rubber ducky maintenance

[Sara]

We have several rubber duckies (this isn't just an American term, is
it? Do non-Americans think I'm insane?). They mostly hang out in the
bathtub.

Lately I've noticed they seem to have dark patches on their interiors.
Despising mold as I do, I'm afraid that there's a great colony of
mildew growing inside the ducks, and one day it'll burst out and cover
the entire apartment.

Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
duck if possible...

--
Sara, not reading entrails

<< I check this e-mail account infrequently >>

[Circe]

Sara wrote:
> We have several rubber duckies (this isn't just an American term, is
> it? Do non-Americans think I'm insane?). They mostly hang out in the
> bathtub.
>
> Lately I've noticed they seem to have dark patches on their interiors.
> Despising mold as I do, I'm afraid that there's a great colony of
> mildew growing inside the ducks, and one day it'll burst out and cover
> the entire apartment.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
> it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
> duck if possible...

They probably are growing mold inside of them. In my experience, this is a
common problem with bath toys that take on water. Here's what I do:

1. Fill a bowl with warm water and a bit of bleach
2. Immerse toy in water and squeeze. Old water comes out, new bleachy water
comes in.
3. Allow the toys to sit in the bleachy water for about an hour.
4. Remove from bleachy water, squeeze as much water out as possible and
allow toys to air dry.
5. Repeat as needed.

You can reduce the frequency with which you need to clean the toys by being
sure to squeeze as much water out of them at the end of each bath as humanly
possible. Unfortunately, I am too lazy to do this often enough!






feel great!" -- fair booth sign

What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.

[HollyLewis]

>Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
>it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
>duck if possible...

Yeah, it's mold. Throw them out and buy new ones.

To keep the mold at bay as long as possible, make sure you squeeze as much of
the water out of the ducks as possible after every bath, and keep them out of
direct sunlight. But you have to view that kind of toy as essentially
disposable, because they all tend to have that problem after a while.

Holly
Mom to Camden, 2 yrs

[GI Trekker]

<<Yeah, it's mold. Throw them out and bu new ones.>>

I like the cleaning idea better. Why waste a toy that (a) just needs a good
cleaning and (b) might be a treasured bathtime "pal"?

[dejablues]

I noticed the same thing in the little spongey water bottle I use at work to
seal envelopes. I thought it was algae because at first it appeared black,
but when I cleaned it out it appeared green . Is there a difference between
algae and mold?


"HollyLewis" > wrote in message
...
> >I like the cleaning idea better. Why waste a toy that (a) just needs a
good
> >cleaning and (b) might be a treasured bathtime "pal"?
> >
>
> I've never had any success trying to clean them. If you can do it, great!
But
> I can't, and the mold can be harmful.
>
> Holly
> Mom to Camden, 2 yrs

[Jeff Utz]

They are different.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms (they are able to use light energy, just
like plants). Technically, they have chloroplasts. They can be individual
cells to huge organisms.

http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/AlgIntro.htm

Mold, yeast and mildew are all names for members of the same group of
organisms. They can be individual cells or form colonies or more complicated
organisms.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungi.html

I am sorry that I cannot give a simpler to understand answer.

Jeff

"dejablues" > wrote in message
...
> I noticed the same thing in the little spongey water bottle I use at work
to
> seal envelopes. I thought it was algae because at first it appeared black,
> but when I cleaned it out it appeared green . Is there a difference
between
> algae and mold?
>
>
> "HollyLewis" > wrote in message
> ...
> > >I like the cleaning idea better. Why waste a toy that (a) just needs a
> good
> > >cleaning and (b) might be a treasured bathtime "pal"?
> > >
> >
> > I've never had any success trying to clean them. If you can do it,
great!
> But
> > I can't, and the mold can be harmful.
> >
> > Holly
> > Mom to Camden, 2 yrs
>
>

[==Daye==]

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 18:23:25 -0500, "Donna Metler"
> wrote:

>If they've got the hole in them to squeek (and let water in) what about
>putting them in a bucket of bleach or rubbing alcohol and squeezing to let
>it in, to kill whatever is growing in there?

My only concern with this would be that my DD chews on her rubber
ducky. Usually just the head of the duck. However, wouldn't the
bleach and/or alcohol be bad for her?

--
==Daye==
Momma to Jayan
#2 EDD 11 Jan 2004
E-mail: brendana AT labyrinth DOT net DOT au

[Rosalie B.]

x-no-archive:yes ==Daye== > wrote:

>On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 18:23:25 -0500, "Donna Metler"
> wrote:
>
>>If they've got the hole in them to squeek (and let water in) what about
>>putting them in a bucket of bleach or rubbing alcohol and squeezing to let
>>it in, to kill whatever is growing in there?
>
>My only concern with this would be that my DD chews on her rubber
>ducky. Usually just the head of the duck. However, wouldn't the
>bleach and/or alcohol be bad for her?

The alcohol will evaporate. By the time she gets to chewing there
won't be any left.

The bleach will also disintegrate in light - that's why they have to
keep adding chlorine to the pools. And if you rinse it good there
shouldn't be any residue. Plus the bleach is very bad for the rubber
ducky itself, so you should leave any on it anyway.

We do a shock treatment on our water tanks to get rid of mold and
algae which consists of one cup of bleach to 10 gallons of water.
(IIRC) You run this solution through the system - let it sit for more
than 12 and less than 25 hours, and then rinse completely out.


grandma Rosalie

[dejablues]

SO how do you tell what you have growing in your particular environment?



"Jeff Utz" > wrote in message
...
> They are different.
>
> Algae are photosynthetic organisms (they are able to use light energy,
just
> like plants). Technically, they have chloroplasts. They can be individual
> cells to huge organisms.
>
> http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/AlgIntro.htm
>
> Mold, yeast and mildew are all names for members of the same group of
> organisms. They can be individual cells or form colonies or more
complicated
> organisms.
>
> http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungi.html
>
> I am sorry that I cannot give a simpler to understand answer.
>
> Jeff
>
> "dejablues" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I noticed the same thing in the little spongey water bottle I use at
work
> to
> > seal envelopes. I thought it was algae because at first it appeared
black,
> > but when I cleaned it out it appeared green . Is there a difference
> between
> > algae and mold?
> >
> >
> > "HollyLewis" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > >I like the cleaning idea better. Why waste a toy that (a) just needs
a
> > good
> > > >cleaning and (b) might be a treasured bathtime "pal"?
> > > >
> > >
> > > I've never had any success trying to clean them. If you can do it,
> great!
> > But
> > > I can't, and the mold can be harmful.
> > >
> > > Holly
> > > Mom to Camden, 2 yrs
> >
> >
>
>

[Rosalie B.]

x-no-archive:yes "dejablues" > wrote:

>SO how do you tell what you have growing in your particular environment?

Doesn't really matter because you get rid of them the same way, but
it's likely to be mold unless there is light available.
>
>
>
>"Jeff Utz" > wrote in message
...
>> They are different.
>>
>> Algae are photosynthetic organisms (they are able to use light energy,
>just
>> like plants). Technically, they have chloroplasts. They can be individual
>> cells to huge organisms.
>>
>> http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/AlgIntro.htm
>>
>> Mold, yeast and mildew are all names for members of the same group of
>> organisms. They can be individual cells or form colonies or more
>complicated
>> organisms.
>>
>> http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungi.html
>>
>> I am sorry that I cannot give a simpler to understand answer.
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>> "dejablues" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > I noticed the same thing in the little spongey water bottle I use at
>work
>> to
>> > seal envelopes. I thought it was algae because at first it appeared
>black,
>> > but when I cleaned it out it appeared green . Is there a difference
>> between
>> > algae and mold?
>> >
>> >
>> > "HollyLewis" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> > > >I like the cleaning idea better. Why waste a toy that (a) just needs
>a
>> > good
>> > > >cleaning and (b) might be a treasured bathtime "pal"?
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > > I've never had any success trying to clean them. If you can do it,
>> great!
>> > But
>> > > I can't, and the mold can be harmful.
>> > >
>> > > Holly
>> > > Mom to Camden, 2 yrs
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>

grandma Rosalie

[toypup]

"Sara" > wrote in message
...
> We have several rubber duckies (this isn't just an American term, is
> it? Do non-Americans think I'm insane?). They mostly hang out in the
> bathtub.
>
> Lately I've noticed they seem to have dark patches on their interiors.
> Despising mold as I do, I'm afraid that there's a great colony of
> mildew growing inside the ducks, and one day it'll burst out and cover
> the entire apartment.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
> it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
> duck if possible...

I threw ours away and banned them from the bathroom. Too much time cleaning
them for me.

[Sara]

toypup wrote:

> I threw ours away and banned them from the bathroom. Too much time cleaning
> them for me.
>
But then how can you sing "Rubber Ducky" while taking a bath?

Um, while giving the baby a bath, I mean, of course...

--
Sara, accompanied by the ducky-chewing barnacle

<< I check this e-mail account infrequently >>

[Sara]

Circe wrote:

> Sara wrote:

> > Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
> > it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
> > duck if possible...
>
> They probably are growing mold inside of them.

Eeeeeew. Thanks for the cleaning advice -- I'll give it a try.

--
Sara, accompanied by the baby barnacle

<< I check this e-mail account infrequently >>

[Nancy P.]

x-no-archive: yes

"Sara" > wrote in message
...
> > Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
> it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
> duck if possible...
>


I haven't noticed this. Our rubby ducky collection has been in both the
washing machine and the dishwasher to decontaminate it from bath poop
incidents. I'm hoping that has sterilized them (and so far, no mold). I
always squeeze them out after they've been in the bath or the kiddie pool.

Nancy

[Ali's Daddie]

"Sara" > wrote in message
...
| We have several rubber duckies (this isn't just an American term, is
| it? Do non-Americans think I'm insane?). They mostly hang out in the
| bathtub.
|
| Lately I've noticed they seem to have dark patches on their interiors.
| Despising mold as I do, I'm afraid that there's a great colony of
| mildew growing inside the ducks, and one day it'll burst out and cover
| the entire apartment.
|
| Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
| it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
| duck if possible...
|
| --
| Sara, not reading entrails
|
| << I check this e-mail account infrequently >>

I am a huge rubber duckie fan... In fact, my entire bathroom (and half of
Alegra's clothes) is decorated with yellow rubber duckies... (My toothbrush
is a rubber duckie design lol)

I bought the "old" style duckies at first, but they started getting mildewey
(is that even a word?) and ended up throwing them out.

However, there is an alternative. The brand (I believe) is Munchkin
(probably other brands too). They have the newer kind of duckies that cannot
mildew or get mold inside because there is no hole... They still squeak,
etc, but they just don't have a hole. :-)

Ok, I know way too much about rubber duckies lol..

It has gotten so bad that I have about a dozen pairs of boxers (undies) that
have rubber duckie designs on them!

Does anyone know of a 12 quack program?

--

LES!

Daddie to Alegra Lee. May 25th 2003!
"Daddie's Little Diva"

before you reply to me via email, please remove your hat


Take a look at my eBay auctions I just might have something you can't live
without :-)
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/dads2003/

[kereru]

"Ali's Daddie" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sara" > wrote in message
> ...
> | We have several rubber duckies (this isn't just an American term, is
> | it? Do non-Americans think I'm insane?). They mostly hang out in the
> | bathtub.
> |
> | Lately I've noticed they seem to have dark patches on their interiors.
> | Despising mold as I do, I'm afraid that there's a great colony of
> | mildew growing inside the ducks, and one day it'll burst out and cover
> | the entire apartment.
> |
> | Has anyone else noticed this with their rubber duckies? Any idea what
> | it is? I could slice one open, I know, but I'd rather not sacrifice a
> | duck if possible...
> |
> | --
> | Sara, not reading entrails
> |
> | << I check this e-mail account infrequently >>
>
> I am a huge rubber duckie fan... In fact, my entire bathroom (and half of
> Alegra's clothes) is decorated with yellow rubber duckies... (My
toothbrush
> is a rubber duckie design lol)
>
> I bought the "old" style duckies at first, but they started getting
mildewey
> (is that even a word?) and ended up throwing them out.
>
> However, there is an alternative. The brand (I believe) is Munchkin
> (probably other brands too). They have the newer kind of duckies that
cannot
> mildew or get mold inside because there is no hole... They still squeak,
> etc, but they just don't have a hole. :-)
>
> Ok, I know way too much about rubber duckies lol..
>
> It has gotten so bad that I have about a dozen pairs of boxers (undies)
that
> have rubber duckie designs on them!
>
> Does anyone know of a 12 quack program?


Admitting you have a problem is the first quack.

[Phoebe & Allyson]

Ali's Daddie wrote:

> In fact, my entire bathroom (and half of
> Alegra's clothes) is decorated with yellow rubber duckies...


Does she have the little Carter's duck suit?

Phoebe :)

[Ali's Daddie]

"Phoebe & Allyson" > wrote in message
...
| Ali's Daddie wrote:
|
| > In fact, my entire bathroom (and half of
| > Alegra's clothes) is decorated with yellow rubber duckies...
|
|
| Does she have the little Carter's duck suit?
|
| Phoebe :)
|

Yes.. and the hooded towel, and the 3 style blankets, and several of the
Carter's onesies, as well as Suzie's Zoo. lol..

I am tellin' ya, I am addicted to duckies lol

Quack.

--

LES!

Daddie to Alegra Lee. May 25th 2003!
"Daddie's Little Diva"

before you reply to me via email, please remove your hat


Take a look at my eBay auctions I just might have something you can't live
without :-)
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/dads2003/