Our much-loved outdoor toys are often exposed to the elements, with weather and dirt being a daily occurrence, so keeping your little ones safe from pesky germs and making their favourite toys last for as long as possible requires regular scrubbing.
With summer on the way, this blog has everything you need to know about cleaning outdoor toys. From what supplies you need to our top tips for ensuring your toys stay cleaner for longer, discover everything you need to know with this BargainMax blog.
Supplies and Preparation: What Do You Need?
First things first, let’s cover what you need to get started on cleaning your outdoor toys. Grabbing a handful of wipes isn’t going to be enough here, as disinfecting garden toys is just as important as removing any dirt or mud. Cleaning outdoor toys means removing germs, pollen, and mould that might have accumulated, and doing this requires the right supplies.
At BargainMax, we recommend you get the following things ahead of cleaning your outdoor toys:
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Gloves: It’s always better to keep your hands clean when scrubbing away any potential grime.
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Mild Soap: Gentle or mild soap works wonders for disinfecting outdoor toys without leaving any harsh chemicals behind.
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Baking Soda: Some stains are tougher than others, and baking soda makes it easier to break down these pesky marks without the need for harsh chemicals.
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Brushes: Stubborn or thick dirt might require a bit of effort to scrub away, but coarse bristles can make it easier to remove stains and grime.
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Cloths: After an initial clean, it’s always useful to have something to wipe or dry your outdoor toys.
To ensure your outdoor toys remain safe, we recommend avoiding cleaning supplies containing harsh chemicals. Be sure to check the information provided on product packaging to see if it is suitable for everyday use.
Every Toy is Different: BargainMax Dos and Don’ts
When it comes to keeping outdoor toys clean, there are certainly some dos and don’ts we recommend for every parent. While toys like slides and seesaws or trampolines might all play the same for kids, different models can require different approaches to getting them spick and span.
There’s no single way to clean all outdoor toys, so let’s run through some essential advice for how to go about cleaning your kids’ favourite water toys, bikes, and more.
Toy Cleaning Dos
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Cleaning Plastic Toys: Give these toys a quick shake to remove any dirt or sand that might be hiding inside, then wash with a mix of soap and water. Plastic is a hard, durable material, so be sure to give it a thorough scrub and use a vinegar solution to disinfect it. Lastly, remember to rinse and dry thoroughly!
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Cleaning Metal Toys: Rust is something to watch for with metal toys, so use a brush to give them a thorough scrub. Wiping over with a mild cleaner removes any lingering bacteria, and you can also apply a protective, non-toxic coating if preferred to provide weather and moisture resistance.
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Removing Stubborn Stains: We’re sure you’ll be happy to know that outdoor toys can develop a variety of stains. Mud, bird droppings, grime – getting rid of these unpleasant marks can be difficult, so always make sure you have a few different types of brushes to scrub away stains and a cleaning agent to help.
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Eco-friendly Solutions: Keeping your outdoor toys clean doesn’t need to harm the environment, and non-toxic, biodegradable solutions are also much safer for your kids. We recommend steering clear of manufactured products and sticking with mixes of water and white vinegar, castile soap, or baking soda.
Toy Cleaning Don’ts
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Cleaning Wooden Toys: Over-soaking wood causes it to warp, crack, and degrade in quality, so cleaning wooden garden toys without damaging the wood requires a light wipe-down and a swift drying afterwards.
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Cleaning Plastic Toys: Using abrasive cleaners can cause scratches on plastic surfaces, ruining the quality and joy of toys like slides. Avoiding these products is therefore highly recommended.
After Cleaning: What to Do Next
Once you’ve finished cleaning your outdoor toys, there are a few extra steps to ensure a job well done. Especially important if your little ones are looking forward to summer days spent inside their Dolu playhouse, proper maintenance is required to ensure their little home is safe for them to enjoy.
Once you’re finished cleaning, we recommend:
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Thoroughly drying your toys. This is key to preventing the buildup of mould and stopping corrosion. As mentioned above, drying is a critical step when cleaning wooden toys, so always ensure you use a cloth to wipe away excess moisture.
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Storing your newly cleaned toys in a shaded or covered area if they aren’t going to be used right away. If you’ve got a shed or garage, keeping bikes, football equipment, scooters, and other outdoor play equipment inside can extend the lifespan of toys by keeping harsh weather conditions at bay.
How to Maintain Your Clean Outdoor Toys
Keeping your outdoor toys clean is just as important as giving them a thorough clean after a long winter, so we recommend:
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Cleaning heavily used toys at least once per week and cleaning less popular toys monthly.
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Rinsing outdoor toys after each use to wash off any dirt before it can build up.
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Wiping down frequently touched areas like handlebars to remove bacteria.
How to Clean Outdoor Toys - Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Way to Remove Green Algae From a Garden Slide?
For speed, you can pressure wash outdoor kids' toys to quickly remove green algae. For a more thorough clean, use a household cleaning solution to brush away the most affected areas.
How Do I Get Mould Out of Outdoor Playhouses?
Mould can be harmful to young children, and outdoor playhouses have so many nooks and crannies that it’s important to give them a thorough clean. Wearing gloves and a mask, spray a household solution on the affected areas, then scrub with a brush. Remember to rinse thoroughly with water and dry.
Why is it Important to Clean Outdoor Toys After Winter?
While they aren’t in use, outdoor toys will accumulate their fair share of mould, mildew, bacteria, and allergens throughout winter. To ensure children can enjoy a summer of playing in a hygienic environment, it’s therefore important to give these toys a thorough clean.
Discover the Best Toys at BargainMax
Give your children an endless summer of play with outdoor toys from BargainMax. Kids will love them for how they spark the imagination and encourage physical activity, and parents will love them for how easy they are to set up, clean, and maintain year after year.
From bikes that unlock a world of exploration to trampolines that help kids literally reach new heights, our range of toys has everything children need to play, grow, and have plenty of fun.
