How To Clean Mold Out Of Bath Toys? Step-by-Step Tutorial

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
17 min read

So, how can you get rid of mold from bath toys? You need to know how to remove mold from bath toys. There is a good chance that you’ve already witnessed something like this in one of the most unusual places.

A few conditions must be met in order for molds to thrive. For the spores to take root, they must be placed on a certain object, which must be free of any sunlight or other sources of light that could harm them.

Rubber bath toys may function as substrate carriers for these molds, even if you don’t intend to let your children come into direct contact with these molds. Once colonies have formed in the bath toys, there is nothing you can do but deal with them.

Steps For Cleaning Mold Off Bath Toys

If you’ve already cleaned the bath toys, getting the molds off should be a simple and fast task for you. To be clear, even if the two types are distinct, it is still important to study the following methods on mold removal.

How to get mould out of your child's bath toy - MadeForMums

Step #1. Mix your cleaning solution

A mold-killing treatment should be the first step in eradicating mold from bath toys. Masks and gloves should be worn at all times while mixing because not only will the solution be odiferous, but the molds may be as well.

Vinegar or bleach can be used to make this solution. Vinegar can be diluted with water to an 80/20 solution, whereas bleach can be diluted to a 10/10 solution with water.

After preparing the solution, if you plan to use rubber bath toys with a squeaky sound when squeezed, you need to press on them first to see if they work. Prior to washing, it’s a good idea to drain as much water and mold as possible from inside the garments.

Step #2. Soak the bath toys in the solution

The next step is to pour the solution into a basin and allow the toys to soak for a few minutes. In order to maximize effectiveness, ensure that there is enough solution for all toys, even if not all at once, but rather a new solution for every toy.

All the molds you can see on the surface were scrubbed away using a toothbrush and a scrubber.

When it comes to cleaning the inside surfaces of the rubber toys with holes discussed previously, your only option is to thoroughly submerge them in the solution and squeeze. You should be able to suck fresh solution into the toy when you ungroup it underwater, rinsing the inner surface once more.

Pump out a clear solution by repeating these steps as many times as possible.

Step #3. Wash the bath toys with detergent

The toys need to be cleaned with detergent and a little further scrubbing when the molds are removed. This is to ensure that the previous cleaning solution does not remain on the toys and cause a bad smell or other issues in the future.

Rubber toys with holes should also be cleaned and sanitized. It goes without saying that if any of the cleaning solutions get trapped on the toy, they will contaminate your child’s subsequent bath time.

Step #4. Rinse and dry the toys

It’s time to rinse and dry the bath toys now that you’ve cleaned them completely. This can be remedied by soaking them in three separate batches of new, clean tap water.

Until no more soap or bubbles come out of them, you can rinse them as many times as necessary. Pressurized water can be used if desired, however machine washing is not advised.

Each toy can be cleaned with paper towels and then air-dried. Ideally, the toy should be dried in the sun, but if that is not possible due to the material used, you must not put the toy in a machine dryer.

The best way to deal with mold infestations that have spread beyond the toys is by learning how to remove black mold from a hot tub.

Why do bath toys get moldy?

Infected bath toys are a result of their frequent exposure to water, which the molds require in order to flourish. Molds may be able to grow on these toys after a period of time because of the organic material they contain.

Mold can form on these toys since they are rarely exposed to sunlight. Keeping these toys clean and ventilating them on occasion should keep molds at bay.

What is the best way to sanitize bath toys?

Monthly bleaching would be the best way to sanitize your kid’s bath toys using the previously mentioned solution. Toys should be kept clean and hygienic using a combination of bleach, sun exposure, and regular cleaning.

Using hot water to clean newborns is another option.

If the molds keep coming back, you might want to check out this article on what causes decay in apartments to see if you can track down the culprit.

How to Clean Bath Toys

Bleach your clothes. If you’re wondering how to clean bath toys, diluted bleach is a good place to start. Dr. Foersterling recommends a 1:10 disinfection ratio. Fill all areas where water enters with the bleach solution if you’re wondering how to clean bath toys indoors. In order to avoid your youngster ingesting the bleach combination at his next bath time, drain any soggy toys. Dr. Foersterling recommends draining the bleach off the toy after cleaning, then letting it to dry completely.

Using vinegar to clean Bleach isn’t your thing? Although it has a number of limitations, one of the most notable is that it is difficult to see or breathe via your nose or mouth. “Vinegar is not as effective as bleach and must be used full power and left to soak for a longer period of time,” says Dr. Foersterling, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Rinse in the dishwasher and dry. If your day is already jam-packed (we get it! ), you may be seeking for a solution to the bath toy crisis that is simpler and easier to implement. Simply place your child’s bath toys on the top rack of the dishwasher and run it on a hot cycle if that’s what you need to do. And just like that, you’ve got sparkling new toys! Before using this procedure, we recommend checking the manufacturer’s instructions because some bath toys are not dishwasher safe.

Rubber Ducky Bath Toys Contain Bacteria and Mold, Study Finds | Inside Edition

A hot bath is all that is needed to make this dish. Another way to remove mold from bath toys is to boil them in a large pot of water. In addition to foam letters and numbers, this is a good option for plastic toys. Use a pair of kitchen tongs to add toys to boiling water. After a few minutes in the boiling water, carefully remove the toys and allow them to dry completely on a towel. If you’re looking for a way to clean bath toys inside, this is a good option.

Make use of disinfectant wipes to do the cleaning. Many of the bath toys on our list below may simply be cleaned with disinfectant wipes in order to avoid mold growth and maintain them sparkling clean for your child. “Wiping toys down after bath and leaving them to fully dry between bathing should be fine enough,” says Dr. Foersterling as long as there aren’t any holes or crevices for water to enter.

10 Mold-Free Bath Toys to Buy

Abe Navas, general manager of Emily’s Maids, a house cleaning business in Dallas, Texas, says, “If water can get inside, then mold can, too.” In addition, it’s frequently tough to detect and eliminate. Avoiding toys with crevices where water could enter but which you could not clean is the most practical option in this situation. The following are some of our favorites:

Related Items

Munchkin CleanSqueeze Bath Squirts

With their twist-apart body, these bath toys alleviate the problem that most squirting toys have by making it easy to clean within the toy.

Dwi Dowellin Swimming Whales

To avoid mold formation, all of the bath time fishing game’s little animals are totally sealed. It’s also dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.

Munchkin Little Boat Train

Your child’s creativity will soar with the help of these charming pastel boats, a timeless bath fun. Connect the tubes to construct a train, and then dump the soapy water on one of your siblings’ heads (more realistically). When it comes to cleaning up, this toy has it all figured out. These bath toys are safe for your child to play with because there are no internal parts and very few nooks and crannies.

Boon Building Bath Pipes

Incorporating STEM principles into bath time is the goal of this award-winning toy. Isn’t this a great deal? Additionally, the pipes can be disassembled in seconds, making cleanup a breeze.

Mele the Sea Turtle

Toss this adorable turtle from CaaOcho into the tub to keep the chemicals and mold at bay during bath time. Mold and mildew can’t develop on him because he’s constructed of all-natural, phthalate-free ingredients and is sealed. Keep in mind that after each bath, this guy will need to be dried with a towel to prevent the growth of yuckies on the surface. But, he can be wiped down with vinegar for added assurance.

Barnyard Bath! Book

When it comes to bath toys that are easy to clean, nothing beats a bath book. Sandra Boynton’s story is one of our favorites.

Ubbi Interchangeable Critter Bath Toys

There is a good reason why Ubbi toys are so popular. Dishwasher-safe bath toys that can be taken apart and reassembled are a great way to keep your kids entertained while bathing.

Nuby Octopus Floating Bath Toy

Besides being adorable, this octopus is also a fun bath time activity. Because he’s made of plastic, mold can’t grow inside of him. If you’re wondering how to clean bath toys like this one, this one is dishwasher safe and can be submerged in chlorine as well.

Fat Brain Toys Waddle Bobbers

As a bath time accessory, these adorable penguins are a hit with children of all ages. They’re also dishwasher-safe bath toys that are easy to clean.

Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles

If you’re looking for bath toys that are easy to clean, these float and play bubbles are a terrific option. In order to prevent mold growth, the bubbles are created with holes, but they still float and glide effortlessly among the other bubbles.

Here’s When To Replace Bath Toys

If you’re like me, you’re able to make easy connections in your head. Things are clean and sanitary to me if soap and water are available. But when it comes to your children’s favorite bath time toys, this isn’t always the case. After all, I stupidly imagined they’d be just as clean as my son after his bath since his rubber dinos and squirting starfish were utilized in warm, soapy water. It turns out that there are certain hard and fast regulations concerning when to replace bath toys and the safety recommendations involved in maintaining your children’s aquatic figures in ship shape.

As it turns out, that’s not even close to the truth. Any rubber or plastic toy that is hollow is susceptible to mold growth, says Dr. Saul Hymes, a pediatric specialist. Moisture and soap residue from the bath are a formula for unpleasant odors no matter how careful you are to keep your home clean. There does, however, appear to be an exception. The only time you should toss a bath toy that is fully solid — with no holes at all — is if it has been damaged beyond repair. Phillip Tierno, a scientist, told Parents that “things that don’t hold water are safe as long as they dry out between uses—bacteria can’t thrive on dry material.” If your child’s bath toys aren’t hollow, you’re safe.

Tips for Keeping Bath Toys Sanitary

  • As soon as your child is through scrubbing, place the toys in a mesh bag with a scoop to allow them to dry completely.
  • After showering, turn on the bathroom fan and leave it running for 15 to 20 minutes to help remove moisture from the air.
  • Adding 34 cup of bleach to a gallon of warm water and soaking your toys for 5 minutes can remove mildew. A gallon of water and a half-cup of white vinegar can be used to make a chemical-free cleanser. Let it soak for an hour.

Tip to Keep Your Bath Toys from Molding

Small holes or squirting mechanisms are common features on some bath toys. They’re adorable, but they’re prone to mold.

As an alternative to scrubbing the mold off your child’s bath toys over and over again, try to keep the water out of the toys permanently.

What’s our plan? Hot-glue each of the holes close. We’ve had great success with it. A toy’s glue is almost never peeled off, and there’s no mold to worry about in the toys itself.

Keeping your child’s bath toys from molding is an important part of bath time, so we hope these suggestions will help you out.

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FAQs

Can you get mold out of bath toys?

Soak the toys in one gallon of water and a half cup of white vinegar for about an hour to get rid of odors. Let the toys air dry after scrubbing them to remove mold. Just give them a quick water rinse and let them dry thoroughly before giving them to your child again if they still smell like vinegar.

How long does it take for mold to grow in bath toys?

Mold can begin to develop in as little as 24 to 48 hours, according to Kristy Miller. If you don’t like the smell of moldy bath toys, we’d like to provide a few recommendations on how to keep them clean. If your bath toys start to mould, we have a solution.

How do you get Mould off foam bath toys?

Let the toys soak for an hour in a solution made of 1 gallon of water and 12 cup of white vinegar. Once the mold has been removed, give them a good scrub and let them air dry. Do a basic rise and dry before putting them back in the toy net if they still smell of vinegar.

How do I clean the inside of my bath toys?

We’ve found that 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water is the sweet spot. Submerge the bath toys in a pail of this solution and let them soak for a few minutes. Ten minutes is about right. Before drying the toys, wash them well with tap water.

How do I get rid of mold in my bathtub?

Spray the damaged area with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 2 parts water. Allow the mixture to settle for 10 minutes before attempting to use it. Even though the mold should start to fade away on its own, if persistent spots of mold remain, use a coarse brush or an old toothbrush to scrub them away.

What is the black stuff that comes out of bath toys?

When the correct circumstances are in place, mold spores can grow and thrive in the air. It is easy for these spores to thrive in bathrooms with limited ventilation because of the squeezing holes in bath toys.

Conclusion

We’ve finished teaching your kids how to remove mold from bath toys. If you follow these guidelines on a regular basis, you should be able to avoid the mildew and remain a respectable adult.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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