Non-Toxic Bath Toys That Don't Mold: An Expert Guide for Safe Bath Time
Bath time is one of the sweetest parts of the day, a chance to slow down, splash, and connect with your little one. But many traditional bath toys hide an unpleasant surprise inside: mold, trapped moisture, and materials that are not ideal for a baby who mouths everything. This guide covers why bath toys grow mold, how the common materials compare, what to look for in a safer toy, and how to keep bath toys clean, with sources you can check yourself.
Why do bath toys get moldy?
Bath toys sit in warmth, moisture, and soap residue every day, which is close to ideal conditions for mold and mildew. Squirting toys are the most vulnerable, because the inside stays damp long after the outside looks dry. Water rushes in through the little hole when the toy is squeezed underwater, and it never fully drains.
In a 2018 study supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, researchers found dense films of bacteria and fungi inside many commonly used bath toys, including potentially harmful species such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The toys most affected were the ones that stayed damp inside and could not be cleaned thoroughly. Read the summary here.
Most parents know the moment this describes: you squeeze a bath toy and cloudy or black water comes out. Even with regular cleaning, many sealed squirters are simply not designed to dry out or be cleaned on the inside, so the buildup keeps coming back.
Mold is not the only concern: what about the materials?
Babies usually start enjoying bath toys around the same time they start mouthing everything, often around six to eight months, when they can sit up on their own. That means bath toys get chewed, sucked, and held close to the face, so the material itself matters as much as the mold.
Research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters has raised broader concerns about young children's exposure to plastics and plastic-related particles in their everyday environment. See the study here.
Soft, flexible plastic toys are among the most likely to be bitten and chewed. One concern experts raise about certain plastic additives is that many are hormone-related, which is reason enough for a lot of parents to choose a bath toy made from a safer, non-toxic material.
These additives, one expert told Verywell Family, are often "endocrine-disrupting chemicals," meaning they can affect development and reproduction.
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What is the safest material for baby bath toys?
When parents look for a safer alternative to conventional plastic squirters, two materials come up most: natural rubber and food-grade silicone. Here is how the three options compare on what actually matters in the tub.
| Feature | Plastic (PVC) squirters | Natural rubber | Food-grade silicone (that opens) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mold resistance | Low: holes trap water inside | Mixed: sealed pieces resist inside mold, but any hole traps moisture | High: opens fully so it dries and cleans |
| How you clean it | Hard: sealed interior you cannot reach | Often hand-wash only, lower heat tolerance | Dishwasher, sterilizer, and freezer safe |
| Safe for mouthing | Varies: PVC often involves phthalate and BPA concerns | Yes, but not for latex-sensitive children | Yes, when it is genuine food-grade silicone |
| Durability | Low: cracks and wears | Good | High: resists heat, cold, and cracking |
| Squirts and cleans well | Squirts, but cannot be cleaned inside | Usually one or the other, not both | Yes to both |
✨ Our pick: food-grade silicone that opens fully
The b is for ball® is 100% food-grade silicone, opens into two halves for easy cleaning, and doubles as a teether — so it's safe for mouthing in and out of the tub.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is derived from latex harvested from rubber trees, so it appeals to families avoiding certain plastics, and it is durable and soft. Two things to keep in mind: it is not suitable for babies with latex sensitivities, and many natural rubber toys need hand washing because they do not tolerate high heat. If a natural rubber toy has a hole and cannot be opened, it can still trap moisture and hide mold.
Food-Grade Silicone
Food-grade silicone tends to be the most practical choice for the bath. It is naturally non-toxic and BPA-free, it does not leach the way parents worry plastics might, it is dishwasher-safe, and it holds up to constant mouthing. The one honest tradeoff is that silicone does not biodegrade, so its case rests on lasting for years and replacing several throwaway toys, which a well-made silicone toy does. If you want the fuller picture on materials and waste, our guide to sustainable baby toys goes deeper.
Why an openable design beats a sealed one
Here is the design difference at the heart of this whole guide. To beat inside mold, many toys are sealed shut, which does keep water out, but it also means the toy cannot squirt, and it cannot be opened to clean or dry. So you end up choosing between a squirter that molds and a sealed toy that cannot squirt.
A toy that opens all the way removes the tradeoff. b is for ball® is made from 100% food-grade silicone and opens into two halves, so it goes in the dishwasher, sterilizer, and freezer, and nothing stays trapped inside where hidden mold could grow.
It's also a teether. Why does that matter? Because babies explore the world by putting things in their mouths—even in the tub. It's a normal and important way they learn about texture, shape, and the objects around them. Since b is for ball® is safety tested as a teether, you don't have to worry about them putting potentially harmful plastics in their mouths.
And it is not only for the tub. It is a great indoor and outdoor toy, squirting up to nine feet, so it is easy to pop into the stroller for water play at the park or the splash pad. The same ball becomes a sensory ball, a scoop, a stacker, and an open-ended toy, which is why it earns its place for years rather than a season.
How do you keep bath toys from getting moldy?
Choosing the right toy is only part of the solution. Even the best mold-free bath toys need proper care. Here are three practical ways to keep bath toys clean and safe:
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Tip #1: Clean Bath Toys Regularly
Shobha Bhaskar, MD, a pediatric hospitalist with St. Louis Children's Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, advises cleaning bath toys regularly to help prevent mold growth on or inside them.
Dr. Bhaskar notes that if you see mold in a bath toy, it is often best to throw it away. For toys you want to keep, she recommends soaking them in a bleach-and-water solution, then allowing them to air dry completely before returning them to use.
b is for ball® is dishwasher safe, so we recommend opening the cap to rinse it after every bath and placing it in the dishwasher at least once a week for a thorough cleaning.
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Tip #2: Store Toys in a Dry, Ventilated Spot
Store bath toys somewhere dry and well ventilated after each use. Avoid leaving them in the tub, shower, or a closed mesh bag against the wall, where they keep collecting moisture and may never fully dry out.
Open the cap of b is for ball® to allow full ventilation.
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Tip #3: Choose Durable, Well-Designed Toys
The surest way to avoid the cycle of buying and tossing bath toys is to choose fewer, better ones from the start. A toy made from a durable material like food-grade silicone, and thoughtfully designed to open and clean fully, holds up to daily baths for years instead of cracking or trapping mold you cannot reach. One well-made toy that lasts costs less over time and keeps far more plastic out of the trash. If a toy does need to go, especially a sealed one with hidden mold inside, let it go, but a good design should rarely leave you there.
Creative ways to make bath time more playful and meaningful
Once you have chosen safe, easy-to-clean bath toys, bath time can become even more engaging and enriching for your child.
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Sensory Play
Bath time is a natural opportunity for sensory exploration. You can introduce different textures, temperatures, and materials through simple tools like washcloths, cups, and thoughtfully designed bath toys. With varied sensory patterns on each ball, the b is for ball® 3-ball set offers an engaging sensory experience for little hands.
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Introduce Early Learning Concepts
Bath time can also support early learning. You can talk about colors, counting, floating, sinking, full and empty, or cause and effect through simple play. For example, filling one ball with water and leaving another empty helps children begin noticing differences in weight and movement.
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Create Interactive Moments Together
Simple games like peekaboo, pouring, squirting, and turn-taking make bath time more joyful while supporting social and emotional development. This is child-led play in action, the same idea behind baby-led play, and it carries well beyond the tub into open-ended play at home.
Ready to upgrade bath time?
Shop mold-free, food-grade silicone bath toys designed to last — and clean up in the dishwasher.
Shop the Core Collection →Key summary
- Bath toys grow mold when water gets trapped inside and cannot dry out. Squirters and any toy with a small hole are the most common culprits.
- The safest bath toys are made from a mouth-safe material and are either solid or open all the way for cleaning. Food-grade silicone that opens fully is the easiest to keep genuinely clean.
- A sealed toy resists inside mold but usually cannot squirt or go in the dishwasher. A toy that opens can do both, which is the design difference that matters most.
- Clean bath toys regularly, store them somewhere dry and ventilated, and replace any toy you cannot fully clean.
Frequently asked questions
Do silicone bath toys get moldy?
They can if water gets trapped and cannot dry, but food-grade silicone toys that open all the way like b is for ball® are much easier to keep mold-free, because you can clean and dry every surface. Sealed toys of any material are the ones that hide mold inside.
What is the safest material for baby bath toys?
Food-grade silicone and natural rubber are both safer than conventional PVC plastic. Food-grade silicone has the edge for the bath because it is dishwasher-safe and holds up to mouthing, and a design that opens fully is easiest to keep clean.
Are bath toys with holes bad?
The hole itself is the problem. It lets water in when the toy is squeezed, and that water rarely drains, which is how mold takes hold inside. Choose toys that are solid or open completely for cleaning.
How often should you clean bath toys?
Clean them regularly, and always dry them fully between uses. If a toy shows mold inside and cannot be opened and cleaned, it is usually best to replace it rather than keep cleaning around it.
When can babies start using bath toys?
Many babies start enjoying bath toys around six to eight months, when they can sit up independently. That is also when mouthing peaks, so a mouth-safe, easy-to-clean material matters most at this stage.
Is b is for ball® dishwasher safe?
Yes. It is 100% food-grade silicone and opens into two halves, so it is dishwasher, sterilizer, and freezer safe, and it still squirts up to nine feet.
