Are you concerned about dust and germs that can accumulate over time on your child’s favorite stuffed animal toys? As cuddly and huggable as these plush toys can be, furry objects can attract a lot of dust. But of course you don’t want to harm your child’s cuddly friend! There are some easy ways to clean, sanitize, and refresh stuffed animals without destroying any of their charm. To get started, you need to read the toy’s label carefully, or if it’s missing, you need to determine what material the stuffed animal is made of and how delicate it may be.
Sturdy Toys: Washer and Dryer
Many stuffed toys will say on the label that they are machine washable. If the label says hand wash only, or if you’re not sure, try one of the other methods below. Most unlabeled toys will probably survive a wash cycle, but you should check the type of material. There are a few key differences between a load of laundry and a stuffed animal or group of cuddly toys. Be sure to use the most delicate cycle with only cold water to keep the colors bright. Add a little fabric softener to keep the toys soft and huggable. It is important not to overfill the machine: stuffed animals absorb water like a pillow and become heavy. When you put the stuffed animals in the dryer, use the fluff/air cycle or tumble dry. You may want to use extra dryer sheets as stuffed toys can create a lot of static and a soft feel and fresh scent never hurt a teddy bear!
More delicate toys – Dry cleaning at home
If your toy is a bit more fragile, consider using Dryel or another trusted brand of household dry cleaning bags. Put a small number of toys in the dryer on low heat, according to the instructions, and you’ll soon have a new teddy bear or other stuffed toy. If your toy has plastic parts, like eyes or noses (many stuffed dogs, stuffed cats, or other toys have plastic attached), you may want to use the dryer method. The plastic can melt and the glue can loosen in the heat, and regular running in the washer and dryer could damage them.
