The question of whether bath toys can make you sick is a valid concern for many parents who have noticed the unsightly gunk that accumulates inside. Flexible bath toys, especially those that trap water in small internal cavities, create an ideal environment for microbial growth. The combination of warmth, residual moisture, and organic matter from the bathwater allows a complex community of microorganisms to flourish. This internal growth turns an otherwise fun item into a potential reservoir for various microbes.
Identifying the Microbes Inside Bath Toys
The dark, slimy substance often seen when a bath toy is cut open is not simply “mold,” but a complex structure called a biofilm. This biofilm is a dense matrix where various microorganisms live together, adhering to the toy’s inner surface. The microorganisms feed on organic carbon compounds that leach from the plastic material of the toy, in addition to nutrients from bath products and human body fluids like sweat and urine.
The microbial community often includes a mix of fungi, yeasts, and bacteria, with studies identifying millions of cells per square centimeter on the interior surfaces of used toys. Pathogenic bacteria are frequently detected within these biofilms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known to cause infections and thrives in aquatic environments. Other bacteria, such as Legionella, associated with respiratory infections, have also been identified in up to 80% of toys examined in studies. Fungi, including various molds and yeasts like Exophiala, are also present in a high percentage of bath toys.
Potential Health Effects
Exposure to the contents of a bath toy biofilm occurs when water is squeezed out, creating a spray that can be inhaled or ingested, or when the water comes into contact with the eyes or ears. While a healthy immune system can typically handle low-level exposure to these microbes without issue, the potential for sickness remains, especially under certain circumstances.
One category of risk involves allergic reactions and respiratory issues triggered by the fungal components, or molds. Inhaling mold spores or fragments, which can be aerosolized when a toy is squeezed, can trigger or worsen asthma and cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and irritation. The potential for infection is a more direct concern, especially when children squirt the water directly into their eyes or mouth.
Direct exposure can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses from ingesting bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis. Eye and ear infections are also known risks from direct spray exposure, as the water contains opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some molds within the biofilm can produce mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds that pose a risk if ingested. The risk of serious infection is significantly higher for infants and children who have compromised immune systems.
Cleaning and Prevention Strategies
Preventing the accumulation of biofilm requires consistent action to eliminate the moist, nutrient-rich environment inside the toys. The most effective step is to ensure that all water is thoroughly drained from the toy immediately after the bath is over. Toys should be squeezed out multiple times and then stored in an area where they can air-dry completely, ideally outside of the humid bathroom environment.
For toys that already show signs of contamination or for regular deep cleaning, a sanitizing soak is recommended. A solution of one part white vinegar mixed with one part water can be used to soak the toys for about an hour, ensuring the solution fills the interior cavity. A more potent disinfectant is a mild bleach solution (one tablespoon per gallon of water), requiring a soak time of about 10 minutes. After using any cleaning solution, thoroughly rinse the toys with fresh water to remove all chemical residue before allowing them to dry.
A permanent preventative measure is to use a hot glue gun or a strong waterproof adhesive to seal the small holes in squirting toys, which prevents water from entering the interior. For toys that cannot be sealed, or for very old and contaminated toys, a regular replacement schedule is the safest approach. Boiling plastic toys for a few minutes is another effective method to sterilize them, though this is only suitable for toys made of heat-tolerant materials.