How To Remove Mold From Plastic Toys

How To Identify Mold In Bath Toys

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The first thing you need to do is identify which toys could be harboring dangerous mold. Any toys which commonly get wet, like bath toys or toys that have been left outside, could be moldy inside. Rubber duckies are the most notorious for growing mold.

If you have a teething infant, youre probably shocked at how much drool they can generate. If your little one is soothing his aching gums on hollow plastic or rubber toys, youll want to check them for the presence of mold right away. A popular child’s teething toy made headlines in 2017 when some parents discovered that there was mold growing inside. Any teething toys with openings could become havens for mold growth.

Why Clean Bath Toys

If you cut open any of your childs bath toys or their rubber ducky, youll probably find the inside covered with a gooey black substance. At first sight, it looks like mold, but its actually biofilm. A community of a huge variety of bacteria and fungi thats much more resistant to cleaning and between 10 and 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics.

This 2018 study examined 19 real childrens bath toys thatd been used for only 11 weeks. They found biofilm inside every single one. Bacterial numbers reached a stomach-churning 9.5×106cells/cm2. 80% of the toys contained at least one potentially harmful microorganism with the ability to cause eye, ear, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections. The microbiologists even found bacteria that cause listeriosis and legionnaires disease.

So How Safe Is The Black Mould Inside The Toys

The first thing to say is that the mould – or in fact fungi – is very common. “Any toy that gets wet is likely to have fungi growing both inside and on it,” explains Neil Gow, President of The Microbiology Society.

But Neil has a different view to the Swiss study. “Happily, these fungi are not normally going to cause any harm, unless someone is sensitised to them through an underlying health issue perhaps if theyre asthmatic or immunocompromised.

“While its sensible to clean children’s toys from time to time, fungi shouldnt be an issue of concern for the majority of people.”

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Staying Mold Free: How To Clean Water Toys

Bath time is almost a daily occurrence here, and bath toys are quickly gaining popularity. As the weather warms, our water table has also been gaining popularity! However, I cringe every time my little one picks out the squeeze toys that fill with water! The idea of mold possibly growing in them is something I cant shake and of course theyre her favorite.

So, I set out to do some research on the how to clean water toys! After a little trial and error, this is what I found works best for us. I hope it helps you as well!

How To Get Rid Of Musty Odors From Toys

White vinegar
Spray bottle

Mold can begin to grow on surfaces as quickly as 24 hours after they are exposed to water. Untreated, the mold feeds on organic materials and causes damage. A musty smell is a warning sign that toys or other objects have been exposed to mold. Stuffed toys should be cleaned promptly and thoroughly to prevent further damage and health problems caused by mold exposure. The right cleaning method will get favorite toys back in your child’s hands in almost no time.

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How To Prevent Mold Growing On Bath Toys

Now you know how to clean bath toys but do you have time to do it? Cleaning bath toys after each bath is a big ask. Especially when youve got a fleeing toddler or a baby to get ready for bed.

These simple steps wont completely eliminate the need for an occasional scrub, but they will ensure youre not endlessly cleaning bath toys.

Block the holes Prevent water from getting inside the toys by sealing the holes with a blob of hot glue. If water cant get into the bath toy, mold wont be able to grow inside.

Choose easy-clean toys Look for plastic toys that dont have any tiny holes or places where water can become trapped. There are lots of options that are still fun for children, boats, fish, and even squirty toys that unscrew so you can clean the insides.

Let the toys dry If you throw all of the plastic toys in a box after a bath, they wont get properly dry, and mold will thrive. Instead, let them dry on a rack, ideally next to an open window.Store the toys somewhere else in the house The bathroom is warm and humid, ideal for mold. Try to find somewhere well ventilated to store them instead, like in a basket in the hallway.

The information WonderBaby provides is not intended to be, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. Always consult with a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances.

How Do You Clean Baby Toys With Bleach

Bleach that has been diluted can be used in a method that is both safe and economical to disinfect infant toys.

Toys that dont absorb liquid should be washed with soapy water, rinsing them off with clean water, and drying them off with disposable paper towels.

Use a solution of chlorine bleach consisting of one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water to kill any bacteria

Arrange the toys so that they may air dry

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Does Baking Soda And Vinegar Clean Mold

Vinegar and baking soda are two wonderful household items that may be used to clear up mold if you decide that removing the mold yourself is the best option for you.Vinegar that has been white-distilled is only slightly acidic, yet research has shown that it can destroy some forms of mold.Because vinegar does not contain any chemicals, it is not only harmless for people but also for their pets and the environment.

How Do You Clean Moldy Toys

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Allow the toys to soak in the solution for approximately one hour after you combine one gallon of water with half a cup of white vinegar. After the mold has been removed, give them a good scrubbing, and then set them aside to dry. Before you put them back in the toy net, give them one more rinse in vinegar and let them air dry if they still smell like vinegar.

Scrub Away The Mold With A Cloth Sponge Or Brush

If you dont want to use chemicals, scrubbing away the mold should work just fine. Use a clean rag or sponge soaked in warm soapy water. Scrub gently but thoroughly. If theres still some stubborn spots after washing, repeat the process again. Be careful not to scratch the finish when using abrasive cleaners.

Use Bleach To Clean Moldy Bath Toys

This was clearly the stand out method for us. Using bleach produced the best results and the toys came up almost like new.

Wait! I hear you say I dont want my children exposed to bleach!

But there is no need to worry

Simply washing your bath toys in clean water after the bleach treatment leaves on minuscule amounts on the toys which reduces the exposure your kids have to bleach to almost zero.

Bleach also kills not only mold, but bacteria as well.

So lets take a look at the method:

Grab a bucket or something that will fit the moldy toys in it that needs cleaning

Mix up a solution of 3/4 cups of bleach for every 1 gallon/4 liters of water

Place the toys in the solution an immerse them. Use something to hold them down if you need to . Also be sure to let the toys fill with bleach this will ensure they are cleaned inside and out.

Leave them there overnight

Remove the toys from the bleach and discard the solutions. Use a nylon brush to clean off any remaining mold

Thoroughly rinse off the bath toys with clean water

And thats it! Easy hey!

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Will Black Mold Grow On Plastic

Mold will not develop on plastic unless there is a source of nutrients for the mold to consume. Mold spores cannot grow on plastic because it does not give natural nutrients such as cellulose. Therefore, mold must rely on old food particles, dirt, or soil in order to obtain sufficient amounts of nutrients.

How To Disinfect And Clean Bath Toys Using Traditional Methods

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Start by removing any visible dirt from the surface of the toys. A scrub with a toothbrush, plus dish soap and warm water should take care of most grime.

When the toys look clean on the outside, its time to disinfect them and tackle anything that might be trying to grow inside. Bleach is the most effective product for the job but can be harsh and damaging. Vinegar is a less effective but much gentler option. You can even use it to clean wooden toys.

Equal parts vinegar and water.

In a large tub, mix equal parts of water and vinegar.

Squeeze each toy under the vinegar solution.

Submerge all of the toys.

Leave for between 15 mins and 24 hours.

Remove the toys and squeeze.

Rinse with tap water.

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How To Store Bath Toys Properly

Proper storage of bath toys is a crucial part of preventing mold growth. Since molds prefer moist and warm areas, you should avoid keeping the toys in such environments.

Rather, you should ensure that the toys are completely dry before putting them in storage.

You can organize them in racks so that the water inside can drain. Its also ideal that you keep the toys in a well-ventilated area to avoid moisture.

Sealing bath toys is a big no-no, especially if they are still wet.

Thats because the leftover water may evaporate and become steam under warm conditions. In turn, this creates a viable condition for mold growth.

Vinegar And Water Method

White vinegar is an effective disinfectant and safer, natural cleaning alternative to bleach. The use of white vinegar will effectively remove dirt, mold and mildew stains on your kids plastic toys.

The usual solution is 1 part white distilled vinegar to 1 part water.

You will need these items:

White distilled vinegar

Bucket
Scrub brush

Steps:

1. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket or spray bottle.

Tip Add your favorite essential oil the the mix to neutralize the strong vinegar odor and create a pleasant smelling solution.

2. Generously soak the plastic down with the solution using a rag or spray bottle and let sit for 5 minutes .

3. Scrub vigorously using a scrub brush or heavy-duty sponge.

4. Rinse completely with clean water and let dry.

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The Versatile Home Remedy Can Also Be Used To Neutralize Strong Odors

Vinegar is the solution:

One-part vinegar to four parts warm water can be used to remove odors from glass and plastic. You can either fill the containers with the solution or let it sit overnight. Citric acid and lemon juice can be used for this purpose.

Tip The vinegar solution can still be used afterward. It can be used to clean and shine your faucet and kitchen sink from lime stains.

Salt can remove musty plastic smell

You can remove the onion smell from your plastic container by coating it with salt overnight. To remove odors from plastic, sprinkle salt all over the bottom of your can. Close the lid.

Metal soap against bad onion smell in plastic

Your hands are as good as your Tupperware. Add some water to the plastic, and then add a bar soap made from metal. You should only pour enough water into the plastic to allow the soap to contact the air. Close the lid and allow the soap to neutralize the musty odor for a few hours. Keep changing the water if the onion smell persists. You can buy metal soap from Amazon.

Dishwasher tabs and denture cleaner tabs

You can remove the smell by using a regular dishwashing or denture cleaner tab. Then, you can fill the plastic with water and place it in. The plastic should no longer smell after it has dissolved. You can substitute dishwashing salt if you dont have either.

Use crushed ice to neutralize garlics smell

Use sunlight to neutralize the plastics odor.

Use baking soda to remove odors from plastic bottles

How To Remove Mold On Plastic

Molds! Silicone and plastic resin/soap/clay mold basics

With a source of moisture and humidity, even plastic objects can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

From childrens toys and outdoor furniture to plastic shower curtains, Concrobium Mold Control is the safe and effective way to kill and prevent mold in your home without the use of any bleach or harmful chemicals.

Using a spray bottle, apply a thin, even application of Concrobium Mold Control to the moldy surface.

Allow to dry completely Concrobium kills the mold as it dries.
Clean the moldy surface with a Concrobium dampened cloth or brush scrub as required.
Re-apply a thin, even application of the product on the surface to provide future mold resistance.

NOTE: For objects and areas that are exposed to frequent dousing of water, re-apply Concrobium every 2-3 months or when required to ensure the preventative mold barrier remains intact.

Child Watch : How To Remove Mold From Plastic Toys Easily

Since plastic toys, like bath toys, are usually exposed to water and moisture, they become prone to mold build-up. If mold starts growing on toys, it will not only spoil the fun but will also put your and your childrens health at risk. However, you dont have to worry over this because this article will teach you ways to get rid of the troublesome mold.

Cleaning Bath Toys With Vinegar

Plastic bath toys can facilitate mold growth because they are always in contact with water. Apart from this, they are also in a warm environment which molds like.

Hence, it wont take many baths before your childrens toys become moldy.

One way to keep plastic toys clean is by washing them with white vinegar. Heres how to clean bath toys with vinegar.

Create a vinegar solution composed of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water.

Place the toys in the solution. Make sure that theyre completely soaked.

Let the toys sit in the vinegar solution for about an hour.

Scrub the outer surface of the bath toys using a sponge or soft brush.

Rinse with clean water.

Let the toys dry naturally or use a fan to hasten the drying process.

Although white vinegar can kill a few bacterial species, its not potent enough to kill all of them.

Hence, you still need to disinfect your childrens toys to eradicate infectious bacteria, molds, and viruses.

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How To Clean Plush Toys In The Washer

Colorfast, plain stuffed animals and fabric books are usually safe to clean in your washing machine. Sturdy plush toys can be washed and dried on the sanitizing cycles, if your machines have them, but many plush toys come with care labels, so it’s a good idea to check how the manufacturer recommends cleaning it, especially if the toy is new. Here’s how to clean ’em in the washer:

First, put plush toys in a pillowcase to protect them and knot the top.
Select the gentle cycle, warm water, and a slow spin.

Dry the toy in your dryer on a low-heat setting. Or, if your dryer has a rack, take the toy out of the pillowcase and set it on the rack to dry without tumbling.
For a gentler approach, use a hair dryer on low heat and speed settings. When the teddy reaches the just-damp stage, switch to the hair dryer’s medium setting to fluff up the fur.

Keep in mind: Never wash plush toys with built-in battery packs, noise makers or other metal parts, as the water may damage them. Make sure all decorations and buttons are securely attached, any rips and holes are repaired.

How To Clean Little Tikes Plastic Toys

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Since 1970, the Little Tikes Company has manufactured a wide range of indoor and outdoor children’s products. Little Tikes plastic toys include pretend toys such as plastic tools, riding toys such as rocking horses, teeter-totters, trikes and cycles, learning toys, play trucks, blocks and furniture. As children often encounter a wide variety of materials during play, it is extremely important to clean Little Tikes toys regularlynot only to remove dirt or food particles but also bacteria, germs, mold and other harmful particles clinging to the plastic surfaces.

Prep your cleaning materials. Fill a bucket with hot water and mild detergent. Add enough detergent to make the water soapy. Drop a sponge, a lint-free microfiber cloth and a soft-bristled brush in the bucket.

Wash the first toy. Use the sponge or microfiber cloth to wash all of the toys plastic surfaces. If youre dealing with tough stains, rub at the stains gently in a circular motion with the soft-bristled brush.

Rinse the toy thoroughly to remove any soap residues. Rinse under running tap water or spray from a garden hose.

Dry the toy completely. Wipe all surfaces with lint-free microfiber cloths or air-dry in indirect sunlight.

Repeat with other toys as needed.

Tips

If you shake any outdoor plastic toys and hear water sloshing inside the plastic, select several spots one inch away from any seam on the bottom of the toy near the sound and drill small holes to drain out water.