How to Wash a Stuffed Animal without Damaging It

Kids love to have a stuffed toy around as they treat those like friends; they play with them, talk with them and cuddle them to bed as well.

Thus, their life revolves around them.

But what if they become dirty or full of stains and expose your little one to catches allergies or germs!

Washing is the answer to get off stubborn spots and marks. But how you can you do it as if it damages

So, in order to avoid that anxiety.

Here we will tell you some procedures that will be helpful to you.

Things that you should consider first

How Old it Is

Determining the age of the stuffed animal is crucial in washing the stuffed animal. If more aged, then it needs a deep cleansing. But if it is not too old, then it needs just light and quick treatment.

The Construction

How the stitching of the stuffed animal takes place where the glue and other stitches have taken place, so it makes the whole washing procedure easy.

Read the Label

It is essential to read the instructions carefully because every washing treatment is not appropriate for every stuffed animal.

Determine the Cause

It also a crucial element of any type of washing. You have to figure out the reason why it is dirty. Whether it is due to the dirt or debris or any spill due to food or drink. Or you just want to disinfect your stuffed animal because of allergies.

The basis of each method is the same as just adding some additional techniques.

Hand Washing

It is appropriate for that stuffed animal that is delicate or old enough. In both, the situation machine wash can further damage it.

Supplies

1. Sink or bathtub
2. Mild detergent soap or baby soap
3. Toothbrush
4. Sponge

Soak

First, you have to soak the stuffed animal. To remove dirt and debris that are attached to it. Hence squeeze the stuffed animal. For this, you have to create a mixture of Luke warm water and add some mild detergent or you can also take the baby shampoo.

You can also use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub out the stains. Always use the toothbrush when the sponge is not working. Keep it for some time.

Washout

Before rinsing your stuffed animal, squeeze it again to get rid of the excess of soap as much as possible and see if there is any dirt left.

After that, rinse your stuffed animal with the clean water to wipe out any residues of soap.

Drying

After that, with the help of a toothbrush or brush comb the fur of the stuffed animal. Now, Press the stuffed animal as much as you can to get the excess off the water out.

Then transfer your stuffed animal on the towel to dry it further. When it remains damp, you can hang it under the fan or sun or hair dried it. It all depends on the material of the toy.

Washing Machine

Machine wash is the best option. Because it washes stuffed animals thoroughly and cleans out any stubborn stains without many efforts. But one should examine first if it can tolerate it or not.

Supplies

1. Vinegar
2. Toothbrush
3. Mesh bag
4. Mild detergent

 Preparing for the Washing

Before washing, you should first read the instruction on the label carefully. After that, remove all those parts which can be separate such as net and laces. Because if it is not, it can cause damage to it.

Pre-soak

Place the stuffed animal in the laundry mesh bag to provide it protection. Moreover, this will also help to store anything which can fall from a stuffed animal during washing. If it is not available, then place it into the pillowcase and attach the safety pin also.

If there are any stains or spills, you can pre-soak it into the vinegar solution by taking one part of vinegar a few drops of lemon juice or dish detergent with two parts of water mix it well.

Either you can directly drop the solution in the laundry bag or apply it with a sponge.

Machine washing

Check your machine before placing a stuffed toy that it doesn’t have any soap residues.

Then add a mild detergent or soap into it and set your machine on the cold/gentle cycle and never use agitator as it cause damage.

Drying

After washing, reshape your stuffed animal back by your fingers when it is damp. Never put it in the dryer as the heat can damage. Hence it recommended hanging your stuffed animal outside in the air or direct sunlight.

Furthermore, you can comb the animal or use a dental pick to make it full. If it is not too delicate, you can also tumble dry for 10 minutes.

Surface Cleaning the Stuff Toys

Supplies

1. Mild detergent
2. Sponge
3. Vacuum

To Wipe out the Dust

If there are only debris and dry particles. Then you can vacuum it. But if the vacuum is not available, you can also use a bristled brush. Moreover, it can also save you your kids from allergies.

We advised that you can use a brush or vacuum once at a month.

To spot Clean

You can use any stain remover on the spot. With the help of the cloth or sponge. Leave it for sometimes, and then remove it.

Homemade Cleaning Spray

You can create your cleaning spray. By taking warm water and dish washing detergent. Stir it well until it has completely mixed. Fill it in a spray bottle and pour it on stained or dirty areas.

After that let it air dry or use a sponge to wipe it off

 To Disinfect the Stuffed Animal

As the stuffed toys always remain with your little one so when they catch the flu or allergies, it is necessary to sanitize them because they caught the germs.

You have to create a mixture of soap and detergent in the water and apply it by toothbrush or cloth.

 Another Trick for the Dusty Particles

You can put your stuffed animal into the laundry bag and place it in the freezer for 24 to 48. After that, take it out from the freezer and wait until it drops to the room temperature.

Dry Cleaning toys

Batteries operated toys can’t be washed. So you need to apply a specific procedure.

Supplies

1. Baking Soda/ cornmeal/ wheat germ
2. Toothbrush
3. Plastic bag

Selecting the ingredient

From the above list, chose the absorbent substance, which you can find more convenient. But it has recommended you can decide according to the color. Baking soda for white color and dye color, cornmeal for yellow or beige color, and wheat germ for dye color.

Sealed in the Bag

After pouring the ingredient on the stuffed animal and place it on the large bag. Then shake it vigorously so that the absorbent has spread evenly then keep it for a few hours.

Wiping out the Baking Soda

After one hour, removes the stuffed animal from the bag. Then you can use the bristled brush to clean the ingredient.

You can also use the vacuum if it’s not working, and for fragile toys, you can wrap the breathable fabric on the opening vacuum.

Furthermore, for an effective result, repeat the procedure as needed. It can also help you to smell good the stuffed animal.

Cleaning from the insects

Many times different types of flies are found at your home, and the chance are they caught in your child toys and cause damage to your little ones and the toys.

Supplies

1. Freezer
2. Plastic bag

To get off from the bed bugs

The bed bug is the most common problem that can be faced by anyone, and even your toys especially stuffed one not save from it. Thus, put your stuffed animal in the plastic bag and put it in the freezer.

The temperature of the freezer should be zero centigrade. If you are not sure, then you use a thermometer for measuring and leave it for four days.

The temperature and days should be strictly followed. Otherwise, bed bugs not die.

Eliminating Fleas

Fleas are also a common issue that can be faced by any household.

For that, you have to sprinkle the borax powder on the stuffed animal place it in the sealed bag, and shake it vigorously. After that, leave it for hours.

Then wash it by a more appropriate method

Conclusion

Always remember washing and cleaning the stuffed animal is extremely important. Otherwise, it will be the be damage or prone to be allergies and other health-related issues.

We hope that you will find this article informative and interesting enough, and you will find the most accurate method for washing.