Pool toys do wonders for children learning to swim. It helps them relax, associate the water with fun, and learn new skills. In order to keep these toys in good condition, you need to properly clean them after a trip to the pool and store them in the proper area. While the chlorine in most pools will sanitize toys, mold and mildew can grow on it if they aren’t dried properly. This is especially true for porous toys such as pool noodles. Toys used in non-chlorinated water on the other hand, may start growing algae. Here are some ways to properly clean your child’s pool toys!
Option 1: Household Bleach
Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, but can also be irritating to your skin when using it, so make sure to use gloves! To clean the toys with bleach, mix two cups into 4 liters of water. Use a sponge to apply the mixture to the toys and a bristled brush and scrub away any dirt. Rinse well and dry it off. We suggest to let it air dry under the sun to make sure no moisture if left for mold to grow.
Option 2: Baking Soda
For those that don’t want to use a strong chemical like bleach, you may opt to use baking soda, which is a natural alternative. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda into close to one liter of warm water. Wipe the mixture onto dry toys with a rag and rinse off. Smaller toys may be completely submerged in the mixture. Rinse well and completely dry. Not only will this get rid of existing unwanted chemicals, dirt, and algae, but it will also help prevent the formation of mold.
Storage
Cleaning pool toys are an important step in keeping your children’s toys safe for use. Equally important, however, is properly storing these toys away. If stored in the wrong place, mold and mildew may still grow. So after cleaning and drying off the toys, make sure to store them in an area that gets ventilation/is breathable and has low moisture. If you place them in a cabinet, you may want to place charcoal or a dehumidifier to lessen the moisture.
Toys are great fun in the pool! To ensure safe use, give these tips a try!
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