Cleaning of Bath Toys

Updated on April 10, 2009
S.S. asks from Spokane, WA
19 answers

Random question but has anyone noticed how bath toys can get that grimy feeling to them after a while? Can anyone tell me how I should be cleaning the bath toys and how often. We usually just put them in a bucket after bath time but they are getting gross. The only thought I have is the dishwasher.....is that ok?

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J.R.

answers from Seattle on

I think the dishwasher would be great the detergent has bleach in it which will sanitize the toys. I have never thought about it before but I think its a great option! Think I will try that myself :)

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K.M.

answers from Richland on

Fill the tub with warm water(NOT HOT IT KILLS THE BLEACHING ACTION) and 1 cup of bleach and toss in the toys. Let them bathe in it for at least 15 minutes(you might have to dunk the floating ones) After the soaking, drain the tub, rinse off everything, & air dry on a towel. If there is anything left "dirty" you need to either scrub it or throw it away.

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C.S.

answers from Medford on

I put mine in the dishwasher from time to time and I have also tossed them all into the wash machine with a little bleach before. I hate grimy toys!!! We have a netted corner basket that we use and once the kids get the toys in, I pour fresh water over them to give them a little rince. Seems to really help. You rince your kids in fresh water, why not their toys too! :)

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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

The dishwasher should be fine-- though my personal preference would be to put the bath toys in--with some other hard, water-safe toys in- and USE NO DISHWASHER soap ( that toxic stuff concerns me with little mouths ---I have a ''thing'' about how dangerous dishwasher soap is) --- the toys clearly have soap ON them - and the scalding water would clean them beautifully---

It's fun to have time isn't it???? --- many, many blessings,--

J.
aka- Old Mom

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N.Z.

answers from Portland on

We used to hang then up in a mesh bag to help them dry out. And yes! I put them into the dishwasher! I also would wash them sometimes in the sink with bleach.

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T.R.

answers from Bellingham on

As long as they ca withstand the heat, the dishwasher is a great idea, and I second the no soap. I am personally against using bleach with anything and baking soda is a much safer and every bit as powerful alternative. You can also just wipe them down with a cloth and get rid of the film on them. But if you don't want to wipe each one, just put a cup of baking soda in a bucket and soak them overnight then rinse them clean. If there is residue left over, it wont hurt them and will come off in the next bath so no worries. Hope this helps.

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T.B.

answers from Portland on

Cleaning times depends upon how often you use the toys in the tub. I fill the bathroom sink with HOT water and 2 capfulls of bleach. I dunk the toys and fill them with the bleach water (if they are the squeeze toys). Then I let them sit on the edge of the sink while I fill all the toys. I drain the water and in reverse order I squeeze out all the water from all the toys and rinse them WELL under running hot water. I fill them several times with clean water.

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J.S.

answers from Seattle on

Hey S. - I have quit buying any bath toys that take in water because of the nasty black mildew-y gunk they spit out after a while! To clean the toys I put a cup of white vinegar (it's antibacterial, but not bleach) in an ice cream bucket of water and suck in as much water as possible to each one and then let them soak. Scrub if necessary and just rinse with clear water.

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J.L.

answers from Seattle on

we put ours in the clothes washer. We fill a laundry bag (one of those mesh bags for delicates) and wash the toys in warm water with vinegar added. Then air dry.

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S.S.

answers from Richland on

I wash them by hand with liquid dishwasher detergent and a sponge or towel.

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R.C.

answers from Portland on

I'd suggest getting a gallon of white vinegar from Fred Meyer, and dumping that in the bucket of bath toys, swishing it around, then rinsing with warm water/little dish soap. I don't like to run plastics too much in the dishwasher as the heat breaks them down, and they leach or discolor, or other parts are damaged.
good luck,

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D.C.

answers from Portland on

I have found there is some grime that the dishwasher can't get at. I dry them after bath with a (dry) washcloth, and then spray them with Clorox Hard Surface sanitizing spray and let them air dry.

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J.M.

answers from Spokane on

HELLO:
I had the same problem and I soak my daughter's bathtoys in our sink and use a bit of bleach and lysol anitbacterial cleaner.... then rinse with hot hot water....I had to throw out her duckies and toys that get water in them after 1 yr. beacuse mold can grow inside those types of toys so I dont buy them anymore:(

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

We put ours through the dishwasher and have had great luck with it! We've had to throw out one duck that got too much water in it and got icky, but other than that, all our toys are still nice. We also normally rinse them with plain water after playing with them and then put them in a well draining thingy that hangs on the tub wall.

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

The dishwasher is a safe and easy way to clean any plastic toys, be they bath or regular toys. With that said, filling the kitchen sink with hot water and about 2 tablespoons of bleach will also help clean and santize them. People have a tendency to use too much bleach. It doesn't take much at all to do what is necessary, a little bit goes a long way.

We got a mesh bag, like the one you would use to launder delicates in the washer. We put the toys in the bag and then hung it from the shower nozzle so the water would drain out. Rubber ducks have a hole in the bottom of them and they tend to fill with water. Be sure to squirt it out at the end of the bath.

Enjoy the fun in the tub!!!

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J.L.

answers from Corvallis on

I have run them through the dishwasher and had no problems. I have also heard of people soaking them in a bleach solution. I let the toys air out and dry before I put them in a container, and this seems to help keep the sliminess down (also rinsing after use).

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K.S.

answers from Bellingham on

I would recommend Shaklee's line of cleaners called Get Clean(tm). Oprah has them as one of her favorite things, and I've been using them for over 15 years...completely non-toxic, no furmes, rinses clean, concentrated so only a few drops work great, and only pennies a bottle. Wonderful to have your children help you clean, too! They can work the sprayer and you do the wiping, knowing that there are no fumes to hurt them or toxins to get on their skin. What a concept! There's a sale on right now, so email me for more info if you like.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I've washed many toys, bath and otherwise, in the dishwasher. One of the toys played music and I hesitated but when it was dry the music played on.

I've washed many fabric and stuffed animal toys in the washing machine and they've all come thru just fine.

I wash the toys whenever they look or feel grimy. I haven't had to do this often but then my grandkids are only here for a short time each week.

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P.H.

answers from Seattle on

I've done that ..you know what else cleans up nice?
Base ball caps top shelf they don't get bent up!!

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