How do I prevent yukky black stuff coming out of bath toys?

[Lula]

My son's squirty plastic bath toys have recently been spilling out black mould. Is there any way of preventing this? Obviously don't want to use chemicals because he sucks the toys still, being 1 year old.

Thanks!

[Fuschia]

mILTON?

[Saffron]

I clean Little Saff's bath toys by putting them in a bucket of warm watter with a dozen extra strength deture tablets. I rinse them in warm water, and repeat for the ones that look really grotty. If that doesn't get it, I throw them out. Someone gave us bath toys that have holes in them. I've thrown out most of these. I'm now more careful about only putting things in her bath that I can really get clean. You can also try putting them in the dishwasher, but some toys will just mould over and over again.

xx

[Lula]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Saffron. Yes, they all have holes in them. Lamaze ones too. Will try your trick and if it doesn't work I will throw them out

X

[Saffron]

Holes in bath toys... seems like a good idea at first. The holes should let the water out, but they're never big enough to drain properly. Grrrr. Little Saff has recently discovered that her stacking cups are fun in the bath. These are great as they can actually go in the dishwasher. 99% of common moulds are not harmful, but I still don't want them in my bath! xx

[chantelle]

I was thinking about soaking mine in a bucket of bleachy water. best way to avoid it is to squeeze out the toys immediately after the bath but some people (ahem, HUBBY) don't always do this ...

[dully]

I'm glad it is not just me who has experienced the dreaded mould. I am not just really particular about buying bath toys that don't have enclosed centers and are open and can drain easily - cups, balls with no openings, sealed bath toys. I get that it is possibly harmless devil's ectoplasm but doesn't feel right subjecting the baby to it.

[Jamma]

I've yet to try this but I learned off Twitter that bleach is the way to go. Followed by extensive rinsing obviously.

[Saffron]

Bleach will certainly kill the mould/bacteria, but it doesn't dissovle oils. It can't lift off bathscum the mould is growing on, even though it can kill the mould. And not all mould stains are 100% removed by chlorine, although it may prevent some regrowth. In general, moulds are very tenacious. Even with squeezing out the water, some toys still seemed prone to mould. :(

[Fuschia]

Buy cheapo ones and chuck'em

[Pickle]

In our house the arrival of the black gunk signals it's time for the toys to go to the big bath in the sky...

(although my two think it's hilarious. "look Mummy, the duck's doing a poo". Charming)

[SummerMum]

I agree - time to throw them out. Best practice(as if) would be to always empty toys of water after the bath. I also keep them in a basket which sits next to the radiator, on a heated floor, which I tell myself helps to get rid of excess water. But when it happens, and if I can tell which one it comes out of, I will usually also send them to the big bath in the sky (like that Pickle!)