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WHILE some babies enjoy bath time like a duck in water, others may develop an immediate aversion and scream as soon as their foot touches the surface.
However, bath toys can be an excellent way to distract your little ones while you attempt to give them a thorough cleaning and navigate the challenging evening routine.
Montana Brown has advised parents to inspect their bath toys for holesCredit: Instagram
The former Love Island star was horrified to discover disgusting mould insideCredit: Instagram
However, the former star, 30, revealed that she was met with a “nasty surprise” when she cut open one of her son’s rubber animal bath toys, only to find that the inside was filled with mould.
In a shocking clip shared on Instagram , she stated: “This is your sign to dispose of your bath toys with holes in them because this is what’s lurking inside.”
The – who has a son named Jude and a nine-month-old daughter named Miley with fiancé Mark O’Connor, can be seen using scissors to cut open the bath toy, revealing its contents.
Along with the post, she issued an urgent warning to parents, saying: “Get rid of your bath toys with holes, everyone, because they’re breeding mould.
“I had no idea this was inside, so we got quite the shock.”
It wasn’t long before the comments section was inundated with messages from other mothers.
“So disgusting, isn’t it!! We have some really cute ones without holes, and they are the only ones we use!” wrote one user.
Another commented: “I noticed this! The bath had all these black bits in it, and it took me ages to figure it out.”
Here's How to Clean Your Baby’s Toys to Prevent Mould
Parenting expert Sophie Pickles explained that you don’t need to spend hours cleaning the toys and shared her top six tips for keeping them spotless.
1. Give Them a Bath
The expert, who is collaborating with Munchkin, stated that most bath toys will be fine with just a rinse in fresh water at the end of bath time.
However, she emphasized the importance of conducting a deep clean and thorough check of bath toys every few months to keep them fresh.
She suggested: “The easiest way to clean your bath toys is to fill the tub with an inch or two of water, add a couple of sterilising tablets, and let the toys soak for about an hour.
“There’s no need for hot water or rinsing afterward; just let them dry thoroughly once you take them out, and they’ll be good to go.”
2. Use Your Dishwasher
You might think the dishwasher is only for dirty plates, but Sophie mentioned that it can also be used to clean toys effortlessly.
“You can place toys on the top shelf of the dishwasher on a quick cycle. However, I recommend doing this only when you're short on time, as it can fade the colors if done too frequently,” she advised.
3. Keep Dry
The key to preventing mould is to keep the toys as dry as possible, which Sophie admits is easier said than done with bath toys.
“The way you store them greatly impacts how much mould develops, so look for mesh baskets or nets, as they help the toys dry more quickly.
“Munchkin’s High n Dry Organiser was designed with mould reduction in mind and is excellent for keeping toys both dry and organized, ensuring they’re out of the way,” she added.
4. Don’t Soak
Avoid leaving toys soaking in the bath after your child is done bathing, as this is a surefire way for them to become mouldy.
Sophie recommends getting a toy scoop that allows you to gather all the toys at once.
5. Tidy Up Time
Although it might be the least enjoyable part of bath time, Sophie suggests making the cleanup a fun activity after bath time.
“Just as you teach your little one to tidy up after playtime, consider rinsing and putting the toys away together before exiting the bath,” she proposed.
6. Get Crafty
Typically, the craft box is reserved for rainy days, but the parenting expert indicated it could be useful for bath toys.
“To prevent water from entering your children's bath toys, use strong glue to seal any holes in the material.
“By closing the hole, you ensure that no water can enter and cause the growth of that black mould-like substance.”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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