How to keep your Lego clean?

[chaosof99]

Hey,

so, I have a decent collection of Legos and it is growing ever stronger. Now, since I keep most of my models built and more or less on display, they are of course collecting some dust since I don't play with them every day. Of course I'd like to keep them clean as much as possible, and I know that it takes at least some effort and regular cleaning to do so. However, I don't really know how to keep them clean efficiently and thoroughly.

For Technic models, this seems to be an even bigger problem as they are often quite large and also open, with dust able to collect deep inside the model. Just taking some tissue to them and wiping them doesn't seem to do it well enough, and it takes a lot of time as well. Taking apart the entire model and cleaning them individually or washing them is even more time consuming.

So, how do I keep my Lego nice and clean?

[bord4kop]

Some kind of cloth over them

Store them up-side-down

Store them in a closet

Kitchen foil (if that 's what its called?)

http://i40.tinypic.com/2iky7te.jpg

And/or this might help also:

Edited May 17, 2011 by Siegfried
Please don't show off your dope...

[nychase]

Take Apart, warm water with a little bit of soap, multiple rinsing's and then air dry on a towel. By far the best way to keep things looking perfect.

Time consuming ...? Yes

But, aren't you supposed to be very familiar with the models and how they work anyway?

[Captain M]

Kitchen foil (if that 's what its called?)

I believe the correct term is Aluminum Foil. And yes, I think that will work better than anything else. Or just use a swiffer duster to get rid of the dust.

[Ralph_S]

I don't like to put my models in a plastic bag or foil in a closet. I like to have them on display where I can actually see them. So, they do collect some dust. I clean them now and then using a paint brush. You'll need to find one that is soft enough not to scratch your LEGO, but hard enough to get rid of the dust. Pig hair is the way to go IMO :-) The second thing is to not put them in a bedroom, because no matter how well you keep the room clean, there still tend to be more dust in a bedroom than in, say, your home office.

Cheers,

Ralph

[fred67]

Well, the question is how to keep them clean, not clean them after the fact.

If most of the models are simply on display, a display case would be great. Right now I have all four current sets of CMFs in display cases, as I suspect keeping them clean (or cleaning them later) would be horrendous. I also have other smaller MOCs in display cases...

DSCF0304 by FredJH, on Flickr

I imagine a lot of technic MOCs could fit in one of these... nice display, the top lifts off easily for "play." (note that the risers in this particular display are separate and can be removed)

This display case gives you about 30 studs in width, but there's also all sorts of other similar displays in various sizes for relatively inexpensive prices at the Container Store. These particular ones also stack pretty nicely, giving you even more display room.

Other than that, periodic spraying with air would probably do the most.

[Buckshot]

I don't like to put my models in a plastic bag or foil in a closet. I like to have them on display where I can actually see them. So, they do collect some dust. I clean them now and then using a paint brush. You'll need to find one that is soft enough not to scratch your LEGO, but hard enough to get rid of the dust. Pig hair is the way to go IMO :-) The second thing is to not put them in a bedroom, because no matter how well you keep the room clean, there still tend to be more dust in a bedroom than in, say, your home office.

Cheers,

Ralph

That's the exact advice I would give. Have not tried the pig hair brush, though--thanks for the tip, Ralph!

[Triborough]

I use this from my photography kit - a "Rocket Blower".

[FelixTheCat]

I'd either use an air compressor or put glass/perspex fronts onto your display shelves.

[Paul B Technic]

I use this from my photography kit - a "Rocket Blower".

I also use one of these, works well.

Paul

[LEGO AFOL]

I also use one of these, works well.

Paul

Custom make acrylic set to protect them from dust.

[dr_spock]

Compressed air and soft makeup brush.

[Out of Sight]

I use these...

-Tamiya Scale Model cleaning brush...it IS designed for tiny scale models, so it will get into nooks and crannies with ease

I use it to loosen up the dust then....

...suck out any leftover with USB 'keyboard' vacum cleaner

If you blow the dust with compressed air, it will just move from one place to another or worst,,much deeper inside! You need to suck it out.

[JunkstyleGio]

Keeping my MOC's and fav's in a display-cabinet tends to keep Lego dustfree for a much longer time...

[Paul B Technic]

I use these...

-Tamiya Scale Model cleaning brush...it IS designed for tiny scale models, so it will get into nooks and crannies with ease

I use it to loosen up the dust then....

...suck out any leftover with USB 'keyboard' vacum cleaner

If you blow the dust with compressed air, it will just move from one place to another or worst,,much deeper inside! You need to suck it out.

Where did you get that brush from? Looks like a really good idea.

[Out of Sight]

Where did you get that brush from? Looks like a really good idea.

It's available through most Japanese based hobby online store, I bought it here:

brush

Pricewise, it's very expensive for a mere cleaning brush. I was highly sceptical at first, but having owned many Tamiya hobby products, I decided to give it a shot. The brush actually consists of several differing types of strain, and reflects the way it works: Tranfers the static charge of the plastic bricks to the brush so the dust loosens up and 'clings' on the brush. A great way to keep a new set looking spankin' new for years. However for old sets that are already heavily layered with years of dust,it won't work.

[megabite88]

I wash mine and air dry. Not the best way to go if your sets have a lot of stickers. I've got my grand carousel in a perspex display case. Cost quite a fair bit to have that custom made.

[DarkShadow73]

Just a question about motorized models since more and more are coming out motorized or have the option of being motorized, power functions I am hinting to. I find that washing them in the sink with a sprayer was always the best way to get into all the nooks and crannies and those hard to reach places, and with most you can remove the battery box easily enough, but since the motors tend to be attached in ways on the assemblies that you can't easily remove with out tearing down half the model, what are thoughts on this? I have always wondered as well what others did. I live with smokers, not heavy by any means, but dust isn't easily removed in any form because of the nicotine buildup, but the washing every few weeks used to do a fine job and didn't affect anything, UNLESS they had power functions or the older style motors/battery boxes on them. Any good ideas? I can't obviously kick out my roommates...

I wash mine and air dry. Not the best way to go if your sets have a lot of stickers. I've got my grand carousel in a perspex display case. Cost quite a fair bit to have that custom made.

[DLuders]

@ TechnicFreak: You could go to your neighborhood auto repair shop and ask to use their Compressed Air hose. Many shops have interchangeable tips to be able to operate their air tools, as well as to spray their clothes to remove Bondo dust. You may have to give them a dollar for their trouble. If you haul your Technic sets in a box over to the hose, I bet you could get the job done in about 3 minutes.

[Tazmaniac]

Can't believe no one commented on the dope plants in the second post.. might want to remove that incase the kiddies see it or worse a LEGO rep.

Micro-fiber is your friend it's like a dust magnet and comes in all shape, sizes and forms

[Sam42]

Can't believe no one commented on the dope plants in the second post.. might want to remove that incase the kiddies see it or worse a LEGO rep.

Micro-fiber is your friend it's like a dust magnet and comes in all shape, sizes and forms

not the 1st time i've seen this sort of thing in pics on here, not that i'm criticising it, that would make me a hypocrite, but posting this sort of thing or even casually leaving this sort of thing in shot isn't cool, especially on a forum frequented by under 16s

re cleaning, i thought of using the dishwasher on a cold rinse cycle but then i'm not sure the rinse aid wouldn't harm lego.... instead i used the bath full of warm water and pillowcase technique works well but labour intensive as mentioned....