If your family loves LEGO, you’ll want to make sure that they stay clean and sanitized. Regular cleaning of loose pieces is key to keeping your bricks in tip-top shape, but it’s also essential to keep tabs on already-built models since they can accumulate dust over time. To help you figure out every step of the LEGO cleaning process, here are some tips and tricks.

Why It’s Important to Clean LEGO

Cleaning these blocks regularly is particularly critical if kids use them most, as children are highly likely to put toys in their mouths. Regular cleaning also helps prevent the spread of illness in childcare settings.

How to Clean LEGO

The best and safest way to clean LEGO is by hand since hot water can warp the pieces and make them ineffective. Here’s how to clean your LEGO:

  1. Use the brick separator to break apart bricks into individual pieces and add them to the first dishpan.
  2. Add a teaspoon of dish detergent to the dishpan with the LEGOs.
  3. Fill the dishpan with water no hotter than 104℉ (per the LEGO website).
  4. Swirl or stir the bricks in the detergent solution for three to five minutes.
  5. Pour off the detergent solution, and then rinse with clean water until the water is clear and free of suds.
  6. Lay cleaned bricks on a towel and allow them to air dry completely.

How to Dust Lego

You should routinely dust any LEGO you have on display, as they gradually gather dust. Here’s how to dust your LEGO pieces:

  1. Stretch the netting over the end of the hose attachment on the vacuum and secure it with the rubber band.
  2. Starting at the top of the set, use the makeup brush to brush off the dust, rotating as needed to clean the entire build.
  3. Use a blow dryer on the cool setting to work the dust out of the interior of a model where the brush won’t fit.
  4. Use disinfectant wipes to clean the hard, non-porous surface where the set is displayed before replacing it.

How to Sanitize and Disinfect LEGO

You can disinfect and sanitize your blocks using a bleach and water solution because they are hard non-porous plastic. Here’s how to sanitize and disinfect your LEGO:

  1. Use the brick separator to break apart bricks into individual pieces and add them to the first dishpan.
  2. Add one cup of bleach to the second dishpan and fill it with water.
  3. Soak the bricks in the bleach solution for ten minutes.
  4. Rinse the bricks thoroughly with clean water until the water is clear and free of bleach.
  5. Lay the bricks on a towel and allow them to air dry completely.

Cleaning your LEGO doesn’t have to be a hassle. With these tips and tricks, you can keep your LEGO bricks in excellent condition for years to come.