It can happen to the most meticulous of parents. You take apart your child’s sippy cup to wash it or squeeze the excess bathwater from their rubber duckie — and staring back at you is that undeniable black gunk: mold. While the thought of mold growing inside your little one’s cup or bath toys is, well, gross, try not to get too down on yourself, because it sneaks up on good parents everywhere.
In 2016, parents of young kids were (understandably) taken aback when two moms posted photos of mold in Tommee Tippeesippy cup valves on Facebook.
And this wasn’t the first time a mold scandal rocked the parenting community either: A year prior, mold was found in GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches, and in 2018, an Indiana dad found mold in his child’s Capri Sun.
So mold happens, but is this common fungus dangerous to your little one? Here’s what the experts have to say about mold in your child’s toys and sippy cups.
You should throw away moldy dishes if there’s mold in the openings, cracks, or grooves of your dishware. It’s impossible to remove mold spores from those areas, and it would be dangerous to continue using them.
Why does mold grow in sippy cups?
Sippy cups are pretty much a dream locale for the fungus, says Dr. Sara Siddiqui, a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone’s Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in New York.
According to Zahir Sardar, Pharm.D., specialist in poison information at the Poison Control Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the reason mold often crops up in kids’ cups is because the conditions are just right.
“Mold craves warmth and moisture — and when you add food particles to the mix, mold will find your child’s sippy cup irresistible,” Sardar says.
Additionally, the parts of sippy cups, which are notoriously difficult to clean, make these products even more attractive to mold.
“Mold grows very easily in small, hard-to-reach crevices that can be warm and moist for long periods of time,” says Siddiqui.
Can mold grow in bath toys and other kid products?
While sippy cups may be the great love of mold’s life, they aren’t the fungus’ only suitor.
“Any product that frequently comes into contact with water or is routinely in a moist area is very susceptible to mold growth,” says Siddiqui. “And there’s even more of a chance of mold for items that have small holes or openings that are difficult to clean with soap and water — such as bath toys and sponges.” (Looking at you, rubber duckies.)
If you’re unsure if a product of your child’s is susceptible to growing mold, Sardar recommends asking yourself the following two questions: Is this product good at holding onto moisture? Are there cracks or pores that saliva or food can get trapped in?
“If the answer is yes to either of these questions, chances are that a product will be a little more susceptible to mold growth,” he says. “Common examples are water expanding toys, stress balls, bath toys, sippy cups and water bottles.”
Here’s What Happens When You Eat Mold
FAQ
Should you throw away a cup with mold?
Can you wash mold out of a cup?
Is it OK to drink from a cup that had mold?
Can you use a container that had mold in it?
How do I prevent Cup mold?
The best way to prevent cup mold is to dry your cups entirely before placing them in your cupboard. However, if the problem persists, your home will be too humid. If that is the case, try fixing your ventilation or installing a dehumidifier.
What happens if you swallow mold?
Eating mold-contaminated food can cause vomiting, allergies, diarrhea, food poisoning, abdominal pain, and even cancer if consumed frequently over a long period of time.
Can Cups get moldy if you don’t let them dry?
Cups can get moldy if you don’t let them dry completely. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in nature to decay dead leaves, trees, fruit and other plant material. It can begin to grow in your home under the right circumstances. Mold can cause several health issues, and even a small amount growing in your home can encourage other mold growth.
Can Mold grow in cups?
Any small amount growing in your home can potentially encourage the growth of other molds. For that reason, take quick action as soon as you notice any. Mold in cups is common in cups that have been stored upside down to prevent debris and dust from settling. Cups stored upside down don’t give excess water enough space to evaporate.