What's the best way to wash Lego?

[Thistledew]

I have retrieved my own large stash of Lego from my parents' loft to give to DS to play with.

It's rather grubby from years of play and from being stored so I'd like to clean it up before he has it to play with. When I gave him my old Duplo I just bunged it in the dishwasher and it came up lovely and clean, but the small Lego pieces are too small to wash it in this way.

What's the best way of getting it clean? I was thinking of tying it securely in a pillowcase and putting it in the washing machine along with some towels. Is this a daft idea?

No, I'd do that.

It’ll make a right noise in the washing machine! Do you have a net bag? I’d stick it in a bag in the dishwasher personally.

Yep, washing machine works. Tie it up in something like you say.

Net laundry bag on a sixty degree wash.

I’ve heard a net laundry bag in the dishwasher works well.

I'd put it in a net bag in the dishwasher

I just use a big bucket of hot water and Milton.

Kids lick it clean.

If you don't have a laundry bag. A pair of old tights, stuffed with Lego and then knotted.

Washing machine but put some towels in too to protect the flipper things in the drum.

I speak as a hoarder of 80s lego

Just make sure you go out after putting it on to wash!

Top drawer of dishwasher in a net bag. That’s how we clean the playmobil. Works a treat.

waxy1 hahaha!

Double net laundry bagged in washing machine. I was told that the dishwasher can be too hot and can damage the Lego plastic. Exciting to have loads suddenly tho'!

If you don't have a net laundry bag then a pillow case tied tightly could work too?

Bath full of milton- I'm a teacher and the year R teachers I know clean their lego/ duplo/ multilink this way.

Dishwasher

If you use a pillow case make sure it's not an old one and that you use a gentle wash for a short time.

DP spent hours cleaning out the washing machine and filter after the Lego wore a hole in the pillowcase

Don't use high temperatures and don't use the dishwasher (because high temperatures) you may warp plates.

Fill the bath

Stick in some dettol

Swish it around

Leave to dry on a towel

Bathtub, soap, water, colander?

Don't know why but the thought of putting Lego in my washing machine gives me the heebie-jeebies!

Cold water and Milton.

Milton is used to sterilise infant feeding equipment hence it'll be fine to clean Lego for an older child.

30degree quick wash in an old pillow case with a couple of towels in with it.
We use a cable tie to fasten the pillow case

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'll go with the washing machine.

I've got a huge box full- one of those folio paper box files - the next question is whether to put it all in one pillow case or divide it in to smaller loads? Should I do two smaller case fulls in one wash or divide it between two washes?

I'm sure that Lego would be interested in the results of a proper methodological trial!

I’d go for two washes, if you put too much in it might not swish around enough. You need it to be able to move

Put it in the bath with him and a small brush and let him do it.