So you buy used LEGO sets at garage sales, eBay, Craigslist, or thrift stores and discover that they are dirty and not looking good?
or you’ve just brought your old sets out of storage and found that they are dirty and want to wash them but are wondering if can LEGOs be washed?
The answer is Yes, LEGO bricks are made from ABS plastic which is waterproof and can be washed with detergent and water. It is recommended to clean LEGO parts by hand and the water temperature should not exceed 104°F/40°C because higher temperatures can affect the quality of LEGO parts.
Now that you have an idea about whether LEGOs can be washed, let’s dive into how to wash LEGO parts and other things you need to know about washing LEGO pieces.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How To Wash LEGO Parts
LEGO has specifically warned against using a dishwasher or washing machine to wash LEGO parts. They recommend using a hand to wash the LEGO bricks and at a temperature not exceeding 104°F/40°C.
So how do you wash LEGOs?
Washing LEGO parts is simple!
Washing bulk LEGO Bricks
- Dismantle all the pieces apart and put the stickers and printings (like minifigure torsos) aside
- Place the bricks inside a large plastic bin
Fill the bin with cold or luke warm water (never use hot water) and add a mild detergent- Swirl a bit with your hands and let it sit for around 20 minutes
After that, fill a smaller bin with clean water- Transfer and rinse them well in smaller batches one at a time
- You can also rinse the soapy pieces by placing them in a mash bag and rinsing them off in a sink or tub, however, it is important to have a strong drain catcher to prevent errant pieces from clogging your pipes
You should not use water to wash printed or stickered LEGO sets. Instead, gently clean each LEGO piece individually with a synthetic fiber cloth.
Drying
It is recommended to air dry your LEGO bricks at room temperature and never dry them in the oven, microwave or with a hair dryer.
You can also dry the pieces by
- Place them on a towel
- Spread them out on as many towels as necessary
- Put the towel with the pieces in front of a fan
- Make sure the fans are facing the wet bricks
- Periodically turn the bricks over to bring new ones to the surface
The drying process is long and can take one to three days depending on the amount of pieces.
Can You Wash LEGO In The Washing Machine?
The answer is Yes you can, but this is not advisable as the company has specifically warned not to wash LEGO pieces in a washing machine or dishwater. They have also warned against drying LEGO pieces in the oven, microwave, or with a hairdryer.
What Is The Best Way To Wash LEGOs?
The best way to wash LEGOs washing them by hand using lukewarm water with a mild detergent, and rinsing them with clear water afterward. Check the above tutorial for the complete step-by-step process on how to wash LEGO parts.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, you can easily wash LEGO parts with lukewarm water with a mild detergent. The drying process can be done by placing them on a towel and placing the towel in front of a fan.
It is not recommended to wash LEGO pieces in a dishwasher or washing machine, and also not to dry them using ovens, microwaves, or hairdryer.
