Le Toy Van Market Crate | Cheese + Dairy

A GUIDE TO CLEANING TOYS WITH CARE

At Le Toy Van, with a rich history of designing toys since 1995, we understand the importance of maintaining the pristine condition of your cherished playthings. To ensure your toys last for years to come, we have put together an easy-care guide to help you keep them clean and well-maintained.

Before we start did you know that wood has antibacterial properties. It halts the growth and removes harmful bacteria. Moisture is naturally drawn into the material making it unable to multiply! However, toys still need a good clean because of being on the floor and in little one’s mouths.

Due to wood being porous compared to plastic based toys cleaning requirements differ.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN'T DO WITH WOODEN TOYS

• Do not put wooden toys in the dishwasher as it causes the wood to absorb to much water and can cause damage which can become unsafe for children.
• Do not soak in water. This is a very important step to avoid as it can cause the wood to become damaged.
• Do not give your child a broken wooden toy. Ensure you regularly inspect the toys for any signs of wear or damage. Discard any broken or damaged toys immediately to ensure safety.

HOW TO CLEAN

Read the Instructions: Before cleaning any toy, refer to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging, instruction sheet or washing labels. They may contain specific care instructions or recommend certain cleaning methods.

•  Ue a damp cloth or sponge with mild soap or a non-toxic cleaning solution. Gently wipe the toy's surface.
• Air dry – we highly recommend drying naturally and keeping out of direct sunlight as this could cause colours to fade.
• Use natural cleaning products – rinse well with a sponge or cloth.
• Recommended cleaning products – Castile soap, white or apple cider vinegar diluted with water.
• For stubborn dirt – try mixing baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply to the area and scrub with a damp cloth.
• Machine Washable Toys (fabric parts): You can find a washing label with fabric items, we recommend only surface cleaning only using mild detergent and rinsing well with a damp cloth. Do not tumble dry.

If the toys are being used in nurseries, childcare or educational environments please ensure that you follow the organisations sanitation guidelines. Please ensure you still do not soak in water.

WHEN SHOULD I CLEAN WOODEN TOYS?

You do not have to clean wooden toys as often as you think. This is due to the wood’s antibacterial properties, unlike plastic based toys.

We would consider cleaning toy when –

• It has had contact with their mouths.
• When your child is unwell or has been unwell.
• If there are signs of dirt and grime.

By following these simple cleaning and care tips, you can keep your wooden toys in great condition, extending their longevity and ensuring many more hours of joy and imaginative play for your little ones.

Our toys are made from high quality replanted woods, such as Rubberwood, plywood, and high-grade MDF. Rubberwood is a by-product of the rubber industry, we use it once its life as a rubber tree has ended and recycle it to become beautiful toys. We also make sure that our wood comes from sustainable forests, supporting local farmers and their communities, pledging to replant and replace what we use.

Kid safe, always – The safety of your child is our number one priority. We rigorously test and regularly exceed toy safety standards. We only ever use safe, non-toxic paint and work hard – from design to manufacture – to ensure kid safe edges on our toys, for safe play every day.

Little Whimsy is an online store based on Auckland’s North Shore. Orders are packed and dispatched from our Hillcrest warehouse.

We aim to dispatch orders within 3 business days, although dispatch may take longer during busy periods, new releases, Christmas and major sales. You’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking once your order has been packed and collected by the courier.

New Zealand shipping

We ship New Zealand-wide.

• Free NZ shipping on orders $200 and over, including rural delivery, unless an oversize surcharge applies

• $9 flat rate courier shipping for orders under $200

• Rural delivery for orders under $200: $14 no signature or $15 signature/photo required

• Some large or bulky items may have an oversize shipping surcharge, which will be shown at checkout where applicable

Most New Zealand orders arrive within 3–5 business days from dispatch, although rural addresses and busy courier periods may take longer.

Please note that delivery timeframes are estimates only and may be affected by courier delays, weather events, public holidays or high-volume periods.

Once your order has been packed, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking details.

Tracking may take up to 1 business day to update after your parcel has been collected and scanned by the courier.

Click & collect

Click & collect is available from our Hillcrest warehouse on Auckland’s North Shore.

Pickups are available: Monday and Wednesday, 10am–2pm

Please wait until you receive your collection email before coming in, as this means your order has been packed and is ready to collect. Our warehouse is not open for browsing, and orders cannot be collected before you receive your pickup confirmation.

Delivery address changes

Please check your delivery address carefully before placing your order.

If you notice an address error, contact us as soon as possible. If your order has not yet been packed or collected by the courier, we’ll do our best to update it.

Once an order has been dispatched, we are unable to change the delivery address from our end. You may be able to request a redirect directly through the courier, depending on the service used.

NZ Post Redirection Tool

Authority to leave

If you choose authority to leave or request that your parcel is left without a signature, this is at your own risk.

Little Whimsy is not responsible for parcels that are marked as delivered by the courier but are lost, stolen or damaged after being left at the delivery address.

Australian shipping

We ship to Australia, with rates shown at checkout based on your cart and delivery address.

Australian parcels are sent with tracking. Once your parcel arrives in Australia, tracking and delivery are handled by the local postal or courier service.

Any customs charges, duties, taxes or import fees are the responsibility of the customer.

International shipping

We ship to many international destinations, with available rates shown at checkout depending on your cart and delivery country.

International delivery times vary by destination and service selected. Parcels may also be delayed by customs processing or local postal services.

Please note that any customs charges, duties, taxes or import fees are the responsibility of the customer.

Shipping to the United States, including Puerto Rico, is currently paused due to recent tariff and shipping changes.

Bulky or oversized items

Some large, heavy or bulky items may incur additional shipping charges.

Where possible, any oversize surcharge will show at checkout. If your order contains unusually bulky items and the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than charged, we may contact you before dispatch to discuss options.

Sale and busy period dispatch

During major sales, Christmas, new releases or especially busy periods, dispatch may take longer than usual.

We pack orders as quickly as possible in the order they are received and are unable to prioritise individual orders during these periods.

Questions about your order?

If you have a question about shipping, click & collect or your order, please contact us at:

customerservice@littlewhimsy.co.nz

NZ Post Terms