How To Clean Pool Toys for Storage

We all love the pool but let’s face it toys make it way more fun. Toys, like pool noodles, pool floats or inflatable pool toys are enjoyed by all ages. After you're finished splashing around, enjoying the pool, sun and play, we don’t always pull out the toys and clean them properly so we feel it is good practice to make time to give them all the once over to make sure they are healthy and gem free for the family to enjoy.

While you know it is important to perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your pool, you might overlook the importance of cleaning your pool toys, pool noodles, pool floats or inflatable pool toys. With a little regular TLC, your friends and family can enjoy clean and safe pool toys.

So, how often should you clean pool toys? We recommend cleaning foam toys, such as pool noodles, monthly while inflatable and plastic toys can be treated as necessary or at the end of the season when you are getting them ready for storage. After your toys have been cleaned and hosed down, it is important to let them dry thoroughly before storing them away in an enclosed space. Left-over moisture can cause mould, mildew, and bacteria to grow.

Whether you want to take the natural or chemical approach is up to you but let's look at some of the different options you have to effectively clean pool toys;

• Soap and Warm Water

• Vinegar Solution

• Baking Soda

• Chlorine Bleach

You must remove the pool toys for cleaning from the pool area to do the cleaning as no matter what method you use it could affect your pool chemistry should some of the solution end up in the pool.

The usual steps when cleaning pool toys are;

1. Remove pool toys from pool area

2. Remove excess water from the toy

3. Dry the toy before cleaning

4. Soak, brush, spray or sponge with solution

5. Rinse well, to remove the solution and grim

6. Dry the toy (towel/air dry)

7. Put away

Soap & Warm Water Mild dish soap is surprisingly a good cleaner. All you need is 1 to 2 tablespoons of dish soap mixed in with a bucket of warm water. This can be applied by using a sponge or spray bottle, then start rubbing the surface of the pool toy. This will remove the dirt from the toy/s surface. Rinse using a garden hose to remove the soap and grim. Afterward, use a dry and clean towel to dry the toy or set it off to the side to air dry.

Vinegar Solution Combine 2 parts warm water to 1 part white vinegar. This solution will dissolve unwanted dirt or residue due to the vinegar’s acidity. Once the solution is ready, soak/spray the toy/s with the solution and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, ensuring that you get it all over. When the time is up, scrub the surface of the toy with a small brush or sponge. Rinse using the garden hose to remove the solution and grim, then dry with a clean, dry towel or set it off to the side to air dry.

Baking Soda Solution To clean pool toys naturally, baking soda is a great option. The process is similar to the vinegar solution; mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 liter of warm water. The baking soda and water solution will scrub dirt, algae, and chemicals off of your favourite toys preventing mould from forming and getting someone sick. Wiped the solution all over the surface of the toy. Rinse using the garden hose to remove the solution and grim, then dry with a clean, dry towel or set it off to the side to air dry.

Deep Clean Solution For a more thorough cleaning, a mixture of chlorine bleach and water will sanitize and clean your favourite water toys. Mix up 2 cups of household bleach, 4 Liters water, then with spray, sponge or brush all over the surface of the toy. Rinse well using the garden hose to remove the solution and grim, then dry with a clean, dry towel or set it off to the side to air dry.

Note: Foam toys like pool noodles are subject to bacteria and mould growing quickly. If mould is found in foam toys, it’s best to replace them.

Storing your pool toys after use is the other half of the equation for preventing mould and mildew growth. Storing them properly will greatly decrease the chances of mould and mildew growth on your pool toys.

We hope these tips make playtime squeaky clean!