How to Clean Lego Bricks (and What Most Tutorials Get Wrong)

To clean Lego bricks safely: hand wash in warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap, rinse thoroughly, and air dry completely before storing. Do not put Lego bricks in the dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer — heat warps and damages them. A Lay-n-Go play mat makes the drying and re-sorting step significantly easier.

The right way to clean Lego bricks

Lego bricks are made from ABS plastic — a durable material that handles water well but is sensitive to heat. The cleaning method matters because the wrong approach damages bricks permanently.

What you need:

• A sink or large basin
• Warm (not hot) water
• Mild dish soap
• A soft brush (an old toothbrush works well)
• A clean towel or drying rack
• A Lay-n-Go play mat for drying and re-sorting (optional but helpful)

Step by step:

1. Sort out electronics first. Any Lego Technic motors, lights, or battery boxes cannot get wet. Set those aside before washing anything.

2. Fill a basin with warm soapy water. Use mild dish soap — nothing abrasive or heavily chemical. Warm water, not hot.

3. Add the bricks in batches. Don't dump your entire collection in at once. Work in manageable batches so you can actually clean each piece.

4. Agitate gently and scrub as needed. Swish the bricks around in the soapy water. For stubborn grime in tight corners or stud holes, use a soft toothbrush. Don't scrub hard enough to scratch the surface.

5. Rinse thoroughly. Soap residue left on bricks can make them feel tacky and attract more dust. Rinse until the water runs clear.

6. Air dry completely. Spread bricks out on a clean towel or drying rack. This is where a Lay-n-Go play mat is genuinely useful — lay it flat, spread the bricks across the surface in a single layer, and let them dry. Once dry, pull the drawstring and the whole collection is gathered and ready to store.

7. Do not store until fully dry. Moisture trapped in a sealed bag or bin leads to mold. Make sure every brick is completely dry before putting them away.

What most tutorials get wrong

The dishwasher myth. You'll find plenty of advice online saying to put Lego in the dishwasher in a mesh bag. This works sometimes, but the heat of a dishwasher drying cycle regularly warps bricks, dulls colors, and damages printed pieces. Not worth the risk.

The washing machine shortcut. Same problem — the agitation can scratch bricks against each other, and heat from any drying cycle damages ABS plastic.

Skipping the electronics sort. Lego Technic and powered-up components are not waterproof. Washing them ruins them. Always sort before you wash.

Not drying thoroughly enough. Lego stud holes trap water. If you bag up bricks before they're fully dry, you'll find mold later. Spread them out and give them real drying time — at least a few hours, longer for larger pieces.

How often should you clean Lego bricks?

For bricks that are actively played with daily, a light clean every few months is reasonable. For bricks that have been in storage for years, a full wash before bringing them back into rotation is worth doing.

Visible grime, sticky surfaces, or any smell are all signals it's time to wash.

The drying and re-sorting trick

The hardest part of cleaning a large Lego collection isn't the washing — it's the drying and re-sorting afterward. Wet bricks spread across a towel take up a lot of space and are annoying to gather back up.

A Lay-n-Go play mat handles this neatly. Lay it flat, spread the clean wet bricks across the surface in a single layer, let them dry. When they're ready to store, pull the drawstring and the whole collection cinches together. No scooping, no chasing bricks across the counter.

The Lay-n-Go play mat comes in three sizes — Lite, Lifestyle, and Large — all in the $30–$50 range.

FAQ

Can you put Lego in the dishwasher? Technically yes, but the heat from the drying cycle regularly warps and damages bricks. Hand washing is safer.

Can you put Lego in the washing machine? No. Agitation scratches bricks and heat damages ABS plastic.

How do you dry Lego bricks fast? Spread them in a single layer on a flat surface with good airflow. A fan speeds up the process. Do not use a dryer or heat source.

Can you clean Lego with bleach? No. Bleach damages ABS plastic and fades colors. Mild dish soap is all you need.

What about printed Lego pieces? Wash gently by hand and avoid scrubbing printed surfaces. The printing can wear off with aggressive scrubbing.

How do you clean Lego Technic motors and electronics? You don't — they're not waterproof. Wipe them down with a slightly damp cloth if needed, but do not submerge them.

Sources

• Lego.com — Care and Maintenance
• Lay-n-Go Play Mats

Author: Amy Fazackerley, Lay-n-Go Co-Founder. Updated May 2026.