Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Children of all ages love stuffed animals, so it's important to know how to wash them properly. Always read the label attached to the product so as not to damage or drop stuffed animal parts. Use soap that is safe for the material of the toy and for your health. Be sure to dry your stuffed animals both inside and out to prevent mold.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Use a washing machine

1. 

   Make sure your stuffed animal is washable in the washing machine. Read the labels attached to the stuffed animals to make sure they are machine washable. You will not be able to wash a stuffed animal if:
   • Your stuffed animal has a music box attached.
   • It is very old, has loose bristles or loose limbs, or breaks easily when handled.
   • There are adhesive accessories such as eyes, arms, legs, and ears made of plastic or resin.
   • Stuffed animals wear delicate clothing that is sewn on to the animal completely and cannot be removed, such as a sparkling skirt or a brittle crown.
   • The beast is stuffed with a small sponge inside instead of cotton.

2. 

   
   
   Examine the beast carefully. Do you need to remove any parts? Are there any loose wires that need attention? Make sure you do not damage the stuffed animal or the washing machine.

3. 

   Find out what your washing machine is. It is best to wash stuffed animals in a washing machine that does not have a spin. A washing machine with a spindle often causes a stuffed animal to curl because the spindle moves the stuffed stuffed inside.
   • Instead of using a top-loading washing machine, you can send lots of clothes to the automatic laundry to wash with your stuffed animals.

4. 

   
   
   Put stuffed animals in a net bag. You can buy laundry net bags at same price stores, supermarkets or laundromats. It will protect the stuffed animal when the washing machine kneads it.

5. 

   Use a light washing cycle. Even a regular washing cycle can be too intense for a stuffed animal, so it's always safe to wash it in light mode. Use warm or cool water. Avoid hot water, as it can dissolve the glue and cause stuffed animal parts to fall off. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Hand wash

1. 

   
   
   Read the product label. Your stuffed animal may have a label that says "hand wash only" or "light cycle wash". Your toys can be too fragile, so it's best to hand wash them without damage.
   • Don't just clean individual areas if stain gets below the surface of the stuffed animal. Germs and odors will persist if dirt gets into the stuffed inside. For example, if the baby is learning to put off diapers and pee on a stuffed animal, the inside of the animal will still be wet even though the outside stain has been cleaned.

2. 

   Fill the sink with cold water and add a cup of soothing soap. Cover the sink to store water or pour cold water and soap into a large container such as a bucket or basin. Be sure to read the label to see if soap is best suited for the stuffed animal's material. Strong soap can discolor or damage toys.
   • Don't use too much soap, or it will be difficult to rinse it off.

3. 

   Dip a stuffed animal in water. Immerse the stuffed animal in water so that the soapy water is absorbed in and the dirt is removed. Gently clean the stuffed animal when soaked in water. Use your hands to gently rub and remove dirt or stains.

4. 

   Rinse off the soap. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap. Squeeze as much water as possible. Do not shake or twist the animal. Cover the stuffed animal with an old towel and squeeze the water out.
   • You can gently squeeze a stuffed animal depending on its condition. Old animals can easily loosen if you handle them incorrectly.

5. 

   Let dry. Cotton and reshape the toy and allow to dry. Do not place stuffed animals near a heat source or in direct sunlight to avoid discoloration or deformation.

6. 

   Clean up stains on the surface of stuffed animals. If the toy only gets slightly dirty on the surface or the label says “surface only”, choose a mild cleaning product. You can use foam upholstery laundry soap to remove stains. Read the ingredients on the product carefully to make sure that there are no harsh chemicals that can be harmful to children.
   • Babies can put toys in their mouths, so you need to make sure the detergent is safe. There are many products that are marketed specifically for washing stuffed animals. Find products that are safe and effective for you. You can also use unscented baby soap and a damp rag to remove the stain.

7. 

   Use trash bags and baking soda. If your stuffed animal is medium sized, put it in a large trash bag with ½ cup baking soda. You can add more baking soda if the animal is quite large. Tie the bag tightly and shake it vigorously. Keep the bag sealed and let the stuffed animal inside for about 15-20 minutes, then open the bag and shake off the baking soda.
   • You can use a vacuum cleaner if you feel the animal will not be damaged. Do not shake the bag too hard if you feel the animal may loosen.
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Method 3 of 3: Dry stuffed animals

1. 

   Use the clothesline. The wet the toy is, the longer it will dry. You should try to remove the water before drying the stuffed animal on the clothesline. If it's sunny, use tongs to hang the stuffed animals on the drying line.
   • Sunlight is a natural stain remover and disinfectant. The spot method of cleaning stains won't require much water, so you probably don't need to hang a stuffed animal that only cleans up each stain.

2. 

   Air-dry the stuffed animal. Air-dry the toy if the weather is unfavorable. You just need to keep the animal in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.

3. 

   Use a dryer. If the label on your stuffed animal says "dryer use", put the animal in a dryer and run on low heat or wrinkle mode. You can also use a hairdryer on a cool or low heat setting.
   • While the heat will dry quickly, a stuffed animal can spoil or become sticky. You should use the air-drying mode for the maintenance of stuffed fur if it is available in the dryer.

4. 

   Avoid using the drying mode. Add a few towels to the load to give the stuffed animal a softer movement. You should also use a drying cloth that helps remove static electricity from stuffed animals so your baby doesn't get jerked to the touch.

5. 

   Make sure your stuffed animal is dry both inside and out. The inside will take longer to dry than the outside. Make sure your stuffed animal is dry on the inside, otherwise mold can form and harm your baby's health. Use a dryer or a hair dryer for a short period of time to help your stuffed animal dry more quickly.

6. 

   Fix the shape of the stuffed animal. The stuffing inside can be kneaded during the drying process. Adjust the shape and make the fur so that the toy returns to its original shape. advertisement

Advice

• After spraying any product with a stuffed animal, be sure to let it dry completely before playing.
• If you like, you can spray the fragrance after spraying the cleanser.
• Even if it says “surface wash only”, stuffed animals can be washed in a washing machine.
• Wrap stuffed animals in bed sheets before placing them in the washing machine to prevent toy parts from getting stuck in the machine.

Warning

• Do not rub too hard on the surface of the stuffed animal.
• Do not put stuffed animals in the washing machine unless the label says “machine washable”. Most of the labels attached to stuffed animals say "surface wash only".