What can I do with unwanted Lego?

[alwaysonadiet1]

I have two huge boxes full of random Lego. I don't have the boxes or instructions it came with. I'm doing a big declutter. How should I dispose of it?

Cutlery basket of the dishwasher.

OP is your DC at school? Ours would take it for the reception class, or lego club. Nursery maybe not as it’s only really for 4+ but you could try, ours is happy to take Duplo though- they have the train set which was donated by a parent.

Basically that

www.lego.com/en-gb/service/help/cleaning-your-lego-bricks-ka000

Re cleaning Lego. On the advice of my cousin (who works in childcare), put the Lego into an old pillow case. Tie the pillow case tightly, then wash in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. Worked a treat when our elderly cat decided to wee in the DCs' Lego box...

https://www.specialistautismservices.org/abuk/

I donated some here...

I work in an SEND unit and we are always desperate for Lego like this, so the kids can use their imaginations and create things. It’s also great when used as therapy.

I think the place you donate it to will be incredibly grateful.
It’s very kind of you OP.

I'm a second hand Lego aficionado. Do not bin it, plenty of people will buy it!

When I get second hand Lego i put it in a large mesh bag in the washing machine.

A duvet cover that zips shut, so none can escape. And lots and lots of daz in the washing machine!

Fairy liquid is pretty good in the sink

Give it to me!

If you have lots of pet hair in the box before washing it use the nozzle of the vacuum with a pop sock fixed on the end with elastic band otherwise you will end up with wet pet fur stuck to it all

Great that you are donating it 🙂🙂🙂🙂

I used to do this as an Early Years teacher- also for stickle bricks etc. You could do the sane on the top shelf of the dish washer. In Reception I also used to put the Lego in the water play with washing up liquid, sponges and scrubbing brushes.

Thanks for all the tips! I will now have sparkling Lego!!! And now to find a way to store it for quick use… :-)

In my preschool we tie it in laundry bags and run it through the dishwasher. We used to do it by hand, immerse in hot soapy water and let air dry but water gets logged into the little holes on the underside so we had to shake each piece out before setting out to dry. Ridiculous waste of time, the person on cleaning duty ended up with sore wrists from lego flicking!! So now it's dishwasher all the way

Either donate or sell by the kg.
If its a huge collection it might be worth selling.

I would donate to a school rather than nursery. Modern lego has far too many tiny bits for nursery aged children.

I'm happy to hear that you will donate the Lego! It will make someone very happy.

I agree with a previous poster that children attending a nursery are too young for the Lego. Better to give it to someone older.

Ebay or local charity

It's going to a local primary school on Monday for their Lego club.

Obviously donate. Surprised you needed to ask the question op.

I just wasn't sure how useful it would be as a mountain of Lego with no organisation or instructions

There's a lego club we used to go to in Archway (not sure how central you are?) and they also run lego therapy clubs.

https://thetoyproject.co.uk/event/lego-building-workshops-for-ages-5-2/#more-3115

They may accept donations.

I see you've already found somewhere to donate it. Your local primary school will be very grateful.

Very kind and generous of you to donate it. I'm sure it will be loved.

I've given a load to them before, they also have someone who sorts out sets I think. But they also sell random bits out of a bucket.

Now I have a load more that I'm going to struggle to even transport up there 🙃 this stuff has emotional value though so I feel I should sell it if I'm getting rid. How do I get rid of that feeling!

Lego flicking sounds like some sort of euphemism!

I sold a sportsbag of unwanted Lego years ago to a student from a local university who was making robotic models. We met at a local garage and made the swap. It was like a drug deal, I would imagine. He bought along his tiny girlfriend for protection.

PS: Lego say:
We recommend that you clean your LEGO parts by hand at max. 104°F / 40°C. Higher temperatures may affect the quality of the parts. You can add a mild detergent to the water - please rinse them well with clear water afterwards. Please don't put your bricks in the washing machine or dishwasher. Air-dry them at room temperature - never dry them in the oven, microwave or with a hair dryer.