How do you clean your Lego?

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SSchmidt
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How do you clean your Lego?

Post by SSchmidt »

So I had two Bricklink orders come in today, and I was actually quite displeased with both of them. I rarely complain about my orders, but one of them stunk so bad of smoke that it almost choked me! I thought about complaining to the seller, or rather just informing them that it was not a good business practice to have the bricks smell that way but I would rather just avoid the hassle.

The second package was covered in cat\dog hair. While this is not a terrible deal, it was enough to aggravate me to the point of cleaning these bricks very well. I always wash off my orders. What I will do, is get a bowl with hot water and Dawn washing soap and just let them soak overnight.

But this specific order has lots of valuable pieces, and while I do not care to lower their value if they are clean, I want to protect them as best as possible. Is the aforementioned method of cleaning bricks okay? How do you clean yours? Do you have any suggestions?

When it is time for them to dry, I usually just sit them on a towel for another day. I feel like I'm wasting a lot of time by cleaning them this way. Having said, I am very open to hearing how you clean your bricks.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by Bluesecrets »

There are several threads about this in this forum. You may want to do a search of it.

I load the bathtub up with soapy water..take a soft bristle brush and scrub. Then rinse..and let sit on towels to dry.

I know of others who buy lingerie bags and put them in the dishwasher. Top rack only! It works but not my thing.

DO NOT..and I really do mean this..DO NOT put them in a lingerie bag and put them in the washing machine...unless you plan on buying a new one. I took this advice and yeah..new washing machine had to happen.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by wobnam »

If you plan to use a dishwasher, make sure you have a suitable temperature setting. LEGO recommends no more than 40 C. Some dishwashers don't go that low.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by AK_Brickster »

If you use the dishwasher, don't use dishwashing powder or those pre-made "pills". They will scratch your Lego, I've heard.

As Blue said, try a search of this topic as I know a few threads have been made on it already.

With regards to the Bricklink sellers, if you don't let them know about the problem and/or leave a note in the feedback, you're just setting up the rest of us to get a load of stanky brick, so please do us all a favor and follow through with accurate feedback on those stores!
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by OverLoad »

Normally I get a tub/container and fill it with water, enough to cover the bricks. I put some dish/hand soap in it, make it soapy and bubbly, and dump the bricks in. I close the lid/top and shake it a bunch. Then, I look through and see if any have any visible residue/are still dirty. If so, I just hand clean those. Afterwards all of the bricks are put on a towel for drying, and once dry I sort them!

I haven't had to do that in a while though, recently I haven't taken in anybody's LEGO collection or made any Bricklink orders.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by jediknight219 »

I've had a few smoky orders and all I did was air them out. Ran across one bricklink store once that actually had a disclaimer about the possibility of a smoky smell. It wasn't emphatic enough. That order reeked.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by ottoatm »

I've heard of people putting them in a pillow case (or two) and putting that in the washing machine. I always figured I would do that if I had to clean bricks~
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by Bluesecrets »

I've heard of people putting them in a pillow case (or two) and putting that in the washing machine.
I so wouldn't. I learned that lesson the expensive way...LEGO in the washer = dead washer. It just isn't worth the risk. Wash them by hand.
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Re: How do you clean your Lego?

Post by SSchmidt »

Thanks all of you for your advice and moreso, to the link to the prior thread.

I have also contacted the seller about the stench. You are right, if I don't contact them, then the next unfortunate person may get stinky lego too :?
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