To be worried about second hand toys?

[Delia88]

Got offered some brilliant second hand Happyland toys via a friend of a friend. Some of them are very old - I think it used to be called Happy Street? Anyway, the people etc have holes in the bottom, and the OCD in me is a little scared they might be harbouring mould or something. Is there any way to be able to thoroughly clean them and not have to worry with a toddler that is currently putting everything in their mouth? Thanks in advance!

If you're worried you could give them a good soak in some Milton sterilising solution before you let your DD loose on them.

you can Milton them - if you put them in a washing up bowl - its the same stuff you would use to do bottles..

although I didn't bother .. germs are good for you :)

Unless they are bath toys, they will be fine.

Put them in Milton or similar sterilising solution, make sure it goes right in filling up the hollow toy and leave overnight or something like that

Chuck them in the dishwasher if really worried

If you have a glue gun you can also seal the hole

😁😁😁 as a parent of three, including a 9 month old who is currently putting everything he can lay hands on into his mouth, I would kindly say you're being a bit precious.

However if you're genuinely worried, just chuck them in the dishwasher.

I'd stick them in the dishwasher.

Thank you all! I was going to wash in one part bleach but I was concerned black mould might be harbouring inside more than anything or might start harbouring because I’ve got them wet when washing. Aware I’m being a little precious but my OCD gets the better of me sometimes so any practical advice is greatly appreciated

You'll need to get milton in them, shake them and then try and get all the water out / dry them properly so no water left in

Or just wipe them 🤷

I stopped having bath toys for the black slime!

If I wash in one part bleach and water then dry the ones with holes in really thoroughly with a hair dryer do you think that would stop mould forming and get rid of any there already? Great suggestion re glue gun for after too thanks

I think if you introduce water then you're increasing the risk of mould exponentially.

I can't imagine there'd be anything bad in them currently. Fair enough if they were a bath toy, but they aren't!

Did your child go to nursery? Toddler group?

The toys you've bought, given a wipe over with an antibacterial wipe/cloth, will be a lot more hygienic that anything they play with outside your home!

Seriously, just give the surface area a wipe with anti bac or Milton. If you think anything more is warranted, that's your OCD speaking.

And what if the blob of glue comes out at a later date? That's a choking hazard.
Just soak in Milton and then let them dry thoroughly.

I wouldn't introduce water if you're worried about mould (I would be too).

Just give them a go over with antibacterial wipes and forget about it!

Thanks all, I think might thoroughly bleach wash everything without a hole and then use other Happyland people instead of these whilst DC putting stuff in their mouth, because mould might form inside them if I wash them. I think it’s only the people that have a hole in the bottom

Sterilise them then when dry seal the hole with superglue

I think the glue would be a potential choking hazard.

You're lucky as Happyland are expensive & also think discontinued. My kids loved them.

That's a choking hazard.

Please just give them to your children to enjoy. Believe me, constant worrying about germs will harm your dc more than these toys.

I just wouldn’t bother with them if they’ll cause you stress. Just politely decline and I’m sure nobody will care. It sounds a disproportionate amount of work and anxiety for a few plastic people.

please get some support for your mental health, that is a very disproportionate worry. Otherwise it’s going to affect your kids. My kids have barely had any new toys, it wouldn’t even cross my mind to sterilise them unless visibly dirty. We are all in excellent health.

Tbf i don’t think it’s such a crazy concern. Nearly everything my kids have owned is second hand but I give squeezy toys with holes the swerve for the exact same reason, I used to sell vintage toys and the black mouldy stuff inside can be totally grim 🤢
You can’t get it out effectively and it isn’t healthy.

Have you been diagnosed and treated for OCD. Perhaps you have but it annoys me no end when people talked about 'my ocd' to account for the fact that they are clean. A love for cleanliness has actually got zero to do with this terrible illness.