5 EFFECTIVE METHODS TO CLEAN STUFFED TOYS

If you have a child, they probably have  a treasured stuffed animal  that is a toy, a friend, and a napkin all in one. When a child really loves a toy, they take it everywhere with them.

It's cute, sure, but it's also  super gross . Whether it's late-night drool from a sleepover? or sticky jam from sharing breakfast, it's a good idea to clean stuffed animals and plush toys every now and then to keep them looking (and smelling!) their best. 

But washing your favorite stuffed animals and plush toys can be quite stressful for kids... so here's  how to do it without damaging them  ! First of all, to ensure that this task is not potentially dangerous to the health ?‍⚕ of your child's friend, follow the instructions below. And don't worry, there's nothing to worry about! 

1) Use the Best Methods to Clean Your Child's Precious Companion Without Damaging It

Many busy parents want to know how to wash stuffed toys in the washing machine, and the answer is to  make sure you use the best methods ✔. To do this, first check the care label to see if there are any washing instructions, then check the toy to see if it can withstand a machine wash. Give it a good feel to see if there are any stiffeners inside, like plastic to hold a giraffe's neck in place for example, that could be damaged in the machine.

Hand washing stuffed animals may be better for  more intricate and detailed toys  or larger stuffed toys (on average over 18 inches). When it comes to machine washing, wash the stuffed animal at a lower temperature than you would normally wash clothes at, as higher heat can melt the glues on the toys and cause them to fall apart (the same goes for tumble drying, so air dry stuffed animals naturally).

2) Prepare Stuffed Toys Before Cleaning

What would your child say if their favorite stuffed animal came out of the washing machine without an arm? You don't need to know! ☺ Before cleaning stuffed animals by hand or in the washing machine,  inspect the toy  for stitches or damage .  If you can,  repair damaged areas  and tears with a needle and thread before washing to reduce the risk of damage. And of course,  remove the batteries  before washing.

3) The Machine Washing Method for Stuffed Animals

A- What you will need ✅

• Laundry detergent
• Washing machine
• Zippered pillowcase (optional)
• Washing towels (optional)

B- The Method

Most stuffed animals are safe to wash in the washing machine, though of course there is always the possibility of damage, which is something you should consider. That said, machine washing will be a great choice for most parents who want to clean their kids' stuffed animals (or kids who want to clean their parents' stuffed animal!). Here are the best practices for doing so:

• If they've been loved so much  that they're falling apart or they're just a delicate design, make sure you protect them as best you can if you're washing stuffed animals in a washing machine. An empty pillowcase is ideal for this. Simply  slide the toy into the pillowcase  and secure with safety pins if necessary. The pillowcase will also help protect the material of the toy  from getting snagged in the drum of the machine . If they're extremely delicate, it's best to hand wash them, especially if they're a particularly special toy to your child.

• You can also  stuff the washing machine drum  with towels to add another layer of protection.
• Use the gentlest cycle  available on your washing machine. 
• When choosing a detergent to wash stuffed toys, think about the toy and your child too.  Stuffed toys do not need a very strong detergent , and if your children are very small, it is better to use a detergent like Persil detergents that are gentle on babies' delicate skin.   

• For drying , see paragraph " 8) Drying the Plush to keep it Soft and Sparkling "  below.

4) The Hand Wash Method

A- What you will need ✅

• Sink  or Large Basin
• Detergent
• Elbow grease

Before we talk about the hand washing  instructions , just a quick note so you don't think this is a crazy chore! We like to be thorough when writing instructions, but don't let the number of words you see here scare you: Washing stuffed animals is actually a pretty painless task . 

B- The Steps

• Step 1: Choose a location where the washing will take place:

The kitchen sink is perfect for washing stuffed animals, but a spacious bathroom sink, utility sink, bathtub, or wash bucket are also good choices. What you need is  a space that is spacious enough for you to submerge the stuffed animal in water , with enough room for you to get your hands in without making a huge mess of water. And, of course, make sure the space where you wash your stuffed animals is clean.

• Step 2: Add water, detergent and booster, if necessary:

Fill the sink with warm water ♨ and add a small amount of mild detergent. It's easy to overuse detergent, which will make the rinsing part of the process a nightmare . Measuring out a teaspoon and adding more if necessary is a good way to avoid over-relaxing. 

In terms of products , regular laundry detergent (like Persil laundry detergent), a mild detergent or even baby shampoo are all fine. You don't need a specialist product. 

For ratty, stained, or otherwise discolored lint, using a strengthener like baking soda, combined with a long ⏳ soak in the detergent solution,  will help brighten your furry friend .

• Step 3: Wash:

Submerge the stuffed toy in the water using a pumping motion, so that it is saturated with the detergent solution . Then let it sit and soak thoroughly for 15 to 60 minutes, depending on its condition and how dirty it is. Agitating it from time to time will also help loosen the dirt.

• Step 4: Rinse:

After soaking the item,  drain the wash water . It will probably be pretty gross!

Once the water has drained, wipe or rinse the sink so that there is no more suds  ? , then fill it with clean water, and wring out the stuffed animal (without insisting too much so as not to damage it) while it is submerged to help it release the soap. Repeat as needed until the toy is free of suds. If the toy is solid, you can also rinse it directly under running water ?. Rinse it well to remove any traces of detergent residue, thus making it look even fresher and preventing your child from harming his health .

• Step 5: Dry: See paragraph “ 8) Drying the Plush to keep it Soft and Sparkling ”  below.

5) The Quick Cleaning Method for Stuffed Toys After a Food Accident

If someone spills jam on a teddy bear or it falls into a puddle of orange juice, you may be able to treat the stain quickly rather than washing it later . Do this immediately. Don't rub a stained item, as the liquid will set further into the fur.

For jam , gently scrape off as much residue as possible with a dull knife, then gently rub White Wizard  into the affected area and let sit for a few minutes. Blot as much of the color as possible with white paper towels. Rinse the stain with plenty of cool water. For orange juice?, blot the affected area to absorb the liquid, then rinse with cool water. Finish by dusting with a dry towel. Repeat if necessary?. For complete drying, see " 8) Drying Plush to Keep It Soft and Sparkling "  below.

6) The Dry Cleaning Method

For older toys, delicate toys, or toys with sewn parts that could be damaged in the wash , use this method instead.

A- You will need it ✅

• An absorbent powder (choose one):

1. Baking soda
2. or corn flour
3. or wheat germ

• A bag large enough to hold the toy

B- Steps to Clean the Toy:

• Get a bag big enough  to hold the toy and put it in it.
• Choose an absorbent powder . Any absorbent powder can be used, but it is best to choose a powder that is similar in color to the lint , if possible, in case the powder clings and is difficult to remove. For dark colors, use wheat germ. For beige or yellow colors, cornmeal can be used. For white ⚪ or any dye color (blue, red, green, etc.), use baking soda. Do not use coffee, as it may leave a stain.

• Sprinkle a generous amount of powder into the sachet.
• Close the bag, then shake it to distribute the powder on the toy.
• Leave the toy in the bag for at least an hour .
• Take out the bag and remove the toy .
• Shake the plush to start removing the powder ?. 
• Use a bristle brush to remove any remaining powder . If the powder is difficult to remove, use a vacuum hose (such as a vacuum cleaner). For delicate toys, wrap a sock or breathable fabric around the end of the hose to reduce suction.

This process can be repeated as many times as needed. The powder will absorb any dirt or oil on the surface of the toy . Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can also eliminate any odors.

7) The Quick and Easy Vacuum Method

A good way to quickly get rid of crumbs on stuffed animals is to give them a quick go with the vacuum cleaner . This will help catch dust mites ? and other critters, like fleas if you have pets ?. To make sure you completely kill the mites, you will need to wash your stuffed animal if it can go in the washing machine from time to time (see the machine washing method ( 3) The Machine Washing Stuffed Animals Method )  above) .

8) Dry the Plush to Keep it Soft and Sparkling:

Do not put stuffed toys in the dryer ❌. They may lose their shape or shrink . Unless otherwise indicated on the toy's label.

If you hand washed the toy, before removing the stuffed animal from the drained sink, gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Then, transfer the animal to a clean towel and roll it up, squeezing again to extract more water .

Then lay the item on the towel to air dry . Air drying will be the gentlest choice. Tumble drying is also fine (only if it says that the stuffed animal can be tumble dried on the label) and it's best to use the low heat setting. You can also hang it on a clothesline (but keep them out of direct sunlight?; it can cause the colors to fade!).

9) The Finishes

Then, once the toy has dried to the point of being just damp, a hair dryer on low or medium heat can help fluff up the fur ?  once the toy has reached the just damp stage (consider this a finishing touch!). You can also give the fur a gentle comb to restore its former shine ✨. Just don't use a comb meant for your hair, as this will cause your hair products to get onto the plush.

10) Keep Stuffed Toys Like New

Now that you know how to easily clean stuffed toys, it's a good idea to add "stuffed toy washing" to your regular cleaning routine . You may find it convenient to clean stuffed toys when you wash your child's bedding, but don't be afraid to step in at any time, especially if a toy gets particularly dirty. We recommend washing any animals you or your children sleep with every two weeks (along with your sheets) .