Stuffed animals are beloved by kids of all ages, so it’s crucial to know how to clean them properly for their safety. Always make sure to read the label to avoid damaging the stuffed animal during washing. Use mild soaps that are safe for the material and your health. Ensure both the inside and outside of the stuffed animal are completely dry after washing to prevent mold.

Using a Washing Machine

First and foremost, make sure you can machine-wash your stuffed animal. Read the stuffed animal’s label to confirm it can go in the machine. You can’t machine-wash it if:

1. Your stuffed animal has an internal electronic device like a plush nightlight.
2. It is already damaged and/or old.
3. The stuffed animal has delicate clothing items sewn permanently, like a sparkly dress or a fragile crown.
4. The stuffed animal is filled with foam balls instead of cotton.

Inspect the Stuffed Animal Carefully

Make sure to remove anything that can be taken off, such as chains, scarves, hats, and clothes, before machine-washing. Anything removable should be taken off because some accessories are more delicate than the stuffed animal itself.

What Type of Machine Do You Have?

Stuffed animals are best washed in a machine without an agitator. Machines with an agitator tend to damage stuffed animals.

So, avoid top-loading machines, as they are often of the type that is not suitable for washing your stuffed animals.

Place Your Stuffed Animal in a Mesh Bag

Use a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase to provide extra protection against snags on the edges of the machine’s interior, which are never smooth.

Machine Temperature

Use the gentle or delicate cycle. Even a regular cycle can be too harsh for your stuffed animal, so always wash it gently for safety. Use lukewarm or cold water; avoid using hot water as it could deform the eyes and even detach them.

How to Clean a Stuffed Animal that Can’t Go in the Machine

Some stuffed animals can only be washed by hand, as even a delicate wash cycle could damage them. Handwashing is the best way to thoroughly clean them without causing harm.

Don’t just clean surface stains; deep-seated stains can quickly become a breeding ground for germs and unpleasant odors if they penetrate the inner cotton.

Preparing the Sink for Stuffed Animal Cleaning

Fill your sink with cold water and a cup of mild soap. Use a cap to ensure your sink fills with water or use a large container like a bucket or basin, and fill it with cold water and mild soap. Make sure to check if the soap is best suited for your stuffed animal’s material. Strong soaps can discolor or damage your stuffed animal.

Don’t use too much soap, or it can be difficult to rinse.

Handwashing Stuffed Animals

Immerse your stuffed animal completely to allow the soapy water mixture to penetrate and combat the stain thoroughly. Gently clean the stuffed animal while it’s immersed. Use your hands to gently rub the material to remove debris or stains.

Rinsing the Stuffed Animal

Thoroughly rinse out all the soap. Squeeze out as much water as possible; do not shake or wring the stuffed animal. Place it in a bath towel or another towel and press it several times for 2 seconds until excess water is removed. It will be ready for a trip to the dryer.

Be careful about how much pressure you apply when pressing if the stuffed animal is old.

Drying the Stuffed Animal

Let it dry. Reshape the stuffed animal as closely as possible to its original form. Do not place it immediately near a heat source or in the sun, as it could deform or discolor. If your stuffed animal’s label allows it, you can also put it in a dryer.

Cleaning a Stuffed Animal with Baking Soda

If there’s only a little dirt on the surface or if your label specifies “surface cleaning only,” use a gentle cleaner. You can use furniture shampoo that creates foam to remove stains. Read the ingredients to make sure there are no harsh chemicals that could be harmful to a child.

Since your child may put the toy in their mouth, make sure any cleaning product is safe. Many cleaners are specifically marketed for cleaning stuffed animals. Find a safe and effective cleaner that works for you. You can also use unscented baby detergent with a damp cloth to clean stains.

Using a Trash Bag and Baking Soda

If your stuffed animal is medium-sized, place it in a large bag with ½ cup of baking soda. Add more if the stuffed animal is large. Close the bag and shake it well. Keep the bag closed for 15-20 minutes after shaking it. Open the bag and remove as much baking soda as possible by hand.

Use a handheld vacuum cleaner if there is still baking soda left, but do not use a powerful vacuum, as it could damage your stuffed animal.

Drying Stuffed Animals

Use a clothesline. The wetter your stuffed animal is, the longer it will take to dry. Make sure all excess water is gone before hanging your stuffed animal on a clothesline.

The sun is a natural stain remover and sanitizer.

Outdoor Drying for Stuffed Animals

Drying your stuffed animal. Leave your stuffed animal outside if the weather permits. Otherwise, let it air dry in a protected area, away from your children and pets.

Drying Stuffed Animals with a Hair Dryer

Use a hair dryer. If the label indicates that you can use a dryer, place the stuffed animal in a dryer on a low heat setting. You can also use a low-heat or cold hair dryer at a safe distance from it.

While heat dries the toy quickly, it can also damage the stuffed animal’s fur.

Stuffed Animal Drying

Make sure both the inside and outside are dry. The inside takes longer to dry, so ensure it is dry; otherwise, mold can develop, which can be dangerous for your children’s health. Use a hair dryer for a short period to speed up the process.

Reshaping Stuffed Animals

Reposition and reshape the stuffed animal. The inner cotton may have compressed during the drying process, so reshape your stuffed animal and gently brush the fur with a soft brush to make it look like the original version.

How to Clean a Musical Stuffed Animal

Start by gathering the necessary materials:

• Vanish or another mild laundry detergent
• Water
• Washcloth
• Bowl
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner

The Steps:

1. Before cleaning a voice-activated or electronic toy, remove the batteries. In some cases, the battery compartment can be detached from the stuffed animal to prevent it from getting wet or damaged.
2. Begin by filling a clean, lukewarm water bowl.
3. Add a small amount of laundry detergent and mix it well.
4. Dip the washcloth into the soapy mixture.
5. Gently scrub the exterior of the stuffed animal.
6. Rinse by scrubbing the surface with a clean cloth soaked in clear water.
7. Repeat as needed until most of the soap is removed.
8. Allow the toy to air dry completely in a warm, dry place.
9. To remove odors, sprinkle the stuffed animal with baking soda. You can also mix.