Choosing and cleaning bath toys: drain the water, prevent mold, and store them
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Bath toys with a hole trap water. Learn about the different types, how to keep them clean, where to drain them, and when to replace them.
You squeeze the rubber duck to squirt a stream of water, and what comes out is grayish. Anyone who has ever cut open a rubber duck knows what's inside: water that's been sitting there for months, in the dark, at bath temperature. It's not a disaster, but you don't want it in a two-year-old's bathwater.
As the evenings get shorter and outdoor play moves indoors, the bath once again becomes the most important play area in the house for half an hour a day. It's a good time to check what's in that basket, what can go, and what you might want to buy differently.
The hole is the whole problem
Almost all classic bath toys are hollow and have a small hole at the bottom. That hole is responsible for the squirting and squeaking — and it also allows water to enter that never completely drains out. Inside, it stays damp, and grime naturally grows on a damp surface.
This leaves you with roughly three choices, and it's wise to make them consciously rather than accidentally falling into one:
Sealed toys. No hole, so no water gets in. Doesn't squirt, but can be cleaned with a cloth in ten seconds.
Toys with a hole that you accept. Cheap, fun, and you just replace them regularly. A fine choice, as long as you actually do it.
Toys with a hole that you seal. A drop of waterproof glue or silicone sealant in the hole. It won't squirt anymore, but it will last for years.
Four types of bath toys, and what they're good at
Ducks and floating figures. The basics. They float, they're light, and they almost never break. A set like Yellow Rubber Ducks, 15 pieces costs €14.95 — with fifteen pieces, you can painlessly throw a few away when they need replacing. For something special: the Color-Changing Rubber Duck reacts to water temperature and costs €4.95, and the Rainbow Rubber Duck 10 cm is available for €14.95.
Inflatable toys. Large volume, low weight, and afterwards, you let the air out and it's gone. The Bestway Inflatable Mini Animal Bath Toys, 6 pieces cost €4.95. Pay attention to the valves: they sometimes get clogged with soap residue, rinsing them helps.
Squirting and spraying toys. Popular with toddlers, but this is precisely the category where water gets trapped inside. The Whale Bath Sprinkler Toy (€9.95) falls into this category. Feel free to buy it, but after the bath, place it upright with the opening facing down.
Water balls and boats. More for the garden or pool than the bathtub, but they also work in a basin. Reusable Water Balls cost €16.00 and replace the disposable version; a Water Ball Set of 3 pieces starts from €9.95. Floating boats are also nice for the bath, such as the Intex Children's Boat with Eyes for €9.95.
Cleaning: one routine, two moments
You don't need to make a project out of this. Two fixed moments are enough.
When
What you do
Every time, after the bath
Squeeze toys over the bath until no more water comes out, then let them drain with the opening facing down
Once a month
Soak everything for half an hour in warm water with a splash of vinegar or all-purpose cleaner, rinse thoroughly, let dry completely before putting it back in the basket
That "letting dry completely" is the step most often skipped and makes the biggest difference. Wet toys put into a closed container will still be wet the next day.
If you use bath products, keep them separate from the toys. A Rainbow Bath Bomb 180 grams (€9.00) leaves color and residue that only makes toys stickier, so rinse after a bath bomb. For the very youngest, Inoli Baby Bath Oil Calming 200 ml (€6.99) is a calmer choice; oil does make the bath slipperier, so be aware of that.
Storage: draining comes before tidying
The classic closed toy basket is exactly wrong. What you want is something that water can drain from and air can get to. A net or a container with holes in the side, hung above the bath or on the wall, does that.
Not everyone wants to drill into tiles. Self-Adhesive Hooks 6x6 cm, 10 pieces cost €5.95 and are enough to hang a net, a washcloth, and a bathrobe. Make sure to place the hooks on a dry, smooth surface and let them cure for a day before hanging weight on them.
Another practical tip for those with small parts in the bath: a Silicone Drain Cover for €5.95 keeps out hair and small caps. Saves you a job with a plunger.
What should be on the packaging
Toys sold within the EU must bear a CE mark and state the manufacturer's or importer's details, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Additionally, toys not intended for children under three years of age must carry a warning to that effect. For bath toys, pay particular attention to loose parts and eyes, and adhere to the age indication provided by the manufacturer. If you have doubts about a specific item, current information is always available on the NVWA website.
When do you throw it away?
No complicated rules; three signals are enough. If you squeeze it and discolored water comes out. If dark spots are visible through the plastic. If it smells again within a week after cleaning. In all three cases: throw it away. Bath toys are not an investment and do not need to last for years.
A useful way to end the bath routine, by the way, is calm light in the bedroom. The Children's Night Light Projector with 15 slides costs €39.95 and turns "out of the bath" and "to bed" into one smooth transition instead of two arguments.
Restock for the winter season
Go through the basket once, discard what's used up, and replenish with a few new items. You can find the selection under Bath Toys, items for the bathroom itself under Bathroom & Accessories, and articles for the very youngest under Baby & Toddler. Other toys can be found under Toys. Questions about an item or delivery time? Email info@verpakkingdeals.nl and we'll help you further.
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