Nontoxic Cleaners

• Dish detergent is a mild, yet highly effective, product that works well for cleaning play structures. To create a solution that can be sprayed onto the play equipment, mix a spray-bottle solution of 2 cups water and two squirts liquid dish detergent.
  
  Baking soda is a natural cleaner that also deodorizes. You can make a simple spray-on solution by mixing 2 cups of warm water with 2 cups of baking soda. Shake the bottle until the baking soda has dissolved in the water.
  
  

Nontoxic Disinfectants

• Vinegar is a mild disinfectant that will kill bacteria and also clean the surface. To create a spray-on solution, mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar (make no substitutions; other vinegars do not have the same disinfectant qualities).
  
  Lemon juice is another natural disinfectant. It has a slightly acidic quality that will clean the play structure, kill bacteria and leave behind a lemon-fresh citrus scent. In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of water with 1 cup of lemon juice.
  
  

How to Clean

• To clean the play structures, spray on the solution of your choice, and wipe clean with a cloth or sponge. Concentrate especially on handles, handlebars and other fixtures that come into contact with children's hands, which can be one of the main ways bacteria is spread from one child to another.
  
  Clean the play structures as often as you see fit, depending on the number of children who use the units. Also, clean the units if you notice a child who has been coughing, sneezing, or has a runny nose using the play area.