how we clean
Our cleaning motto: We never lend what we wouldn’t borrow.
Toy Washing and Disinfecting Policy and Procedures
Calgary Toy Library (CTL) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for children, families, and employees. CTL will take every reasonable precaution to prevent the risk of communicable diseases within all our locations.
October 2023 Update:
In an effort to preserve the quality and longevity of our items, it is left to the librarian’s discretion whether the standard five-step cleaning process will damage a toy. Toys and games that are intended for children over two years of age and/or contain liquid-sensitive material such as unfinished wood, cardboard, particle board, electronics or paper are visually inspected for signs of contamination and:
Sprayed with sanitizer and wiped with a clean cloth after 10 minutes
Wiped with a cloth sprayed with hydrogen peroxide sanitizer and left to air-dry
If liquid-sensitive items show signs of contamination that cannot be cleaned without damaging the item, they are removed from the inventory.
Please note items meant for children under two and/or items that may be mouthed continue to undergo the below five-step cleaning and disinfection process.
Calgary Toy Library cleaning protocol: January 2022
Purpose
To ensure that all employees and customers are aware of our cleaning protocol.
Application
This policy applies to all employees, and any others persons engaged in business with CTL.
Procedure
The disinfection of toys is vital to ensuring the health and safety of our members as it reduces and mitigates the potential spread of germs and viruses among children and those who may come into contact with them.
We use Alberta Health Services guidelines when selecting cleaning products to be used in concentrate, spray, and wipe form. We currently use a 0.5% accelerated hydrogen peroxide spray.
Some of our toys are fabric or plush-based. These are machine-washed with Tide laundry detergent between each use.
Manual Cleaning and Disinfection
Small toys that can be immersed in water are washed by using the following steps:
1. Sink/Bin - wash with soap and warm water to clean visible dirt
2. Sink/Bin - rinse soap off with clean water
3. Sink/Bin - soak in the disinfectant mixture for the appropriate contact time to disinfect
4. Sink/Bin - rinse using clean water
5. Air dry toys by placing them on a drying tray
Toy Washing Procedures - Cleaning and Disinfecting Large Toys/Equipment
Large toys, wooden toys, etc. that cannot be immersed in a disinfectant solution are washed by using the following steps:
1. Clean with soap and water using a cloth
2. Wipe with a clean wet cloth to rinse
3. Disinfect with approved disinfectant and have it remain wet on the surface for the appropriate contact time.
4. Final rinse
5. Air dry toys