How to Remove a PVC Plastic Smell From a Toy

Many children's toys are made of the same material used for car dashboards and shower curtains: polyvinyl chloride or PVC. PVC gives off a characteristic smell due to the toxic chemicals that are used as part of its creation process. This smell is nauseating to some and contains toxins which may be hazardous to health. PVC-based toys should always be cleaned to remove the smell before they are given to small children.

Things You'll Need

• ¼ cup vinegar
• ¾ cup water
• Small bowl
• Two soft dishcloths

Instructions

1. Mix the vinegar and water in a small bucket or bowl. Using a 3-to-1 ratio of water to vinegar will help prevent replacing the PVC smell with a strong vinegar odor.

2. Soak your dishcloth in the solution. Use a soft cloth that will not scratch or damage the toy.

3. Gently scrub the entire surface of the toy. Even those parts not cast in PVC may have picked up some of the chemicals and have been exposed to them since the end of the assembly process.

4. Dampen a second cloth with clean water and use this to rinse away the vinegar solution from the toy. The toy should now be free of chemical smells and the vinegar smell should be very faint if it remains at all.

Tips & Warnings

• Vinegar is very good at neutralizing odors given off by many household goods, including diaper pails.

• Avoid getting the vinegar cleaning solution in your eyes as this will result in irritation and burning.

References

• VinegarTips.com Cleaning Information
• ForeignPolicy.com PVC Information

Resources

• VersatileVinegar.com Vinegar Tips and Facts
• CPSC.gov Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008