Disinfect Moldy Bath Toys (The Hidden Danger)
Squirting toys with a small hole accumulate black, moldy water inside. It is dangerous for children. Here is how to clean them.
Recommended Materials
- White vinegar
- Hot water
- Hot glue gun (to plug holes)
Steps to follow
Step 1
Test your toys: squeeze them over the sink. If black water or particles come out, throw them away immediately. It is toxic mold that has developed inside.
Step 2
For regular maintenance (preventive): prepare a vinegar bath (1 cup of white vinegar for 3 liters of hot water).
Step 3
Suck the mixture inside the toys by squeezing and releasing them under water several times to rinse the inside well.
Step 4
Soak overnight so the acidity of the vinegar kills the germs.
Step 5
Empty them completely by shaking them vigorously the next day.
Step 6
Let them dry. Ideally, store them in a hanging net and not in a closed bin, so the water drains.
Step 7
The radical solution: plug the hole! Once the toy is new (and dry) or perfectly cleaned, put a dot of hot glue (glue gun) on the hole. Water will never get in again, no more mold. The toy will still float but won't squirt anymore.
Step 8
The dishwasher: for toys that don't have a hole (or that open in two), the dishwasher is ideal. Put them in the cutlery basket or the top rack. The heat of the cycle will disinfect them perfectly without effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can they be put in the dishwasher ?
Yes, to clean the outside, but it doesn't clean the inside of the squirting toy (wash water gets in but doesn't come out well).
Is bleach better ?
It kills everything, yes, but it is toxic if the child drinks bath water or puts the toy in their mouth. Vinegar is safer and edible.
Precautions
- Regularly check the inside of toys.
- Throw away any toy impossible to clean.
