot clean using a gentle soap or vinegar and water solution of 1 part vinegar/soap to 4 parts water. You usually only need to clean the toys every couple of weeks but if you have a mouthing baby or a high traffic area/toy them it’s best to clean them more regularly. If you need to clean of a stubborn stain then use a water and vinegar/soap solution with ratio of 1:1 and sponge wipe your toy. Once you have finished cleaning, dry your toy with a towel and leave them to air dry and make sure it dries completely. If possible leave your toy in soft sunlight for an hour or two and it will help to kill off even more bacteria.When you clean wooden toys it is important to note that you should never fully submerge them in water or allow them to be soaked for a period of time. It is also important not to use harsh chemicals on wood as doing any of these may cause warping and discolouration.
We consider many of our toys to be of great long lasting quality and so our wish is that the toys you buy here would become much loved heirloom and collectable pieces that can be passed on to the next generation. As wood can sometimes dry out over time it is important to try to maintain it. Applying a small bit of olive oil or beeswax polish every once in a while can help replenish the wood and help it maintain its smooth, soft texture, so when you choose to pass on your much loved toy to someone special they will receive a toy that is has been loved and well cared for.
