Deep clean all the kid things

Spring has us in the mood to degrime.

Brushes & combs

First, remove as much of the hair from brushes and combs as possible; the pointy end of a rat tail comb will help dislodge hair and buildup stuck between bristles. In a large bowl filled with hot water, add a cup of white vinegar and soak for 15 minutes. Use an old toothbrush to scrub out the gunk, then rinse and air dry. Note that some paddle brushes might have removable parts that allow for thorough cleaning.

Water bottles

Invest in a good bottle brush. Older styles lean toward wire and plastic bristles, which can rust and degrade. Look for a food-safe, dishwasher-safe one you can use to reach the sludge at the bottom of the bottles. Silicone is a popular choice.

Backpacks & diaper bags

Most all-fabric bags can typically go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, but search — and we mean dig deep — into every last pocket before you do so. You do not want to accidentally wash a waxy lip balm, gum or other problematic items. For bags with vinyl adornments, you’ll have to hand wash them in a mild detergent. Press between dry towels to remove excess water and line dry.

Destink the sneaks & shoes

Homegrown brand Nike recommends a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle; spray inside the shoes and allow to dry. They also recommend a dry bar of soap placed in each shoe over-

night. Crocs can go in the washing machine on a delicate cycle, with a gentle detergent. Air dry away from heat sources.

Earbuds

Apple provides very specific guidelines to cleaning their AirPods, involving a ceremony with micellar water, distilled water and a soft toothbrush. But we don’t know anyone with that kind of time on their hands, so a soft cloth wipe-down will do. If you want to live dangerously (and not fret about potentially ruining a pair of ear buds), you can try a toothpick to dislodge the gunk.

Walls & upholstery

A melamine sponge works wonders for cleaning crayon and unidentified markings on the walls. Tip: Save money and shop for the generic brand in bulk.

After a thorough vacuuming, try a DIY upholstery spray to freshen up fabrics: mix 1 cup of water and ¼ rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. If you don’t like the smell of rubbing alcohol, cheap vodka works too. And you can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the mix if you like. Just be sure to spot test it first on furniture you care about, and store it securely out of reach of children.

Under the bed

The long handle of a broom can be used to bring forth the detritus of toys, food wrappers, juice boxes, underwear and no doubt a few surprises. If your child is old enough, ask for their much-needed help; they are small and can wriggle under there.

Tip: if your heating vents are on the floor, unscrew them and investigate with a flashlight. We’ve found numerous teeny toy parts, hair ties, coins and other items. One unlucky mom we know discovered old spaghetti.

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Published in the April/May 2025 print edition of MOM Magazine