I’m a parenting expert – here’s how you should be cleaning your baby’s toys to avoid mould

BATH time is fun for your little ones, but nasties could be hiding in their toys.

While it might not be at the top of your cleaning list, one expert has warned that the little rubber duck should take priority.

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This, they explained, is to help prevent your little one ingesting or touching mould.

Parenting guru Sophie Pickles said bath toys play a huge part in a child’s learning and creative journey, helping them be imaginative, relieve stress and enjoy some fun play time.

“As some of the most used toys in your household, it’s important to clean them just as often as your child’s other toys.

“Cleaning bath toys isn’t fun, but if done properly, it can be a quick and easy process,” she said.

Mums have previously shared urgent health warnings after finding mould in their children’s toys.

One toddler also nearly lost his eyesight from playing with dirty bath toys, which is why it’s key you keep yours clean.

Sophie explained that you don’t have to spend hours cleaning the toys, and revealed her top six tips to keep them squeaky clean.

1. Give them a bath

The expert who is working with Munchkin’s said most bath toys will do just fine if you just rinse them off with fresh water at the end of bath time.

However she said it’s important to do a deep clean and a thorough bath toy check every couple of months in order to keep your toys fresh.

She said: “By far the easiest way to clean your bath toys is to fill the bath an inch or two deep, throw in a couple of sterilising tablets and let the toys soak for around an hour.

“No need for hot water or to rinse them off afterwards, just let them dry thoroughly once you’ve taken them out and they’re good to go.”

2. Use your dishwasher

You might think it’s just for dirty plates, but Sophie said for a labour-free way of cleaning your toys, you can use the dishwasher.

“You can pop toys on the top shelf of the dishwasher on a quick cycle. However I would only do this when you’re really pressed for time as it can wear down the colours if done too often,” she said.

3. Keep dry

The key to keeping mould at bay is to keep the toys as dry as possible, which Sophie admits is easier said than done with bath toys.

“The way you store them can have the biggest impact on how much mould develops so look for baskets/nets made out of mesh as this helps the toys to dry quicker.

“Munchkin’s High n Dry Organiser was made with mould reduction in mind and is really good for keeping toys both dry and organised so they’re up and out of the way,” she added.

4. Don’t soak

Don’t leave toys soaking in the bath after your little one is done bathing, Sophie said.

This, she said, is a sure way that they will end up full of mould.

Sophie said you should get a toy scoop which lets you grab toys all in one go.

5. Tidy up time

It might be the most miserable part of bath time, but Sophie said you can make putting the toys away a fun part of getting out of the bath.

“In the same way you may get your little one to tidy toys away when they are finished playing with them, before getting out of the bath, why not rinse and put them away together,” she suggested.

6. Get crafty

Usually the craft box is saved for rainy days, but the parenting expert said it could come in handy for bath toys.

“To stop any water getting into your little ones’ bath toys, use super strong glue to close off any holes in the material.

“By closing the hole, you’re ensuring that no water can enter and cause the black-mould like substance to grow.”