TL;DR
Wash building bricks in a mesh bag or colander using lukewarm soapy water and a soak of about fifteen minutes. Keep the water below hand-hot, since heat warps the studs that make bricks clutch. Rinse well and spread them in a single layer to air dry completely.
Why does water temperature matter so much?
Water temperature matters because building bricks rely on a precise fit between studs and tubes, and the plastic used in them softens with heat. A brick that warps even slightly loses its clutch, so it either falls off or grips too hard. Lukewarm water cleans just as well without that risk.
Hot water also fades printed elements and can craze clear or translucent pieces. There is no cleaning benefit that justifies it. If the water feels hot on your wrist, it is too hot for the bricks.
Should you put building bricks in the dishwasher?
No. A dishwasher combines high heat, a heated dry cycle, and strong detergent, all of which warp and haze plastic bricks. Small pieces also escape through basket gaps and end up in the drain filter or the heating element. Hand washing in lukewarm water is the reliable method.
The same logic applies to a washing machine. Agitation chips corners and printed faces, and small pieces jam in the drum seal.
How do you wash a bin of building bricks?
Sort out electronics, stickers, and paper elements first. Put the rest in a mesh laundry bag or a colander, soak in lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap for about fifteen minutes, agitate gently, then rinse thoroughly and spread the bricks in a single layer to dry.
1. Sort. Anything with a battery, a motor, a light, or a sticker comes out. So does anything with a paper or cloth element, and anything already cracked.
2. Bag or basket them. A zippered mesh laundry bag keeps small pieces together. A colander works for larger batches. Either one lets water move through and drain.
3. Soak. Lukewarm water, a small squeeze of dish soap, fifteen minutes. Do not overload the basin, since bricks need room for water to circulate.
4. Agitate gently. Swirl the bag by hand or stir with a spoon. Aggressive shaking chips corners.
5. Brush the stubborn ones. A soft toothbrush handles crayon marks, sticky residue, and the grime that collects in the tubes underneath.
6. Rinse well. Fresh lukewarm water, at least twice. Soap left in the tubes dries to a white film and makes bricks feel gritty.
7. Dry in a single layer. Spread them on a towel or a mesh drying rack, turn them once, and give them several hours.
Drying is the step that decides the result
Bricks hold water in the hollow underside of every piece. A brick that goes into a closed bin still damp stays damp, and a full bin of damp plastic in a closed container is what makes a toy bin smell.
Lay a towel down and spread the bricks out so none are stacked. Turn them at least once so the hollow sides drain. Moving air helps a lot, whether that is an open window or a fan on low.
Do not use a hair dryer, a heat vent, or a warm oven. All of them reintroduce the heat problem you avoided during the wash. Direct sun for hours can also fade colors, so a bright shaded spot is better.
Handling specific problems
Sticky residue. Warm soapy water and a soft brush handles most of it. Adhesive from tape or a sticker may need a longer soak and patient rubbing with a thumb rather than a solvent.
Crayon or marker. A soft brush and soap works on crayon. Permanent marker is often permanent on printed plastic, and solvents that would remove it also strip printed faces.
Yellowed white bricks. Long sun exposure is the usual cause, and it is a chemical change in the plastic rather than surface soil. Cleaning does not reverse it.
Dusty bin bottom. Much of what accumulates in a brick bin is house dust and crumbs rather than anything stuck to the bricks. Pour the bin through a colander over a trash can before washing, and vacuum the empty bin out.
Minifigures and small accessories. Those with printed faces should be hand washed with a soft cloth rather than soaked, since printing wears off with agitation.
Sorting and storage after the wash
Store bricks in a bin with airflow rather than a fully sealed tub, and keep it off a damp floor. Bins with drainage holes let any residual moisture escape.
Small pieces are a choking concern for young children, so keep brick sets out of reach of infants and toddlers who share the space with older siblings.
How often does a brick bin need washing?
Twice a year is enough for most families, with a quick spot clean when something specific happens. Bins that live on the floor, get played with outdoors, or move between households benefit from a shorter interval.
Batch the whole toy area on the same day if you can. The general process for plastic toys in bulk covers the mixed bin, wooden toys follow their own never-soak rule, and a toy play kitchen mixes both. Our overall guide on how to clean baby gear and kids equipment safely shows how the pieces fit together. The floors those bins empty onto are the other half of the job, and they are the half most people hand to a home cleaning service.
FAQ
Can you put building bricks in the dishwasher?
No. Dishwasher heat warps the studs that let bricks clutch together, hazes clear pieces, and fades printing. Small pieces also slip through the basket into the drain or the heating element. Hand wash in lukewarm soapy water instead, using a mesh bag or a colander.
What water temperature should you use to wash toy bricks?
Lukewarm, meaning comfortable on your wrist and never hot. Heat softens the plastic just enough to distort the studs and tubes that make bricks hold together. Lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap cleans just as effectively without the risk.
Can you wash building bricks in the washing machine?
It is a bad idea. Agitation chips corners and printed faces, small pieces jam in the drum seal, and the spin cycle can crack thin elements. A mesh bag reduces losses but does not solve the impact damage. A hand soak in a basin is safer and works better.
How do you dry building bricks quickly?
Spread them in a single layer on a towel with none stacked, turn them once so the hollow undersides drain, and set a fan on low nearby. Several hours is typical. Avoid hair dryers, heat vents, and ovens, since heat causes the same warping you avoided during washing.
How do you get sticky residue off toy bricks?
Soak them longer in lukewarm soapy water, then work the residue with a soft toothbrush or your thumb. Adhesive from tape and stickers is the most stubborn. Avoid solvent removers, because they can strip printed faces and haze the plastic surface.
How often should you wash a bin of building bricks?
Twice a year suits most households, with spot cleaning as needed. Wash more often if the bricks are played with on the floor daily, go outdoors, or move between homes. Emptying the bin through a colander to remove crumbs and dust helps between full washes.
Toy bins are one afternoon. A whole house through a busy season is a different job. Otesse is local, uses background-checked crews, and gives you upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Every home is different, so the real number depends on size, condition, and what you want covered. Get a quote and we will walk you through it.