The Unexpected Joy of Cleaning Second-Hand Toys (And Why It Looks Like a Party)
Something rather amusing happened in my kitchen yesterday. While attempting to clean some second-hand wooden pull-along toys for my nephew, I inadvertently created what looked like the world’s most wholesome toy party. Picture this: several wooden animals, all gathered around a soapy basin, their pull cords dangling in the water like they’re sharing a giant communal drink or participating in some secret toy ritual.
The whole scene started because I’d picked up these delightful wooden toys from the Camberwell Market last weekend. They’re beautiful pieces - the kind that should last generations, unlike the plastic stuff that seems to break before you’ve even finished opening the packaging. But being second-hand, they needed a bit of TLC, particularly those grotty pull cords.
My first attempt at cleaning them was, admittedly, rather naive. I just dumped them in some warm, soapy water and hoped for the best. Spoiler alert: that didn’t work. The dirt seemed to be having a permanent holiday in those cords, refusing to budge despite my best efforts.
After seeking advice online, I discovered a whole community of people equally invested in toy cleaning techniques. The suggestions ranged from practical (using a toothbrush) to scientific (isopropyl alcohol soaks). What really got me though, were the comments about what my cleaning setup looked like. “A toy hot tub party,” someone called it. Another suggested it looked like a nature documentary scene at a watering hole. My personal favourite was the suggestion that they were all gathered around a witch’s brew - “Double, double, toys and trouble, pull cords soak and dish soap bubble.”
Looking at sustainable parenting choices often means navigating between idealism and practicality. While new toys come with that pristine cleanliness we all love, there’s something deeply satisfying about giving pre-loved toys a second life. It’s not just about saving money - though finding quality wooden toys at market prices definitely makes my bargain-hunting heart sing - it’s about reducing waste and teaching our kids that new isn’t always better.
The winning solution turned out to be a combination approach: a soft-bristled toothbrush (one of those ones specifically kept for cleaning, not the one I use for my teeth, obviously), some eco-friendly dish soap, and a dash of isopropyl alcohol for sanitising. It took some patience and elbow grease, but watching those cords gradually return to their original colour was oddly satisfying.
The whole experience has reminded me that sometimes the most mundane household tasks can turn into moments of unexpected joy and community connection. Who knew that cleaning some toy cords could lead to such entertaining discussions and creative Shakespeare adaptations?
Those toys are now sitting on my kitchen counter, drying and looking much fresher than when I started. They might not be absolutely pristine - but then again, they’ll probably be covered in sticky fingerprints within days of reaching their new owner anyway. And that’s exactly as it should be. Toys are meant to be played with, not preserved in museum-like condition.
Maybe next time I’ll arrange them in a different formation for cleaning - though I doubt I’ll ever top today’s accidental toy party scene. At least now I know how to handle dirty pull cords, and I’ve got a photo that’ll make me smile every time I look at it.