5 Cheap & Easy Ways to Remove Mold from Pool Toys

Pool toys are a great addition to water activities, especially during the summer.  From inflatables to squirt guns, these toys add an extra dose of fun to keep everyone entertained.

Many types of pool toys are made of PVC, vinyl, or foam –some even have a fabric covering.  While many of these materials provide a cleanable surface, regular exposure to water can still lead to unpleasant mold formation similar to what can appear on patio cushions.

While mold generally does not cause significant harm from short exposure, it’s still something that most people don’t want to be in contact with.

That’s why it’s essential to clean your pool toys occasionally so that you can have them ready to go for next use!  

Here we’ll look at how to remove mold from pool toys –there are several easy methods:

Method 1: Using Dish Soap and Water

The most straightforward way to remove mold from pool toys is by using soap and water. Not only do you have easy access to the materials, but it won’t need any complicated preparation at all.

Keep in mind that soap and water work best for mild mold formations. 

Now, if your pool toy is inflatable, you’ll want to inflate it first before cleaning. Then, mix a tablespoon or two of dish soap with a bucketful of water. Stir the mixture until suds form.

At this point, you can dip a sponge or rag into your cleaning mixture and dampen the pool toy.  

Then, gently scrub the area where mold has formed. You should see the mold come off easily if it hasn’t been on the toy for very long.

Afterwards, you can rinse of the toy with clean water to get rid of any suds.

Method 2: Using Bleach and Water

A bleach and water mixture is the most effective method for removing mold from pool toys, especially for stubborn ones.

Typically, a tablespoon of bleach with a gallon of water is enough to create an effective solution. Take this mixture and wipe it on the affected areas of the pool toys.

If you’re following this method, you’ll need gloves. That’s because bleach can be irritating to your skin.

It’s important to note that using your pool toys regularly in lakes or reservoirs may have more algae and mold than usual. That’s why you may need a stronger solution.

Instead of a tablespoon, you’ll want to mix a quarter cup of bleach with a gallon of water. This way, the stronger bleach concentration can disinfect your pool toys better.

Leave the mixture on the toy for about five minutes before rinsing.

When cleaning off the solution, try to use a garden hose. However, it’s crucial that you wash it off on an inorganic surface, such as cement. Otherwise, depending on the concentration of bleach in the solution, you may destroy nearby plants or grass because of the toxic runoff.

On the other hand, if your pool toys are small enough, you can rinse them off in your tub. Just make sure that the solution doesn’t touch your shower curtain.

If you end up forgetting to rinse the bleach off afterwards, it has the potential of discoloring a fabric covering that may be on the pool toy.

Method 3: Using Baking Soda and Water

Another natural way to scrub off mold from your pool toy is by mixing a quarter cup of baking soda with a quarter gallon of warm water. The water temperature helps in dissolving the baking soda much faster.

Not only is baking soda safe to use, but it can also remove bad odor from your pool toys.

If you’re cleaning inflatable pool toys, it’s better to wipe them with the solution. However, you can completely immerse smaller pool toys in the bucket of water and baking soda for better results.

Once your pool toys are coated with the solution, scrub the moldy areas with a soft-bristled brush.

Sometimes, you may not be able to remove the molds with a one-time scrub. In this case, you can rinse and repeat the process until the molds are gone.

Method 4: Using Vinegar and Water

Vinegar is another popular household item that many use for cleaning. That includes removing mold from pool toys.

To use this, mix one part of vinegar with two parts of warm water in a bucket. Make sure that you’re using white vinegar since it has a higher acidity level, making it a better cleaning agent.

However, if you’re sensitive to the strong smell of white vinegar, you can opt for apple cider vinegar instead.

Once the solution is thoroughly mixed, submerge the toys in the bucket. Let it sit for about ten to 15 minutes so that the vinegar mix reaches all nooks and crannies.

Then, you can scrub the toys with a soft brush or sponge until you remove all mold. Rinse the toys with water after, making sure that all dirt gets washed away.

The last step is to dry them with a clean towel. Alternatively, you can also leave them out to air dry.

Method 5: Dishwasher

If you have small plastic pool toys, it may be possible to run them through a cycle in the dishwasher to remove any stubborn mold. Since some plastics are not intended to be exposed to high heat, you may want to reduce the temperature setting on the dishwasher.

The detergents combined with the rotating sprayers will help get those toys so clean that you could eat off them!

How to Prevent Mildew on Pool Toys

Now that we’ve reviewed how to remove mold from pool toys, here are some tips on how to prevent it from returning:

• Dry pool toys off after use, or allow to air dry.
• Store in a dry, ventilated space.
• Dry and deflate pool toys before storing them for winter. Deflating will allow for easier storage indoors where they can stay dry.

As you can see, keeping pool toys dry is key to preventing mold on them!

Final Takeaway

Removing mold from pool toys is usually a piece of cake. You can easily do it yourself at home if you have just a few spare minutes.

The greatest thing about the methods mentioned here is that they include supplies that you likely already have at home.

Now that you know how to remove mold from pool toys, you can test them out to see what works best for your items! Just remember, keeping the pool toys dry after use is key to keeping them free from mold.

Happy (Clean) Swimming!