Buying or Borrowing Secondhand
Buying or borrowing equipment or toys secondhand, or using passed-on equipment, can often be a good solution for the chemically sensitive since fumes from new synthetic materials have usually worn off well. You need to take care, however, that anything you use has not been washed or cleaned with cleaning or laundry agents that you or your baby do not tolerate. Ask what has been used on anything you are thinking of acquiring. Take extra care with baby clothes and nappies – in particular, avoid anything washed in biological agents. Wash and air anything you buy before using yourself.
If you or your baby are sensitive to pets, animals, house dust mites, or tobacco smoke, also check that anything you buy is free of the things that upset you.
Toys, Books and Games
Hard plastic toys are rarely a problem for the chemically sensitive once they have been washed and aired for a while. Buy, open up and air toys before giving to baby to play. Washing plastic toys in a solution of domestic Borax or sodium bicarbonate (one tablespoonful to a bowl of warm water) helps speed the process of airing.
Wooden toys sometimes give problems with fumes from paints and varnishes when new. Again, allow them to air when new, or wipe with a solution of Borax or sodium bicarbonate.
For full advice on preventing and controlling house dust mites in soft toys. Buy washable soft toys wherever possible and wash and air frequently. If you or baby are very sensitive to synthetic materials, make or knit soft toys in cotton, and stuff with kapok.
Air new books before use to remove fumes.
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