How To: Effectively Clean Pool & Bath Toys

A favourite toy can make bathtime or pool time even more special! Classic rubber ducks and floaties are usually the most popular. The best way to stop mould or mildew from forming on your child’s toy is to give it a good cleaning.

There are some basic steps most of us follow when cleaning bath and pool toys like:

Remove excess water from the toy Brush with soap and warm water Dry the toy (with a towel or air dry)

You might be wondering what other ways you can clean your child’s water toy? There are natural and chemical approaches. It’s time to find out how to effectively clean your child’s favourite water toy.

Naturally Clean

There are ways to clean bath and pool toys without using harsh chemicals. We go over step-by-step guides for each one.

Vinegar Solution

You can easily use this household ingredient to clean pool and bath toys. Your toys will be spick and span in no time by doing the following:

Combine two parts of warm water with one part of white vinegar. Soak the toy(s) into the solution for 10-15 minutes, ensuring it gets inside the toy. Scrub the surface with a small brush, rinse and dry the toy with a towel. Let the toy air dry while standing upright.

The vinegar will eliminate unwanted dirt or residue on the toy. The acidity is the part that helps clean everything off.

Baking Soda Solution

Pool toys need a different treatment from bath ones. Chlorine can clean naturally, but toys may start to feel a bit slimy. Here are steps to clean your pool toys:

Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water. Dry toys before cleaning. Soak smaller toys and wipe and rinse larger items like inflatables.

The combination of baking soda and water will scrub dirt, algae and chemicals off pool toys. This will prevent mould formation and minimize the chance of your children getting sick.

Deep Clean

Sometimes the basics do not do the whole job. Never fear! A mixture of chlorine bleach and water will h

help clean your child’s water toys. Only do this if traces of mould are found on the toys because high amounts of chlorine bleach can be harmful to children. Here is what you need to do:

Combine 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water. Soak toys in the solution for two minutes. Rinse thoroughly and let them air dry in an upright position.

This will work with plastic pool toys and noodles. Foam is a material that lets bacteria and mould grow quickly. Mouldy foam toys should be replaced.

You can also use an alternative variation where you use 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach. Then dip a brush into the solution and start scrubbing away. Always thoroughly rinse and let the pool toys air dry when finished.

Storage After Play

Cleaning should be accompanied by storing toys in the right place. This stops mould and mildew from growing. So be sure to store pool and bath toys properly when they are not being used.

Here are these factors in mind when storing:

Ensure toys are rinsed and free of excess water Completely dry with a towel or airy dry Breathable and low moisture environment

Now that your child’s favourite toys are clean, check out our great pool hacks! Save time and money and spend more time swimming!

We hope these tips make playtime squeaky clean!

Tell us your cleaning tips in the comments below!