As ironic and unfair as it might seem, your kids’ bath toys need to be cleaned from time to time. That’s because, despite appearances to the contrary, they are not taking a bath along with your kids. Rather, they are wallowing and diving into dirty water, only to become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria once the bath is over and the tub is drained.
Here’s how to keep the mold and bacteria away:
Hot Glue. If any of the toys have small holes in them, there’s a good chance mold is growing and spreading on the inside. To keep water out, fill the holes with a dab of hot glue.
Dishwasher Cleaning. Use your dishwasher to sanitize hard plastic bath toys. Just remember not to mix toys with silverware, plates and glasses, etc. In addition to bath toys, add dirty flip flops and hair paraphernalia like brushes, elastics, and barrettes to the dishwasher for the cleaning of their lifetimes.
Vinegar. Bleach is a superhero among clean bath toys but can leave an unhealthy chemical residue behind on surfaces. For a safer alternative, wash the bath toys with warm water and vinegar, and use an old toothbrush to scrub away grime.
Tiny Toys. Small toys can be placed in the dishwasher basket. You also can soak them in the tub – just not during bath time. Be sure to give everything a good scrub and pat them dry so there’s no standing water in the pile once you put everything back in place.
Freeze it. If any of your bath toys are made of foam or wood, they won’t fare as well as other materials and are likely to absorb the soapy water. Instead, place them in the freezer overnight to kill germs that may be growing on or beneath the surface.
Of course, the key to this whole exercise, including bath time, is having an ample supply of hot water. If your water heater is struggling to meet your family’s demands, contact Messmer Mechanical. We service and repair all makes and models, including yours.