Basement finds are the greatest thing for Lego fans. There is hardly anything that fascinates the pimple community more than old sets that have been dismantled or assembled in boxes in the attic or basement for years, silently hoping to one day be discovered again. Unfortunately, apart from missing small parts, there is usually a problem: the studded stones are yellowed, heavily dusted, stuck together or otherwise dirty. If you want the nostalgic set to shine in new splendor a second time, the cleaning devil has to do it. But how do you get grease, dust or stubborn dirt off the plastic stones? In such a way that they do not deform and retain their clamping force. Of course, the windows and other transparent parts should not get any further scratches.
The article reveals which tools and little tricks you can use to gently clean dusty, yellowed and sticky terminal blocks.
Lego fans who “display” small and large sets on sideboards or on open shelves have to solve a rather small but annoying problem. After just a few days, or at the latest after two weeks, there is a gray veil of dust on the stones. Depending on the size and type of set, you should regularly use a soft dusting brush or a small cordless vacuum cleaner with an adequate attachment.
Small-scale and rather delicately constructed sets such as the wildflower bouquet from the Botanical Collection, the tree house from the Dreamzzz series or many Technic sets are cleaned by professionals with a soft dusting brush, for example made of goat hair. If possible, move the dusting to the balcony or terrace. You can get around a little faster and indoors with a handheld vacuum cleaner in mini format. Despite the appropriate attachments, small parts and minifigures should be kept safe and, if necessary, cleaned with a brush.
It could all be so easy. Take out the laundry bag, put in the dirty Lego bricks and put them in the washing machine. Lego itself advises not to do exactly that. The dishwasher is also not an option. Why don’t the Danes write on their website. “If the stones become very hot, they can lose their shape and no longer function,” it simply says. Ovens, microwaves and hairdryers are therefore taboo. According to Lego, handwork is the method of choice. The colorful bricks feel most comfortable in warm, but not too hot, water. Add a splash of mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth: and the feel-good washing program for the stones is ready. A clear advantage over the full wash cycle: the stones, especially the discs, remain scratch-free. You also need a lot of seating for a medium-sized set. The washing machine rinses the dirt from the Lego bricks much faster, but also visibly more ruthlessly. But what is the best way to do this?
If possible, the drying stones should not be left in direct sunlight and, if possible, should be placed so that the water can drain out of all cracks. Their power could cause the colored bricks to fade. Important: Because the stones in the laundry drum are constantly moving, rubbing against each other and sometimes even getting wedged into each other, fine scratches are unavoidable. If you don’t have a problem with this, you can use the washing machine to clean Lego without hesitation.
Sources:Lego
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