At Bricks 4 Kidz, you might say we have some experience when it comes to taking care of LEGO Bricks so they look nice, function well and last for a long, long time. We have many, many bins of bricks, and we’re more than happy to share our expertise!
Here are tips and commonly asked questions you might have about your child’s LEGO set.
Can LEGO Bricks go in the dishwasher? You’re not the first person to hop online, wanting to know if LEGO Bricks are dishwasher safe. Some forums talk about putting them in a garment bag and putting them in the washing machine. We say don’t do it. For one, higher temperatures can end up warping your bricks or causing them to change shape. When this happens, they won’t snap together very well. Plus, consider the small pieces that can escape in these machines with moving parts — which is not a good idea!
Hand washing is best. Use a sink or large plastic bin filled with warm water, no hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Add soap, if needed, and scrub with a nylon bristle brush, rinse and allow to air dry. Again, don’t use heat sources. (Though some like using a salad spinner for drying.)
Where can I get missing instructions? So you found or received an older set, but … the instructions are gone or a few odd but essential pieces are missing. Luckily, you can find old building instructions right here, dating back to 2002. You can also email the company to see about buying replacements for broken pieces, damaged stickers and missing figurines. Just be sure to have the set number handy.
Can LEGO Bricks be recycled?Even if your local recycling facility accepts plastic, do not dump discarded bricks into the recycling bin. (Chances are, they’ll be pulled out and discarded.) While some recycling centers will accept these old bricks as “other plastic,” you’re better off focusing on the reusing angle. Give them away to another family or donate to a local library, school or child-care center. LEGO Bricks are long-lasting, so they’ll still have many years of use ahead of them!
Can LEGO Bricks go in a fish tank? LEGO creations can make fantastic aquarium decor. Before you build, give them a good cleaning. Make sure the pieces are free of stickers, and that whatever you use has a weight or anchor to keep it from floating.
Does sunlight damage LEGO Bricks? When your child creates something impressive and display worthy, placement matters. Over time, those bright, eye-popping LEGO colors we all know and love can fade if they spend too much time in the sun, exposed to ultraviolet light. Gray and white LEGO Bricks can also suffer the effects of too much sun by turning yellow. To prevent these unwanted color changes, set up your displays well away from windows.
How do I dust LEGO displays? After a while, that gorgeous, imaginative creation can be dulled with a fine layer of dust. First, brush it from top to bottom with a soft, clean, dry paintbrush to loosen the dust. Tools like compressed air and hand vacuum tools can get your display looking bright and new again.
How do I treat discolored bricks? Sometimes, gray and white bricks get this yellowing discoloration. One method that works really well is submerging the bricks in a bath of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent strength). After sitting for three hours, outdoors, in direct sunlight, just rinse, dry, and those yellowing LEGO Bricks will look like new!
This video explains the whole process.
When LEGO Bricks are well cared for, they’ll last a long, long time. With their educational benefits and durability, they’re definitely a worthy childhood investment. In the meantime, we hope to see you at the next Bricks 4 Kidz class. Check out the classes taking place in your community and sign up today. Your child will definitely come home with plenty of inspiration for their next project.