Don't Consider It A Trivial, Children's Dolls Are More Dirty Than Toilets

Illustration of hairdolls (Freepic)

Hairy dolls and soft toys are children's loyal friends. But who would have thought, behind its cute and adorable shape, it turns out that a child's doll can hold hidden threats to health.

A study conducted by MattressNextDay found that the average child's doll kept twice as many germs as toilet seats. This finding is certainly surprising, especially when children often hug their dolls while sleeping or playing throughout the day.

Even more worrying, the study shows that child dolls can contain harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureusdanE. coli, two types of bacteria that can cause skin infection, digestive disorders, and respiratory problems.

"The fact that I highlight here is that we're not just dealing with dirt," explained Dr. Snieguele Geise, a doctor at the It's Me & You clinic, quoted from the Daily Mail page.

"We are facing a hidden health hazard that is really risky, especially at home with small children or individuals with a weak immune system. Cleaning these items should be a priority in order to maintain health and well-being," he continued.

This study took samples from four different items, namely blankets, child dolls, trash bins, and toilet seats. The sample was tested using ATP bioluminescence technology which measures the level of microbial contamination through the content of adenosine triposphate.

As a result, as many as 43% of blankets and 29% of dolls show a high level of contamination (more than 1,000 RLU units). The average toilet occupancy only records 864 units, even the trash can is only 294 units, much cleaner than the child doll.

"I can't quite stress how dangerous it is if we ignore washing blankets and dolls," said Dr. Geige.

These seemingly harmless items are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and allergens, he added.

He also warned that children are more susceptible to these germs, as their immune system has not developed perfectly.

"Repetitive exposure to microbes can cause frequent recurrences of infections, respiratory problems, or skin problems, all of which can actually be prevented by regular cleaning habits," says Dr. Geige.

Safe Tips For Washing Children's Dolls

Many parents are worried that washing dolls can damage shape or color. However, experts from Whirlpool provide easy guidance to clean dolls without having to damage them.

- Put the doll in a laundry net or pillowcase with the end tied to keep it safe when washed.

- Use soft washing machine settings, such as Delicate,Hand Wash, orentle Cycle, as well as cold water to maintain color.

- Avoid using a dryer. It's better to dry the doll naturally so that the glue or the plastic part doesn't melt.

- After washing, remove the doll and dry it by hanging or placed flat.