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As parents, we all know that bath time can be a blast, full of splashes, giggles, and, of course, a tub toy flotilla. While these toys can help keep your little one engaged and entertained while you scrub-a-dub, they can also harbor unseen germs and mold. That beloved squeaky duck can become a hidden petri dish if not cared for properly. Cleaning bath toys is essential for your kiddo’s hygiene and health—here’s how to keep those rubber duckies and all their friends germ-free.
Why You Should Clean Bath Toys
Bath toys are constantly submerged in water and reside in humid bathrooms—breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and mildew. Over time, soap scum, dirt, and microbes can form a slimy, protective layer called "biofilm" on and inside the toys. This biofilm is what allows mold and bacteria to thrive. Regular cleaning ensures these unwelcome and icky guests don’t join in your little bambino’s bath time.
But before you pull out the bleach and panic sanitize, know that most children’s immune systems are capable of fighting off any pathogens hiding in bath toys. The goal is good hygiene, not creating a sterile environment. A little diligence goes a long way in keeping toys safe and fun.
How Often Should You Clean Bath Toys?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this—a lot will depend on how frequently your kiddo bathes, the types of toys you have, and how well they’re dried before being put away between baths. But generally:
- Basic Rinse Each Bath. Rinse the toys with clean water to remove any visible dirt and soap scum, squeeze every last drop of water out of them, and allow them to dry thoroughly between baths.
- Weekly Cleaning. Thoroughly cleaning bath toys with soap and water or a vinegar solution every week can help prevent the buildup contributing to mold or bacterial growth.
- Monthly Deep Cleaning. Once a month (or any time after your kiddo has been sick), deep clean the toys to sanitize them thoroughly. You should also do a deep clean immediately if you see or smell any mold.
How to Keep Bath Toys Clean
You know what they say—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best method for cleaning toys is to prevent grimy build-up in the first place. Always squeeze or shake out any water from toys right after your little one gets dried and dressed, paying extra attention to toys with holes or nooks and crannies. Towel-dry the toys before leaving them to dry on the countertop or side of the tub, and turn on your bathroom exhaust fan for at least 20-30 minutes after a bath to draw out moisture.
Wait until the toys are fully dry before putting them away, ideally in a mesh storage bag or well-draining container. Don’t rush the process! If you stack still-wet toys in storage, they’ll mildew quickly and undo all your hard work. Consider rotating toys so each set has a day or two to dry out completely.
- Pro tip: You can seal any holes in squeeze toys with a dab of hot glue or waterproof silicone sealant before their first use and avoid hard-to-reach interior mold in the first place.
How to Clean Bath Toys
Even if you’re diligently drying out your little one’s toys post-bath, it won’t completely eliminate mold and mildew build-up (though a parent can dream). These are our favorite methods for a bath toy deep clean—pick the one that works best for your family’s routine and schedule.
Cleaning Method #1: Soap and Water
Perfect for a weekly clean, this is your first line of defense.
Simply fill a basin with hot, soapy water (dish soap works great). Wash the toys inside and out, using a small bottle brush to scrub the interior of any squeeze toys. Squeeze the soapy water in and out several times. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, squeeze out all excess water, and let them air dry completely.
Cleaning Method #2: Bleach
Cleaning bath toys using a diluted bleach solution is one of the most effective ways to disinfect and kill yucky bacteria and mold. But bleach is a harsh chemical, so using it safely around little ones is essential.
Start by mixing a bleach solution in a well-ventilated area—one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water—it’s strong enough to kill germs but mild enough not to damage your toys. Soak the toys for 10-15 minutes, squeezing any toys with openings so their interior is washed. (Wear gloves to save your skin and prevent irritation.)
Remove the toys, again squeezing out any bleach solution from unsealed toys, and give them a thorough double rinse under water. Rinsing twice will ensure zero bleach solution remains for your child to ingest accidentally. Allow the toys to dry completely before storing them.
Bleach can produce some pretty nasty fumes, so make sure the room is well-ventilated. Never mix bleach with any other cleaning product, especially vinegar or ammonia, as it can create toxic gas. We also recommend saving a bleach cleaning for when the kiddos are out of the house or in bed.
Cleaning Method #3: Vinegar
If you’d rather avoid bleach, vinegar is a natural disinfectant with anti-microbial and antibacterial properties. Vinegar’s acidic nature excels at removing tough grime or stains, no elbow grease required. It’s also much gentler on toys than bleach, and you won’t have to worry about keeping your kiddos away from harsh fumes.
Fully submerge your bath toys in a solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Allow the toys to soak for at least an hour, then give them a good rinse in water. Because vinegar won’t degrade your toys like bleach, you can use it for cleaning more frequently and save the bleach for monthly deep cleans or following colds or twenty-four-hour bugs.
Cleaning Method #4: Dishwasher
The most convenient cleaning method for harried parents? The dishwasher. Most plastic and silicone bath toys are top-rack safe (of course, if you have any doubts, check with the manufacturer).
Place any small toys in a dishwasher-safe basket or mesh bag to prevent them from falling off the rack, and run the dishwasher on a hot cycle with your regular detergent. Voila! Freshly sanitized bath toys with almost zero effort. After the cycle completes, shake out any trapped water and lay all your toys flat to air dry. Avoid using the “heated dry” setting on your dishwasher if possible—it can damage or warp your toys.
Cleaning Method #5: Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes work wonders on solid and non-porous bath toys, like foam shapes and letters, that don’t collect water. A quick wipe-down will keep them sparkling, sanitized, and germ-free for your water baby. To be effective, the toy's surface needs to stay visibly wet for the "contact time" listed on the wipe's packaging (usually 3-5 minutes). After that time has passed, rinse the toy thoroughly with water to remove any chemical residue. As always, allow them to fully dry before storing.
Cleaning Method #5: Boiling
Boiling is a tried-and-true method for disinfecting, and it allows for deep cleaning without harsh chemicals. This method is best for solid silicone or hard plastic toys. Place any toys made from hard plastic, foam, or silicone into a large stockpot, cover them with water, and bring to a rolling boil. Allow them to boil for 3-5 minutes, but no longer—overheating can damage and warp the toys. Remove them carefully with tongs and let them air dry.
If you’re unsure about boiling a particular toy, or if it has batteries or painted-on details, vinegar or a solution made with bleach are equally simple alternatives.
How to Pick Easy-to-Clean Bath Toys
While we would never advise throwing out your kiddo’s favorite rubber ducky, save yourself the hassle and stock up on easy-to-clean bath toys. A good rule of thumb? If water can get inside the toy, so can mold, germs, and plenty of other yucky stuff you don’t want near your baby and their bath water.
Toys made from solid rubber, plastic, silicone, or foam are less likely to absorb water, reducing the risk of mold and mildew. Smooth, straight surfaces are easier to clean, too—toys with intricate designs or tiny nooks have tons of germ-friendly hiding places. Look for toys that come apart for easy cleaning.
Here are a few examples of easy-to-clean toy types to look for:
- Stacking and Pouring Buckets: These are open, simple, and promote motor skills.
- Solid Silicone or Plastic Figurines: Toys without holes are your best friends.
- Floating Foam Letters and Shapes: These don't take on water and can be wiped down easily.
- Light-Up Cubes: Many are completely sealed, making them mold-proof.
- Bath "Crayons": These encourage creativity and wash off the tub walls easily.
- Water Slides or Tracks: These often come in pieces that are easy to wipe down and air dry.
Finding What’s Right for You
Keeping bath toys clean doesn't have to be a monumental chore. By building a simple post-bath drying routine and scheduling occasional deep cleans, you can ensure that your child's bathtime flotilla is ready for fun, safe, and hygienic play. A little prevention and regular maintenance mean more splashing and giggling, and a lot less worry about what's lurking inside that rubber duck.
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].
