If there is one thing that you should be prepared for as a mama –

It’s bath toys!

Some bath toys are really cute!

But they can be a pain in the butt once they have been used!

Bath toys tend to collect water inside of them.

And even tend to mold easily!

When you have little ones, the last thing that you want is for them to be playing with moldy toys!

Here are some great ways to be fully prepared to be a bath toy master!

*Some of the links within this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive a small compensation from certain items.

1. Buy Bath Toys without Holes

It is almost impossible to do, but there are some bath toys out on the market without holes.

Many bath toys tend to have one little hole in them – usually at the bottom.

This is how they end up collecting water inside of them.

Often times, you can squeeze the water out, but some water usually remains inside.

When water remains inside, it can start to grow mold.

Good luck cleaning the mold out of the inside of a bath toy with one tiny access hole!

Try to inspect bath toys before purchasing and try to buy ones without any holes or entryways where water can get in.

To see some bath toys without holes, click here!

2. Store Them Properly

It is so easy to just leave the toys in the tub once your child is done playing.

I mean, who has time to shake off toys and put them away when they’re just going to end up back in the tub again tomorrow, right?

Make certain to take the extra minute to shake them off and put them away properly.

It took me years to find the right place to store our bath toys!

Proper storage involves a holder that will allow air through so that the toys don’t form mold.

Many of the bath toy holders on the market do not hold up well.

I must’ve tried just about everyone imaginable over the years!

What I found to be the winner was a small, mesh laundry holder.

It is taller versus wide and has handles so that you can move it around easier.

I toss all of the bath toys in there after bath time, so it makes for easier clean up.

The mesh holder allows for air to move through so that the toys are less likely to accumulate mold.

With the right holder, you can keep your bath toys clean and mold-free!

3. Limit the Number of Toys

When it is time for bath, you may want to limit the number of toys your child has in the tub at one time.

Let your child choose 3-4 bath toys to play with prior to getting into the tub.

This way, there is less clean-up at the end and less toys exposed to water, decreasing mold growth.

Also, the bath toys are more likely to be rotated instead of in the bath every night.

This will keep your toys healthier and will help them to last longer.

4. Clean Toys Regularly

Every so often, your toys may collect some mold.

This is particularly true for foam toys, such as foam letters and numbers.

You know that there is some mold when black spots show up on the toys.

It took me years and hours of research to figure out how to clean the mold off of our bath toys!

I finally figured out that baking soda does the trick!

First, dump all of the bath toys in the tub and fill it with hot water.

Add some Dawn dish soap.

Stir the toys around with your hand and let them soak for a few minutes.

Then pull out each toy and sprinkle a little baking soda on them.

Scrub the mold off with a cloth.

Rinse.

Then place the toys on a dry towel and let them air-dry overnight.

Store all of your toys in a mesh-like container or laundry basket.

For more bath toy cleaning solution ideas from another mama, click here!

You’re a Bath Toy Champ!

Now you know how to store and keep bath toys clean and mold-free!

This is something that took me years to figure out!

And now I am so happy to pass this information on to you so that you don’t have to endure the headache and wonderment that I did every night after bath time!

Now, remember…

Try to only purchase bath toys that are hole-free!

Get yourself a mesh container or laundry bag!

Limit the number of bath toys in the tub each night!

And wash toys with hot water and Dawn dish soap.

Use baking soda to scrub any toys that have mold on them.

Make certain to air-dry afterwards!

Store bath toys in the mesh container or mesh laundry bag so that air can get to them.

Now you’re ready for a stress-free and fun-filled bath time with your child!

 

Are there other ways that you have kept your bath toys in superb shape?

Feel free to share in the comments section below!