Getting Water Out of Little People Toys?

Updated on April 28, 2010
A.L. asks from Littleton, CO
13 answers

My dear husband thought that our daughter needed more bath toys, so he gave her some of her Little People to take in the tub. He figured out afterwards that you can't get the water out. Then today my daughter thought it would be a great idea to put ALL of her Little People (about 20) in the water. So, they are now all full of water. I've tried to shake out as much water as I can, but there's still some sloshing around. I'm concerned that they'll get all mildewy and gross, and I really don't want to throw them out --- it seems like such a waste. But I don't want her (or her sibling that we are expecting next spring) to be sucking moldy water when/if they put them in their mouths. Anyone else encountered this? Or am I being too paranoid? (I have to admit that I get very clean-freaky when I'm pregnant, and everything grosses me out.) Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We are going to drill drain holes and then set them in rice. I'm so glad to not have to throw them out!

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

Take an awl or an ice pick, heat and then poke a hole in each toy so the water has a drain. Put it in a low spot on the toy so when you set them up right they'll drain out. Moldy toys are not a good idea for anyone, not even Dad for his bath time! ;-)

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A.F.

answers from Portland on

I have been told to use bleach water every time they are played with in the water. But make sure to clean it out really good. My little one prefers cups and wash rags for some reason over ducks or any thing else so I haven't used this yet and kind of concerned to. I know this doesn;t help much sorry. but i think the air dry is a great idea and I know that works. But i wanted to say congrats for the second one and I hope every thing goes well for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from Portland on

A.,
Been there. We have had many toys that grew mold and I had to toss them. What I have done is immerse them in a bleach solution and try to drain the water out. The other thing I have done is (if soft plastic like a rubber duckie)cut a hole in the bottom (if it is hard plastic) drill a hole in the bottom with a small to med drill bit. This is something your husband can do. I know you probably don't want to do that, but it gave me peace of mind that our boys weren't sucking on moldy toys.

Best of luck.

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H.D.

answers from Seattle on

I too was going to suggest sitting the toys in raw rice. I've never tried this myself but I've heard of this for cell phones that have fallen in the toilet for example. It's supposed to draw the water out. Give it a try and good luck!!

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

You are right that left to dry on their own, they will mold before they dry. If your husband has an air compressor, see if he has a very narrow attachment so you can blow air inside that tiny hole. If all else fails, you can use a blow dryer.

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R.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I am wondering if the alcohol and rice worked?? My daughter refuses to stop putting the Little People animals in the tub and they are all filled with old water that has been impossible to clear out!

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

We've had water get in a couple things and our solution has been to get as much water as possible out and then just let them air dry for a day or two. We haven't had mildew yet!

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

You could try putting them through the dishwasher wash and rinse cycle. The dry cycle could be hot enough cycle could be hot enough to evaporate the water out of them.

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

We have one little person with water. I usually set it to drain after her bath but really haven't paid attention as to whether it works fully. Hoping someone else has a good solution . . .

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J.C.

answers from Portland on

Putting the toys hole-side down in rice should also pull the water from them. Good luck!

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J.O.

answers from Corvallis on

Hi, I don't know if this would work, but it works for ears. Why not put some alcohol inside the toy to displace the water and assist in it's evaporation. Maybe even the alcohol would help stop any mold from forming? Just a thought, i've never tried this myself.

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K.Z.

answers from Portland on

We had the exact same thing happen at our house! I could not shake all of the water out, hard as I tried. My husband took them out to his workshop and using a small drill bit drilled a hole in each one. There is a hole in them, the problem is that there is an indentation and the hole is in there, not at the bottom of the animal or person. (We dumped our whole zoo in the tub!) So he drilled holes at the bottom, in the foot, so the water can drain out. Then I could pretty much shake it all out and we have a customized set of Little People. ;) I hadn't heard about the rice. Would have tried that first!

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S.W.

answers from Seattle on

Try laying them on a couple paper towels with the hole down. The paper towel will help draw the water out. Good luck!

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