For parents across the UK, the mammoth task of cleaning a child's ball pit is a familiar and dreaded chore. With hundreds of multi-coloured plastic balls to sanitise, the job can take hours if done individually. However, a savvy mum has shared a revolutionary method that slashes cleaning time dramatically, using a common household appliance.
The Washing Machine Method That's Gone Viral
Heather Medaries, who shares toddler and baby advice on TikTok, posted a video demonstrating her ingenious cleaning technique. Instead of hand-washing or soaking, she loads all the balls directly into her washing machine drum. She adds a gentle detergent and some baking soda before setting the appliance to run on a delicate cycle with cold water.
Remarkably, she claims the balls come out virtually dry and perfectly clean. "The easiest way to clean all of those ball pit balls... I use the delicate cycle with cold water, gentle detergent and baking soda," Heather explained. "They're basically dry when I pull them out of the washing machine."
Parenting Community Reacts with Amazement
The video, posted in January 2026, sparked a wave of excitement and relief in the comments section. Other parents hailed Heather as a "genius" and "clever," with many admitting they had never considered the idea. One astonished viewer wrote, "Wait what! Did not know this," while another declared, "okay this is GENIUS."
The hack also prompted further useful tips from the community. One commenter offered a crucial piece of advice to make the process even smoother: "You have to get a mesh laundry bag to save you time pulling every single ball out, it's a game changer!" This simple addition prevents balls from getting lost in the machine and makes unloading effortless.
Why This Hack is a Game-Changer for Busy Families
This method provides a compelling solution to a problem that often leads parents to skip cleaning altogether, especially if snacks aren't allowed in the pit. Traditional techniques, like using antibacterial spray on each ball or washing them in batches in a bucket of hot water, are incredibly time-consuming.
Heather Medaries' washing machine hack transforms a multi-hour ordeal into a quick, set-and-forget task. It leverages an appliance found in nearly every UK home, making it an accessible and highly efficient solution for maintaining toy hygiene. For families looking to save precious time, this viral tip is proving to be an indispensable part of the modern parenting toolkit.
