Last updated: 1 October 2026 · By Team Tilesminds
To clean magnetic tiles and blocks, use a soft cloth, lukewarm water and a little mild soap. Don't submerge them, dry everything thoroughly and check every piece for cracks or loose magnets before your child plays with them again.
In this guide you will learn, in five steps, how to keep magnetic toys clean, intact and safe, how often to do it and which mistakes are best avoided.
In short
- Cleaning: soft cloth, lukewarm water and mild soap. Don't submerge, and don't put them in the dishwasher.
- Checking: inspect every piece for cracks, sharp edges and loose magnets.
- Drying and storing: let them dry thoroughly and keep them in a dry place, for example in a storage bag or box.
- Damaged? Remove the piece from the set immediately and always keep loose magnets out of children's reach.
Contents
- Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies
- Step 2: Check all pieces for damage
- Step 3: Clean the magnetic toys thoroughly
- Step 4: Dry and store the toys carefully
- Step 5: Do a safety check after cleaning
- How often should you clean magnetic toys?
Quick Summary
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Supplies | Soft cloths, a bowl of lukewarm water, mild soap and a dry towel. |
| 2. Check | Inspect every piece for cracks, sharp edges and loose magnets. |
| 3. Clean | Wipe with a damp (not wet) cloth with a little mild soap. |
| 4. Dry and store | Let them dry thoroughly and keep them in a dry place. |
| 5. Safety check | Check once more before your child starts playing again. |
Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies
Get everything ready before you start. That way you won't have to search halfway through and cleaning goes quickly. You will need:
- two soft cloths (cotton or microfibre), so you don't cause scratches;
- a bowl of lukewarm water;
- a few drops of mild soap, such as washing-up liquid;
- a dry towel or kitchen paper;
- a clean box or storage bag for the clean pieces.
Handy tip: Keep your toy-cleaning supplies together in one box. Then you'll have them to hand next time.
Step 2: Check all pieces for damage
This is the most important step. With magnetic toys, the magnets must stay securely enclosed. A magnet that has come loose is dangerous if a child swallows it.
How to check:
- Inspect every piece for cracks, dents or sharp edges, especially at the corners and seams.
- Feel whether anything rattles or moves when you gently shake a tile or block.
- Make sure you have good light, so you can spot small hairline cracks too.
Do you see damage that is more than a scratch? Then remove that piece from the set immediately and throw it away, out of children's reach. Don't try to repair damaged magnetic pieces yourself. Read what to do if a child does swallow a magnet in Are magnetic tiles safe?
Handy tip: Played with every day? Then check the set roughly every two weeks. With less use, once a month is enough.
Step 3: Clean the magnetic toys thoroughly
Add a few drops of mild soap to the lukewarm water. Dampen a cloth and wring it out well: the cloth should be damp, not wet. Use it to wipe every piece on all sides, paying extra attention to corners and edges where dirt builds up.
- Don't submerge them and don't put them in the dishwasher: water can get into the seams.
- No harsh products such as bleach, abrasive cleaners or alcohol: these can damage the surface and the colours.
- Then wipe everything with a cloth dampened with clean water only, so no soap residue is left behind.
| Common mistake | Result | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning too wet or submerging | Water in the seams | Wring the cloth out well |
| Harsh cleaning product | Dull or discoloured surface | Use mild soap only |
| Not drying enough | Moisture is left behind | Let them dry thoroughly before storing |
| Storing in a damp place | Faster wear | Always store dry |
Step 4: Dry and store the toys carefully
Pat each piece dry with a towel, then lay everything out separately on a dry towel. Let them air-dry for a few hours, or overnight if you want to be sure.
Store the toys in a dry place, out of bright sunlight (sunlight can fade colours over time) and not right next to the radiator. A dedicated storage box or bag also helps with tidying up: then tidying up simply becomes part of playing. Our tile sets of 48, 64 and 125 pieces come with a storage bag.
Step 5: Do a safety check after cleaning
Check everything once more before your child starts playing again:
- Are there no new scratches or cracks?
- Do the pieces still click together properly? If a magnet suddenly feels weaker, check that piece extra carefully.
- Does nothing rattle when you gently shake a piece?
- Is everything dry and are all pieces back in the set?
Handy tip: Make this check a habit: every time the box comes out of the cupboard, quickly go over everything.
How often should you clean magnetic toys?
| How often is it played with? | Check | Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| 2–4 times a week | Every month | Every month |
| Less than once a week | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
After illness in the household, or if the toys have been played with outside, you will of course clean them in between.
Magnetic toys that last
Good maintenance starts with sturdy toys. Our tiles and blocks are made of non-toxic, recycled plastic, have strong magnets and are suitable from age 3. For example:
- Magnetic Tiles 64 Pieces (€29.99)
- Magnetic Tiles 125 Pieces (€42.00)
- Magnetic Blocks 104 Pieces (Jungle) (€29.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my magnetic toys?
With daily use, roughly every two weeks; with average use, once a month. Clean them in between after illness in the household or if they have got dirty.
How do you clean magnetic tiles?
Use a soft, damp cloth with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild soap. Don't submerge the tiles, don't use harsh products and dry them thoroughly afterwards.
Can magnetic tiles go in the dishwasher?
No. In the dishwasher or under water, water can get into the seams and the material can be damaged. Wipe the tiles with a damp cloth.
How do I check my magnetic toys for damage?
Inspect every piece for cracks, dents and sharp edges, especially at the corners and seams. Shake gently: if anything rattles or moves, a magnet may be loose.
What should I do if I find damage on my magnetic toys?
Remove the damaged piece from the set immediately and throw it away, out of children's reach. Don't try to repair magnetic pieces yourself.
How should I dry and store magnetic toys?
Pat everything dry and let the pieces dry separately for a few hours. Then store them in a dry place, out of bright sunlight and not right next to the radiator.
