Cleaning Lego

[LoobyLou9]

How many of you want to freshen up the old Lego Bricks from time to time or wash if bought in secondhand? I have a really great tip here. Had a big bucket load to do recently and suddenly realised that if I gave it a good soak overnight, in hot soapy water with just a little Zoflora to disinfect, ( don't put any bricks with the stickers on in this soak other wise they will be lost) after rinsing thoroughly the next morning, I put it in small batches into my Salad Spinner and it spun out loads of the water! With each batch use a metal flour sieve to lift out of the water, makes it easy to catch the really small bits and then run under the tap to rinse. Pop Lego into Spinner, spin 2 or three times, you will be amazed at how uch water comes out and then lay on a large towel folded into several layers and pat off with another large towel. The Lego is then dry enough to go into the play box. Simples!! Hope this helps xx

From a housekeeping perspective that is a brilliant method OP!

BUT.....

Life. Is. Too. Short

In a zipped net bag in the washing machine or dishwasher is much easier, then hang the bag outside to fully dry.
I've done that with 2nd hand bits and when we had a flea infestation (washed EVERYTHING).

I built an industrial cleaning plant from Lego and by the morning it had cleaned itself!

I find washing clothes and dishes dull enough…… the thought of washing Lego, then spinning them dry in batches………. My lord!!

At work we put it in large zipper net bags about half full, soak in a bath full of Milton overnight or put it on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Lift the full bags out and lay them on towels to air dry.

I once out done in a pillowcase in the washing ms home because it was really dusty. Otherwise, in 10 Lego- intense years, I’ve never felt the urge the wash Lego.

Thanks for the great tip. I normally put them in a net bag and in the dishwasher, then let them dry loose on a towel.

I used to Chuck it in a duvet cover and knot the end so it couldn't escape then bung it in the washing machine for a gentle wash. It all comes out like new.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I built an industrial cleaning plant from Lego and by the morning it had cleaned itself!

🤣🤣

I’ve washed second hand Duplo in the dishwasher

Hmm why do you need to disinfect lego? Anyway, it's not great to mix Zoflora with anything. Great idea about the salad spinner!

When I first read dishwasher I thought it was an excellent idea (and still do) but jeez, I was exhausted reading your method. Although I do appreciate people posting tips as I'm slovenly messy and then do sometimes help.

The reason for the disinfecting was due to it being a large amount of Lego bought during the Pandemic. There is no way I was going to allow little ones to play with it until I was happy that it was clean. Zoflora is safe as long as it is used in small amounts and rinsed thoroughly. I used to work in Health & Hygiene, training staff in every conceivable place that the public could be so I do know a lot about the safety practices using products.

Short of Lego landing in a large bucket of vomit, and even then it would get a dunk in a sink of soapy water, I can never ever imagine a scenario where I am washing Lego.

We used to use the washing machine until my sister-in-laws pillow case split and the Lego wrecked her machine. Since then, after the expense to her and my brother, we have done it by hand. Sorry if I seem stupid to some of you through this, I thought it was worth a share in case it helped.

We stick all of ours in a zipped up bedding set and pop it in the washer but I’ve heard of people washing it in the dishwasher too

I put our class Lego into a big box of warm water with washing up liquid in and asked a few children to mix it all around then put it on a cloth in the sun to dry. You would not believe the colour of the water! We then did all the plastic maths equipment.

I did get the children to wash their hands afterwards!

I feel you could just soak them in warm soapy water then let them all dry on an old towel. That. Is. It.

I like your tip for the salad spinner to dry it! At the end of the school year I bring home batches of Lego to wash and have used the washing machine pillow case method.

I also like the idea of soaking in Milton. I bought a load of dusty old Lego from the charity shop once and used this.

I've cleaned our Levi collection....twice. Both times because our old and very lazy cat decided to take a piss in the Lego box (which is under my daughter bed, and I've told her a million times to make sure the lid is on it but...)

All of it went in the warm bath with a good dose of bio washing liquid and a wee bit bleach, swirled around with a big spoon. Then I laid towels under the hall radiators and lifted out batches in a sieve. Spaced out on towel and it was dry after a couple of hours. Back into clean box, smelling 100 times nicer.

Not a fun job though. If it happens again, it's all going in the bin.

Levi = lego