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How to Wash Stuffed Animals Without Damaging Them
If you have children, you’re likely familiar with how precious certain stuffed animals are. Whether the lovey has been passed down through the family, sleeps alongside your child every night or is carried around everywhere, stuffed animals can get a lot of use — exposing them to things like food, dirt, allergens, lice and general wear.
How you wash stuffed animals depends on how fragile they are. Many stuffed animals can be washed in the washing machine, but older or delicate toys need special care and should be washed by hand.
Read on to discover how to safely wash your child’s stuffed animals without damaging them.
Put durable stuffed animals in the washing machine
Most plush toys like teddy bears and other animals can be put in the laundry, which is quick and easy. However, stuffed animals with glued-on eyes, sequins, plastic parts or delicate clothing may not survive the spinning or heat of a washing machine.
If your child’s stuffed animal passes the washing machine standards, there are a few important steps to take to ensure the stuffed animal does not get damaged or experience premature wear and tear. To safely wash these stuffed animals, you’ll need a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and mild detergents.
1. Remove or secure loose parts
Before placing stuffed animals in the washing machine, make sure to remove any loose parts or accessories. Cleaning up stuffing from a plush toy is not fun. If the stuffed animal is torn anywhere, make sure to patch up any rips or holes to prevent stuffing from leaking out.
2. Place the stuffed animal in a mesh bag or pillowcase
Once the stuffed animal is ready to wash, place it in a mesh laundry bag. If you don’t have one of those, a pillowcase works just as well — just put the stuffed animal in the pillowcase and tie it off with a knot on the top. Both will give the stuffed animal a layer of protection and prevent it from moving around too much or getting caught on anything during the wash cycle.
3. Use mild detergents
Adding mild detergents to the washing machine, such as free and clear formulas, is best when washing stuffed animals. Mild detergents tend to be less harsh and provide a gentler clean so stuffed animals last longer.
4. Set the machine to a gentle cycle
Once the stuffed animal is ready to be washed, keep in mind that stuffed animals may not be able to handle a normal washing cycle. It’s best to set the machine to a gentle or delicate cycle and use cold water to remove any stains or allergens (pet dander, dust, mold). If you’re washing a stuffed animal to remove lice, use hot water during the wash cycle.
Hand wash delicate stuffed animals
Stuffed animals that are fragile or have a long history can be trickier to wash. If a stuffed animal is in delicate condition, it’s best to wash it by hand. To effectively wash these toys, you’ll need a bucket or tub, an old toothbrush or cloth and a mild soap or detergent.
1. Fill a tub with cool water and soap
Fill a washing bucket or tub with cold water then add soap.
Anytime you wash a stuffed animal you’ll want to choose mild soaps or detergents to use. Something as simple as liquid dish soap could clean the stuffed animal. This will also be gentle on your hands as you hand wash the toy. Using a baking soda and vinegar solution is also a great (and non-toxic) way to wash these toys.
2. Gently scrub or spot clean
Dip either an old toothbrush or a cloth into the tub filled with soap and water and use your tool to very carefully scrub the entire surface of the stuffed animal. If you’re using a cloth, make sure it is white or a very light color so the dyes within the cloth do not stain the stuffed animal when spot cleaning or scrubbing.
For small stains or problem areas, consider spot cleaning instead of washing the entire stuffed animal. This could help preserve the stuffed animal longer.
3. Rinse
Once the stuffed animal has been properly cleaned, rinse it under a light stream of water or by dipping a new cloth in water and gently rubbing off the soap. If a stuffed animal is very fragile, “rinsing” it with a wet cloth is best.
How to safely dry stuffed animals
Once the stuffed animal is clean, hang dry it using a clothes hanger or clothes pins. It’s best to avoid putting stuffed animals in the dryer as fur can burn and plastic pieces can melt in high temperatures.
Placing the toy near a fan or dehumidifier is also a great drying method and will ensure that the stuffing doesn’t retain any water. A hair dryer on low heat can also help dry the stuffed animal gently and smooth out any matted, wet hair.
How often should you wash stuffed animals?
If a stuffed animal is dirty, it should be washed before your child plays with it again. Keep in mind that things like allergens, mites and bacteria may not be visible to the eye. To protect your child from these things, a good rule of thumb is wash their favorite stuffed animals whenever you wash their bedding.
If your child has allergies, you may want to consider washing their stuffed animals more frequently, like every one to two weeks during peak allergy seasons.
Like many children, your child might be attached to their stuffed animals. It’s a good idea to have backup options that they can cuddle or play with while one is being washed or hang drying — you don’t want to show up empty handed during naptime or bedtime! Shop plush toys to find stuffed animals that they’ll love.