Cleaning grubby Lego - ideas please

mamashaz

We have been lucky enough to get a huge box of Lego from our local Swapshop today. I was warned that it was grubby and it is.

Has anybody ideas for cleaning it?

We have a dishwasher, washing machine and bath (!) and have thought about putting it in a pillow case in the washing machine (mm?), dish-washing it but it'll take ages and some of the pieces are tiny and I am concerned they might mess up the working.

Thanks for any suggestions.

LJD1_2

I bought a lot of lego at a carboot and it was in an awful state. I put it all in the bath with washing up liquid and then left it to soak for several hours. I then squooshed it round with the shower head and it came up as good as new. Good luck cleaning it!

sooz

in the dishwasher, on lowest heat setting, in one of those delicate laundry net bags, and placed on the top shelf.

carly

I have washed it in a pillow case in the washing machine. Just make sure you tie a tight knot at the open end. It comes out spotless.

Strike_Team

My Mum bought me a ton of Lego from a jumble sale when I was a kid. She spent hours cleaning it using washing up liquid and an old toothbrush.

The dishwasher sounds a lot easier to me.

jessicamb

A big bucket/bath and washing powder followed by a good rinse.

I would not recomment putting it in the washing machine in case one of those tiny bits get lose and does some damage :eek: (same for DW) and I'm too lazy to scrub each one by hand. At a push I would try a short soak in cola - but it would be fairly short as the cola is as likely to dissolve the lego as the muck.

grannybroon

I think I would go with really hot water and bio soap powder for a soak as I don't have a DW.

Maybe a touch of soda crystals too!

mrsmortenharket

How would it get dry?

I have a similar problem!

lil_me

Drying - Put it on a towel in front of radiator (or in the sun in summer) works for me

There is always a risk with washine machine and dishwashers, prefer the soak in the bath method myself.

jos_4

I work at a pre-school and we put all our lego and similar items in a pillow case and then in the washing machine. To dry it we spread it out on a towel and leave it to air dry.

jrrowleyws

Just shake the worst of the water off and spread out on a towel over night,should easily dry!