What It Means
Bath toy cleaning is the routine that keeps toys used in the tub from growing moldMoldA fungus that grows indoors wherever moisture lingers. EPA says fix the water problem, then scrub it off hard surfaces with detergent and water. See more. Hollow squeeze toys are the main concern: Cleveland Clinic explains that the little hole in the bottom lets water in but doesn't let it drain back out, so the inside stays damp. Drying toys after every bath prevents most of the problem, and a toy with more than a little mold is better thrown away than cleaned.
Try It: Clean It, Dry It or Toss It?
Pick the toy and what you see, and get the next step from Cleveland Clinic's advice.
Squeeze out the water and let it dry completely
Wipe it with warm soapy water, or soak it an hour in half vinegar, half water
Throw it away
Hollow toys trap water inside. Cleveland Clinic suggests sealing the hole with a glue gun, or choosing toys without holes.
Toys without holes dry fast, which is why Cleveland Clinic suggests them.
How It Sounds at Home
- "Squeeze the duck out before you put it back."
- "There's black stuff coming out of the whale again."
- "The bath toys are drying on the rack."
The Breakdown
How often, based on Cleveland Clinic's advice
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After every bath | Squeeze the water out of each toy and let it air dryLine dryingDrying laundry by hanging it on a clothesline, rack or bar to air dry, indoors or outdoors, instead of using a tumble dryer. See more completely |
| Between baths | Store toys somewhere with good airflow, not in a closed bin |
| When you spot a little mold | Wipe it with warm soapy water, or soak the toys for about an hour in equal parts vinegar and water |
| When there's more than a little mold | Throw the toy away |
| Once a week (Buhata's suggestion) | Look the toys over for dark spots and give them a full dry |
Make toys last between cleanings. The drier a toy stays, the less likely it is to grow mold, so the habit that matters most happens right after the bath. Squeeze each hollow toy until no more water comes out, then spread the toys on a rack or in a mesh bag where air can reach them. When you buy new ones, Cleveland Clinic suggests picking toys without holes, such as stacking cups. For the squeeze toys you already have, sealing the hole with a glue gun keeps water from getting inside at all.
Good to Know
Use one cleaner at a time. Buhata's rule on every cleaning page is never to mix products: chlorine bleachChlorine bleachHousehold bleach made with sodium hypochlorite that whitens, removes stains and disinfects, but can fade colors and damage some fibers. See more combined with vinegar or ammonia gives off a toxic gas, and the mixing cleaning productsMixing cleaning productsCombining two or more cleaners in one bottle, bucket or bowl. Some pairs, such as bleach with ammonia or with an acid, give off toxic gas. See more page explains why. Buhata also suggests a rinse in plain water after a vinegar soak, and a full dry before the next bath. If a child seems unwell and you're worried about something they played with, call your pediatrician, and call 911 in an emergency.
FAQ
How often should you clean bath toys?
Squeeze out and dry them after every bath, per Cleveland Clinic, and clean any toy as soon as you see a small spot of mold. A quick weekly look is Buhata's own suggestion for catching it early.
How do you get mold out of a squeeze toy?
For a small amount, Cleveland Clinic suggests warm soapy water or a soak of about an hour in a half vinegar, half water solution. If there's more than a little mold, throw the toy out.
How do I stop bath toys from getting moldy?
Keep them dry. Squeeze out the water after each bath, store them where air moves, and choose toys without holes or seal the holes with a glue gun.
Do It in Buhata
Tasks with a repeat
Add "Squeeze and dry the bath toys" as a task with a daily repeat in your Household Space, and a weekly one to check them for mold.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Mold
A fungus that grows indoors wherever moisture lingers. EPA says fix the water problem, then scrub it off hard surfaces with detergent and water.
- Mildew
A flat, usually gray or white mold that grows on damp surfaces such as shower grout, curtains and fabric left wet.
- Vinegar cleaning
Using white vinegar, a mild acetic acid, to dissolve mineral buildup and lift grime. It doesn't replace a registered disinfectant.
- Toy rotation
Keeping only a few of a child's toys out at a time and storing the rest, then swapping sets every week or so so the stored toys feel new again.
- Bathroom deep clean
A top-to-bottom bathroom cleaning that reaches grout, tub, toilet, floor and fixtures. The ACI's routine puts it every two weeks.
- Mixing cleaning products
Combining two or more cleaners in one bottle, bucket or bowl. Some pairs, such as bleach with ammonia or with an acid, give off toxic gas.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic, "Mold on Your Baby's Toys: Should You Worry?"; Cleveland Clinic, "Mold on Your Baby's Toys? When To Worry"
- health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-clean-baby-toys
- health.clevelandclinic.org/mold-babys-teething-toys-worry
Last updated .