How to clean stuffed animals without ruining them?

When we were children, many of us had special stuffed animals, and it’s likely that none of them were ever washed by our parents. Let’s omit the unpleasant details and just say that cleaning up after kids’ messes can be difficult. Fortunately, now that we are parents, we are much more knowledgeable about dirt and germs. Stuffed animals and other soft toys require a thorough cleaning every so often, though not as frequently as our children do.

It’s not very difficult to learn how to wash stuffed animals, but you must be careful and use the proper technique. Your stuffed animals should ideally still have a label with washing instructions that can be read. Ironically, the favourite stuffed animals are frequently the ones that get the most soiled. They are also frequently the ones without a care label.

Can You Wash Stuffed Animals?

The majority of stuffed animals and plush toys can be washed by hand or in a washing machine. The toy is the best to hand washed if there is no label and you are unsure of the kind of exterior fabric and fill substance. But how can you safely hand wash used and perhaps delicate stuffed animals? To find out, take these actions:

• Make sure your child is not watching when you locate a side seam, gently cut the stitching, and remove all the fill material.
• Both sides of the outside fabric should be hand-washed with water and a mild detergent.
• Wash the internal cloth by turning the unstuffed animal inside out.
• Lay the soft toy flat to air dry after giving it a good rinse and squeezing out any extra water.
• Put in an appropriate substitute for the original stuffing.
• Distribute the fill material evenly after stitching up the seam.

Old, worn-out stuffed animals can be cleaned once more with a little bit of handiwork, and you can even add more filling to them to give them a new lease on life. Mr. Bear now has a fresh lease of life, even if you might still need to hand wash the plush toy again.

Other plush toys and stuffed animals that normally can’t be washed and may need special handling include:

• animals in a stuffed form that include music or other electronics.
• Sequin, button, glued-on eye, hat, and other embellished plush toys.
• Stuffed animals dressed in delicate materials like sheer or net.
• Foam balls rather than batting are used to stuff plush creatures like Beanie Babies.

To remain on top of things, occasionally inspect plush animals for stains, rips, dangling eyes, or loose decorations. To keep those priceless stuffed animals looking new for longer, spot-treat stains with a moist cloth and fix any damage you notice.

How to Wash Stuffed Animals By Hand

Although many plush toys can be washed in a washing machine, doing so puts a lot of strain on the delicate materials. Because of this, hand washing stuffed animals is nearly always the best option. To keep all of your favorite stuffed animals smelling good and feeling soft, follow these washing instructions for stuffed animals.

1. remove stains

A natural stain remover made of 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar and 8 ounces of cool water should be used to treat any stains that are found. Dab the stain with a white kitchen towel and keep going until no more colour is absorbed.

• Hand wash

Be patient and kind, especially when handling worn-out soft toys. Keep an eye out for these weak regions because daily petting can typically wear thin spots in the hairy fabric. Put a few drops of mild detergent in a sink filled with cool water, then work the cleaning agent into the hairy material.

• Squeeze and rinse

Don’t wring the toy; instead, squeeze out as much soapy water as you can. Squeeze the excess water from the stuffed animal after giving it a thorough rinse. Rinse often until the water is clear.

• Air dry

To fluff up the fur and remove any soap residue, use a wet cloth. Machine drying is not permitted because plush toys are typically made of synthetic materials. If at all feasible, air dry the toy inside on a rack or outside in the sun.

Give beloved stuffed animals a dusting once a week and inspect for stains to keep them cleaner for longer. Clean the toy using a soft nylon brush to remove any dirt or debris, and give it a bath when it starts to look dirty and worn out.

How to Clean Stuffed Animals in The Washer

By accident or carelessness, we have all washed items we shouldn’t have. Put your plush animal in the washer if the tag indicates that machine washing is acceptable. More than one plush animal can be washed in the washing machine at once as long as they are kept apart.

Here is how to wash plush toys and stuffed animals in a washing machine:

1. Colour tests

The first thing to do is to do a color-fastness test on the stuffed animal if its clothing is made of colored fabric. If the colour bleeds, dab a mixture of half water and half detergent on a hidden area; if so, use only water in the washer.

• Treat Spot Stains

In a bowl, combine a teaspoon of white vinegar with a cup of cold water. Until the discoloration is gone, blot stains with a fresh, white cloth dipped in spot remover. Always dab rather than rub to avoid rubbing the stain deeper into the fur.

• Kill germs

Use a laundry sanitizer in the washer to sanitize a washable stuffed animal. Even during the cold and flu season, it can be tempting to use a spray disinfectant to clean toys, but the chemicals may harm the synthetic fur.

• Wash and Bag

Put each stuffed animal in a mesh bag or zipped pillowcase before washing it, whether it’s one or many. The last thing you need is for one of your favorites to become tangled up with a toy or an agitator and break. Using a mild detergent, cold water, and the delicate cycle should keep things secure. If there is a care label, follow it.

• Fluff and Dry

Roll the stuffed animal in a fresh, white bath towel, then push down to wring out any extra moisture. To assist the plush animal in returning to its normal shape, re-distribute any moved fill material. Then, let the item air dry. Say hello to your as-good-as-new furry friend after fluffing everything up and making sure all the fill is where it should be.