Cleaning bath toys instead of tossing them out

We have all done it – suddenly discovered a favorite bath toy has gone all green and black inside because of water sitting in there, and toss it out in hopes it won’t be missed at bath time.  Next time, try cleaning it first.

Take a large pail and dump a half cup of vinegar in with a gallon of water (double the vinegar and water if you have a large batch of bath toys).  With gloves on, immerse the toys in the mixture, squeezing them to expel out any bacteria and mildew, as well as to get the vinegar mixture inside, then let soak for 15 or so minutes.  Repeat if they are really gross!

You can also do this as a preventative treatment every few weeks to prevent the build up from happening.  You can also make it a rule for your child to squeeze out all the water from inside the toys when he or she is getting out of the tub, as this will also help prevent the problem from starting.

So next time you notice that yellow rubber ducky is looking a little bit green around the gills, try this!