🧼 How to Clean and Restore Pre-Owned LEGO Bricks

Give your bricks a bath, not a boil.

Whether you're a die-hard collector, a parent refilling the LEGO box, or someone who just grabbed a cracking deal on a mixed lot , you’ll know one truth: used LEGO can arrive looking like it’s been through a warzone. Dust, grime, the occasional mystery goo... we've all been there.

Don’t worry — in this post, we’ll walk you through safe, effective and satisfying ways to get your LEGO bricks looking brand new again.

🧴 Step 1: The Gentle Soak

Let’s start with the basics.

What you’ll need:

A large bowl or plastic tub

Lukewarm water (not boiling — we’re not cooking pasta here)

Mild dish soap (like Fairy Liquid)

A soft toothbrush or nail brush (not the one you’re still using)

A towel or drying rack

Instructions:

Fill your tub with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap.

Drop your bricks in and let them soak for 10–20 minutes.

Gently scrub each piece if there’s visible dirt or stickiness (this is oddly satisfying).

Rinse with clean water to remove any soap residue.

Lay flat to dry — do NOT tumble dry, unless melted bricks are your thing.

📝 Pro Tip: If you’ve got stickers on the bricks, don’t soak them! Wipe gently with a damp cloth instead.

🦠 Step 2: Disinfect (Yes, Really)

Especially if your LEGO has changed hands (or been loved by toddlers), a light disinfect won’t hurt.

Mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water. Use a spray bottle or soft cloth to apply. Leave it to sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Alternatively, Milton Sterilising Fluid (commonly used for baby bottles here in the UK) works wonders and is safe for plastics. Follow the instructions on the label and don’t overdo it.

☀️ Step 3: The Drying Game

Here’s where the patience kicks in.

Spread the bricks out on a towel in a well-ventilated area. Make sure they’re not stacked — every single one needs airflow. It might take a day or two for them to dry completely, especially those sneaky 1x1 cylinders that hold water like a sponge.

Avoid direct sunlight for too long, or your once-pristine white bricks might turn that charming “vintage yellow”.

🎨 Bonus: Restoring Faded or Yellowed Bricks

Got some older pieces that have yellowed with age? Welcome to the club.

There’s a method called “retrobrighting”, which involves hydrogen peroxide and UV light. It's a bit more technical and honestly, we don't recommend it unless you're comfortable with chemistry and PPE. You can check YouTube for tutorials — just know it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Otherwise, embrace the patina. There’s something charming about an old-school Stormtrooper with a bit of battle damage.

🧱 What About Minifigures?

Handle these little legends with care!

Avoid soaking minifigures with printed torsos or unique decals.

Clean with a damp cloth or cotton bud.

For hairpieces and helmets, go ahead and treat them like normal bricks.

If you've got sticky joints or arms that don’t move right — warm water soak and a gentle wiggle usually does the trick.

🚫 What Not to Do

Let’s be clear:

No bleach. No acetone. No boiling. No washing machines.

These will ruin your bricks, fade prints, and in some cases, melt the poor souls beyond recognition.

And please… don’t microwave them. Someone tried. They regretted it.

🛒 Don’t Fancy Doing the Dirty Work?

Fair play. Some of us enjoy the cleaning ritual (it's like LEGO spa day), but others just want to skip to the good bit: building.

At BrickZoneHub, we do our best to pre-clean and quality-check our used LEGO — whether it’s a classic minifig or a full set. So if you want the fun without the faff, have a browse of our shop and let us take care of the mess.

👋 Final Thoughts

Cleaning used LEGO is a bit like panning for gold — it takes a little effort, but the reward is worth it. Whether you’re restoring childhood memories or starting a new build with your kids, nothing beats that satisfying click of a clean brick.

Happy building — and may your LEGO always be shiny (but not slippery)!