Your Bathtub’s Dirty
Little Secret

Your bathtub could be harboring a thriving colony of mold within plain sight, even if you hire a cleaning company to professionally scour its surfaces every other week and use these tips to keep it clean. The culprit? Bath toys. And they are likely teaming with it.

That’s right. Your rubber ducky is a Trojan horse for mold.

Of course, anything that traps moisture has the potential to grow mold; the spores are pretty much everywhere, just waiting for the right environment to grow. Bath toys, sip cups, nasal aspirators, and humidifiers are often the most innocent—and the most insidious—because they come in very close contact with babies who are still developing their immune systems.

While the risk of becoming sick from mold is low for most children, those with mold allergies will experience increase coughing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and sometimes respiratory issues like wheezing and asthma.

Luckily, learning how to clean bath toys isn’t hard; it just takes a good eye (you’ll see it plainly as a dark or gray growth), a strong cleaning solution, and some elbow grease. Read more bath toy cleaning tips here.

Avoid Bathtub Mold And Mildew With These Easy Tips

Once the mold sets up shop inside bathtub squeeze toys, like the rubber ducky, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to completely rid the plastic of that “black ooze.” At that point, it’s probably a good idea to toss them and start fresh. Once you have the new one, plug the “blow hole” with a dab of caulk or hot glue. This will prevent moisture and mold from entering, and it will extend the lifespan and the enjoyment of your favorite bath toys.

There are other ways to prevent mildew and mold from taking over your bathroom and your family’s health. The most important one is air movement, so try these tips at home:

• Allow toys to dry, elevated on a shelf or in a net, near a vent or open window.
• Run the bath fan at least 20 minutes after each shower or bath.
• Keep doors open as often as possible to encourage deep circulation.
• Limit the number of toys allowed in the bathtub to allow for plenty of air to move in and around them when not in use.

Keeping mildew and mold away from children—and really everyone—takes a dedicated effort from the family and a team of professional housecleaners. If you need more help in your corner, we’re up to the task. Call us at 1-800-843-6243 for your free estimate.