Mould on Wooden Toys

Hiiiii. My son have a nunukids wooden kitchenette. Been with us for about 6 months. He loves playing with it. I've never really clean it (only wipe with dry cloth to prevent dust) because it's not dirty. My son doesn't eat around his play area or get his toys/kitchenette wet. However, I saw a few mold spots on the kitchenette!! Was shocked because it's all clean and then there's mold growing. But I also know mold can grow because of humidity. I've put the kitchenette away from my son and tried to wipe it down with 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar (I googled it). It's gone for now but I don't know if I even cleaned it properly. Will it grow again? The thought of my child being near it just gives me chills 🦠🤮 Anyone knows any wooden toy cleaning company (if there is even any) that can clean wooden toys, specifically with molds??? So sayang wanna throw it. The kitchenette still looks brand new ☹️ Tia!

1 Reply
 profile icon
Write a reply

Oh no, don't throw it yet, the vinegar solution you used is actually the right approach, but the key step that's easy to miss is making sure it's completely air-dried afterwards, ideally outside in a well-ventilated spot, because any remaining moisture is what lets the mould come back. A friend of mine swears by following up with a coat of Osmo wood oil (it's non-toxic and child-safe) once the piece is fully dry, as it creates a protective layer that makes the surface much harder for mould to take hold again. For ongoing prevention in our Singapore humidity, it really helps to keep the kitchenette in a room with good airflow or run a dehumidifier nearby, since even "dry" play areas can get quite damp here. I'll be honest, the vinegar wipe alone may not be enough if the mould has gone deeper into the wood grain, so if the spots reappear after a thorough clean and dry, that's a sign it may have penetrated further and you'd want to assess whether it's still safe. Since this does involve your child's health and mould exposure, it's worth checking with your paediatrician too, especially if your son has been around the kitchenette for a while!

Read more