Washing and Caring for your Bath Toys


Drying and Storing 

All of the toys we select for our boxes are designed to be mold-free in that they are either sealed/have no holes and don’t retain water and grow mold on the inside, or come apart for easy cleaning and drying.

Even though they’re sealed or easily cleaned, it is still a good idea to always dry toys after use because if water sits on the toy, it could lead to mildew, mold, etc. Do not store bath toys and activities in humid places. If left on the side of a bath tub or on tile that may be slightly wet or moist, the toys will start to mold (like any natural products).

Air drying between use is recommended.

 

Cleaning and Washing

It is important to keep bath toys clean which will help them last longer and get rid of mildew buildup. For regular cleaning, or if some spotting occurs, we recommend scrubbing the toys with a clean non-toxic soap and water (try a cloth or old toothbrush) or a solution of white vinegar and water. Be sure to let the toys dry before returning them to their rotation basket or bin.

 

Mold

It's the gross discovery that every parent dreads - moldy bath toys. But if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, don't panic - we've got you covered.

First things first - is the mold on or in the toy? This is an important distinction. Mold or mildew on the outside of the toy is much easier to clean or remove. Mold inside the toy - while not impossible to clean - might be indicative of a bigger problem.

For mold on toys, you can clean them with a simple solution of vinegar and water. Mix one gallon of water with ½ cup of white vinegar and then soak the toys for about an hour. Once the toys have soaked, scrub them to remove the mold and allow them to air dry. If the toys smell a little like vinegar, a quick rinse should take care of it. Follow the same steps for toys that open or come apart for easy cleaning. If you find mold, just take them apart, soak, and scrub.

Toys that are not hermetically sealed or do not come apart (i.e. squirt toys) have a tendency to hold water if not fully emptied/drained. This is the ideal environment for mold to grow. A telltale sign that mold may be growing inside the toy is darkening or discoloration, especially areas of the toy that appear black. You may also see mold in the squirt toy’s hole. 

In this case, we highly recommend throwing away the toy. Out with the mold, in with the new! Send these toys packing and switch to some new, mold-free options for the tub.

Out with the mold, in with the new!