How to Clean and Organize Bathtub Toys

If your child is like every other child in the world they probably love playing with toys in the bathtub. Often times the first place these toys go is into their mouths, so knowing how to clean and organize them is a must! The bathroom is a filthy place full of germs and tub toys can quickly harbor unwanted mold, mildew, and germs.

Some parents will clean bathtub toys with a solution of bleach and water which is very effective, but not exactly the best thing for your child. Vinegar is also just as effective but a little safer for your child. Learn how to use it to keep tub toys free of mold and mildew as well as how to keep them tidy in the bathroom with these tips on How to Clean and Organize Bathtub Toys.

How to Clean and Organize Bathtub Toys

Cleaning Your Toys

To make a vinegar solutions mix 2 parts hot tap water to 1 part vinegar and let soak for fifteen to twenty minutes. Make sure that with rubber duckies and toys that have holes in the bottom that you squeeze them under water allowing the vinegar solution to clean inside the toy. After soaking make sure that you rinse the toys well and air dry before putting them away. Pay close attention that you have rinsed the inside of the toy just as well.

The dishwasher is another effective way to sanitize your toys. The hot water in the dishwasher is very effective in sanitizing and I often do this once a month along with cleaning them with vinegar weekly. Dishwasher detergent can have toxic chemicals so make sure you use a plant based cleaner or better yet just let the hot water do the sanitizing for you and skip the harsh chemicals.

Organizing Bathtub Toys

Make sure your toys are completely dry before storing. This will not stop mold and mildew growth completely but it will deter it a little. Believe it or not it is best to store your bathtub toys in another room that is not so damn and steamy. So once your toys are dry try moving them to another room for storage. If this does not work for you it may be best to clean in your vinegar solution a little more often.

Colander – This is a great tool to organize bathtub toys in because it pretty much does it all! Once you have drained the tub you can throw the toys in the colander and let them dry out thoroughly and then set them to the side for storage.

Mesh Bag – This is another great invention to use to organize bathtub toys. Just place the toys in the bag and hang either on a bar in your bathtub or from your shower head. Close the curtain and your toys are hidden and out of site.

Plastic Bucket – This works well but you will need to put a few drainage holes on the bottom to keep water from building up after usage. Place your bucket under the sink on top of a plastic mat when not in use.

Plastic Beach Tote – This fits well next to the tub and can keep them well contained but easy enough to grab when you’re short on time and energy.

There are plenty of bath tub toy holders on the market that may work better for you. The main thing with bathtub toys is to keep it down to a minimum. It is hard to organize bathtub toys when they keep on multiplying. If you can’t resist another bath tub toy purchase then by all means grab the cute little toy, but when you get home look at what you have on hand and get rid of an old one. If you can’t part with a toy and they are piling up and getting out of control, try rotating your toys. Keep one stash in the closet in the bedroom and the other in the bathroom rotating them every month or so. This will help keep your little one from getting bored of the same old thing each and every time!