Mold Growth on Toys: How To Remove Mold From Plastic Toys?

Is it possible that you’re having a little too much fun with your bath time accessories? Keeping your plastic toys mold-free is as easy as following these two basic steps.

When plastic toys, such as bath toys, are frequently exposed to water and moisture, they are more susceptible to mold buildup. In addition to ruining your children’s fun, mold on toys can also pose a serious health hazard to you and your family. Do not fret; the information in this post will show you how to get rid of mold in your home.

Mold Growth on Toys

Bath toys are a frequent place for mold to grow. For both you and your children, moldy bath toys pose a danger. Inadequate watertightness in bath toys is a common oversight among parents. Because they are left alone for a few days at a time, in the dark, they are ideal breeding grounds for mold.

Mold-infested toys aren’t limited to bath toys. Mold can grow on a variety of plastic toys, including:

• Toys for babies’ teeth
• Children’s mugs
• Bottles
• Toys for the swimming pool
• Toys for the backyard play area
• Toys for the snow
• An alternative plaything for the outdoors

Mold can grow on any plastic or rubber toy that is frequently exposed to moisture if it is not cleaned and sterilized on a regular basis.

Having moldy bath toys in your home could be a sign of a more serious mold problem in your home. Consult a specialist to get an accurate reading on the air quality in your home.

How to Identify Mold in Bath Toys

The first step is to determine which toys may be infected with mold. Toys that are frequently exposed to water, such as bath toys or those left outside, may have mold growing within. Mold grows most readily on rubber duckies than any other type of toy.

Teething babies are notorious for producing an enormous amount of drool. If your child is using hollow plastic or rubber toys to soothe his painful gums, you’ll want to check them for mold as soon as possible. It made waves in 2017 when some parents realized that a popular child’s teething toy had mildew inside. Mold can thrive in any teething toy with an opening.

Why You Should Care About Moldy Bath Toys

Mold isn’t just ugly to look at; it can cause serious health issues, too.

Numerous studies from around the world have revealed a connection between unfavorable respiratory symptoms in children and living in a home with mold growth.

Several studies have shown that mold can cause weariness and headaches in those who live in homes with mold. It has also been proposed that excessive exposure to mold can lead to a “increased risk for hemorraghic pneumonia and death among infants” if you want to go any farther.

While this is an extreme case (think of someone living in a moldy environment), there is no need to fear. However, you should make every effort to keep mold from growing.

How To Clean Bath Toys

So, how can you get rid of those mildewed bath toys? With a little elbow grease, you can bring those old toys back to life.

What worked best for us may not work for you, so keep reading to find out what we used and what we learned.

Use Bleach To Clean Moldy Bath Toys

For us, this was the strategy that stood out the most. It was the best method, and the toys looked if they had never been used.

Wait! My children should not be exposed to bleach, you say.

However, there’s no reason to be concerned.

After treating your bath toys with bleach, you can simply rinse them in clean water to remove any remaining traces of the bleach, reducing your children’s exposure to the chemical to nearly nothing.

Mold and germs are both killed by bleach.

As a result, let’s examine the procedure:

1. To clean the moldy toys, get a bucket or something similar.
2. For every 1 gallon (4 liters) of water, add 3/4 cups of bleach (it doesn’t have to be precisely calculated).
3. Immerse the toys into the solution. If you need to, use something to keep them down (I used the bleach bottle!). The toys should also be filled with bleach, which will guarantee that they are thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom.
4. Overnight, leave them there.
5. Throw away the bleach and the solutions that came in contact with the toys. Remove any leftover mold with a nylon brush.
6. Using fresh water, thoroughly clean the bath toys.

It’s done! It’s a breeze, isn’t it?

Clean Bath Toys With Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent substitute for bleach when it comes to cleaning bath toys. Vinegar contains antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, making it an excellent mold killer.

Here’s how to make use of vinegar:

1. Combine 1 gallon (4 liters) of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar in a solution to use.
2. Immerse the toys for at least an hour in this solution.
3. Toys that have been contaminated by mold should be cleaned (you will need to scrub harder than with bleach)
4. Make sure the playthings are well cleaned.

Other Ways To Clean Bath Toys

In our opinion, there are other techniques to clean moldy bath toys, but they don’t compare to bleach.

1. It’s a simple matter of putting them in the dishwasher for the first time. It won’t get rid of all the mold, but it does a decent job of reducing the growth.
2. Toys can also be boiled as an alternative. Set the toys in a pot of simmering water and leave them there for 10–20 minutes. You’ll still have to scrub them to get rid of some of the accumulated dirt.

How to Prevent Mold in Bath Toys

The risk of mold formation is higher with water-squirting toys. There are a few things you can do to keep your child’s bath toys from growing mildew:

• Clean and dry your child’s bath toys after each bath to establish a good habit. Mold can be prevented by drying the toys on a drying rack or near a vent or open window. Mold growth is most easily controlled when it comes to moisture.
• Plug any toys that have holes. Use a dab of hot glue to fill that rubber ducky’s hole in the bottom. Because moisture cannot get into the toy, mold will not grow.
• You may want to look into “mold-resistant” bath toys. For mold-free toys, look for ones that are watertight or dismantle easy for cleaning.

Moldy Bath Toys Could Be an Indication of Mold Elsewhere

Bath toys that have mold inside of them may be a sign of mold in your entire bathroom, and therefore your entire home. When it comes to mold, it’s never a bad idea to be on the lookout. To establish if your mold problem extends beyond your bath toys, My Pure Environment offers comprehensive air quality inspections.

Have a mold problem? We can help!

If you suspect that you have mold in your Fresno home, our mold remediation firm is here to help. At My Pure Environment in Fresno, California, we specialize in mold testing and remediation. You can get a free consultation by contacting us today. Using Zoom and FaceTime, we are now offering virtual consultations.

Why You Should Care About Moldy Bath Toys

Mold isn’t just ugly to look at; it can cause serious health issues, too.

Numerous studies from around the world have revealed a connection between unfavorable respiratory symptoms in children and being in a home with mold growth.

Several studies have found a correlation between mold growth in the home and weariness and headaches, as well as other symptoms. It has also been proposed that excessive exposure to mold can lead to a “increased risk for hemorraghic pneumonia and death among infants” if you want to go any farther.

While this is an extreme case (think of someone living in a moldy environment), there is no need to fear. However, you should make every effort to keep mold from growing.

How To Prevent Mold From Growing On Bath Toys

Because mold grows on bath toys, it is always best to prevent it from forming rather than deal with the task of cleaning it. To that end, the following are some pointers to help you stay clear of mold altogether.

Seal Them Up!

Water can sneak into some toys since they aren’t completely sealed. Moreover, if water can get inside, mold can grow and you won’t even notice it!

Use a hot glue gun or even silicone to seal any holes in your toys. As a result, water will not be able to enter the pipes at once.

Pre-sealed bath toys are one option, if you’d rather not deal with the effort.

Store Bath Toys Correctly

Mold is a sure thing if the toys are left in a state of dampness and not dried off between uses. The right way to store bath toys can make all the difference when it comes to keeping them clean.

Organize your child’s bath toys in an out-of-the-way place that allows them to dry and aerate.

How Often Should You Clean Bath Toys to Prevent Mold?

All of the bath toys submitted in by parents to ABC News were discovered to have mold and bacteria on them, as well as signs of fecal matter. Rubber bath toys were found to be the dirtiest and most germ-infested, according to a new study. Cleaning your children’s bath toys at least once a week is recommended by experts, and more frequently if someone in your household is sick.

Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to throw out the toys if you notice greenish-black patches. Cleaning bath toys is an important part of providing a safe and enjoyable bath experience for your child.

How To Bleach Toys in the Bathtub

When working with bleach, use plastic gloves, goggles, and a face mask. You can disinfect bath toys by adding 1/2 cup of normal bleach to a gallon of water and leaving them in the tub for 10 minutes to get rid of any bacteria. In addition, you can disinfect bathroom items like bath mats, toy baskets, rinsing cups, and more in a flash.

Make sure that the bathroom exhaust fan is running and that a few windows are open. The bleach solution can irritate your nose and throat, so move to a different area of the house. Fill bath toys that squirt water as they soak with bleach water if they have holes for that purpose. Make sure the toys’ interiors are thoroughly cleaned, as they may contain mold you cannot see!

How To Clean Bath Toys Using Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural cleaner and disinfectant that is a great substitute for bleach if you prefer not to use it. Let the toys soak in a mix of 1 gallon water and 12 cup white vinegar for about an hour. Allow for drying after scrubbing to remove any remaining mold. Do a basic rise and dry before putting them back in the toy net if they still smell of vinegar.

Conclusion

Children’s toys, particularly those made of plastic, can serve as breeding grounds for pathogenic fungus, germs, and viruses. Your children’s happiness can be put at danger if their toys are not properly cared for.

It’s now possible for you to protect your children’s health and well-being by learning how to remove mold from plastic toys. In any situation, the practice of cleaning regularly will come in helpful.