5 Effective Ways to Clean Plush Toys

If you have a child, they probably have a treasured stuffed animal that's a toy, a friend, and a napkin all rolled into one. When a child really loves a toy, he takes it everywhere with him.

It's cute, sure, but it's also super gross . Whether it's nighttime drool from a sleepover 💫 or sticky jam from sharing their breakfast, it's good to clean stuffed animals and stuffed toys from time to time to keep them fresh. better from their shape (and their smell!).

But washing your favorite stuffed animals and stuffed animals can be quite stressful for kids... so here's how to do it without damaging them ! First of all, so that this task is not potentially dangerous to good health 👩‍⚕ 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 tips, 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 up a giraffe's neck 🦒 in place, for example, which could be damaged in the machine.

Hand washing stuffed animals might be preferable for more complex and detailed toys or larger plush toys (on average over 45cm). As for machine washing, wash the plush toy at a lower temperature than you normally wash clothes at, as higher heats can cause melting 🔥 sticks to the toys and make them fall into pieces (the same goes for the dryer, so let the soft toys dry naturally in the open air).

2) Prepare Plush Toys before Cleaning

What would your child say if their favorite stuffed animal came out of the washing machine without an arm? There's no need to know! ☺ Before cleaning soft toys by hand or in the washing machine, examine 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 them.

3) The Method of Machine Washing Soft Toys

A- What you will need ✅

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

B- The Method

Most stuffed animals can take a spin in the washing machine safely 👷 , although of course there is always the possibility of damage, which is something you need to take into consideration. 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 this operation:

• If they were so loved ❤ whether they fall apart or it's just a delicate design, be sure to protect it as best you can if you're washing stuffed animals in a washing machine. A pillowcase 🛏 vacuum is ideal for this. Just slip the toy into the pillowcase and secure with safety pins if needed. The pillowcase will also help protect the material of the toy from snagging in the drum of the machine . If they are extremely delicate, it is best to wash them by hand, especially if it is a toy that is particularly special to your child.

• You can also pad the drum of the washing machine with towels can add another layer of protection.
• Use the gentlest cycle 🍃 available on your washing machine.
• When choosing a detergent for washing plush 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 best to use a detergent like Persil detergents that are gentle on babies' delicate skin 👶.

• For drying , see " 8) Drying 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 instructions 📋 for hand washing, just a quick note so you don't think it's a crazy chore! We like to be thorough when writing instructions, but don't let the number of words you see here scare you away: Washing stuffed animals is actually a pretty painless task .

B- The Steps

• Step 1: Choose a place 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 large enough for you to submerge the stuffed animal in water , with enough room for you to put your hands in without making a huge mess of water. And, of course, make sure the area where you wash your stuffed animals is clean.

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

Fill the sink with lukewarm water ♨ and add a small amount of a mild detergent. It's easy to overuse detergent, which will make the rinsing part of the operation nightmarish . Measuring out a teaspoon and adding more if needed 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 perfect. You don't need a specialized product.

In the case of shabby, stained, or otherwise discolored fluff, the use of a reinforcer like baking soda, combined with a long ⏳ Soaking in the detergent solution will help lighten up your furry friend .

• Step 3: Wash:

Submerge the plush toy in the water using a pumping motion, so that it is saturated with the detergent solution . Then let it rest and soak it well for 15 to 60 minutes, depending on its condition and how dirty it is 🧪. Shaking it occasionally will also help loosen the dirt.

• Step 4: Rinse:

After letting the item soak, drain the wash water . It will probably be quite disgusting!

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 straining 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 foam. If the toy is solid, you can also rinse it directly under running water 💧. Rinse it well to remove any traces of detergent residue, making it look even fresher and preventing your child from harming their health .

• Step 5: Dry: See “ 8) Dry the Plush to Keep It Soft and Sparkling ” below.

5) The Method of Quick Cleaning the Plush Toy following a Food Accident

If someone dropped jam 🥞 on a teddy bear or it fell into a puddle of orange juice, you may be able to treat the stain quickly rather than washing it later . Do it immediately. Do not rub a stained object, because the liquid will become more embedded in the fur.

For the jam , gently scrape off as much residue as possible with a dull knife, then gently rub the White Wizard onto the affected area and leave for a few minutes. Blot up as much 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 cold water. Finish by dusting with a dry towel. Repeat the operation 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 or with sewn parts that could be damaged in washing , 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.
• Choose an absorbent powder e. Any absorbent powder can be used, but it is best to choose a powder 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, corn flour 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 over 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 suction hose (such as that of a vacuum cleaner for example). For delicate toys, wrap a sock 🧦 or breathable fabric around the end of the hose to decrease 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 smell.

7) The Quick and Easy Vacuum Cleaner Method

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

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

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

If you washed the toy by hand 🖐, 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, pressing again to extract more water .

Then place the item on the towel to air dry . Air drying will be the gentlest choice. Tumble drying is also fine (only if it says tumble dry lint on the label) and is best used on the low heat setting. You can also hang it on a clothesline (but keep them away from direct sunlight 🌞; this could cause the colors to fade!).

9) Finishes

Then, when the toy has dried to the point of 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 touch final!). You can also give the fur a gentle comb to bring it back to its former glory ✨. But do not use a comb for your hair, in order to avoid depositing on the fluff your products that you put on your hair.

10) Keep Plush Toys Like New

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