Washing stuffed animals is a lot simpler than you think. It is tricky for sure, but this article will simplify it for you! The stuffed animal though might look clean may contain dust mites and dirt, so it is always advised to wash your stuffed animal once every 2-3 months. The dust mites can cause allergies to you and your little ones who are in constant touch with it.
Planning to wash your stuffed animal after a long time? Want to clean up visible stubborn stains from its surface? Read on to know the easy way of washing your favourite stuffed animal:
VACUUM:
Don’t wait until the dirt on stuffed animals is obvious. Even if you can’t see it, those little guys are collecting dust that can aggravate your child’s allergies. Loosen the dust with a soft brush or clean dust cloth. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a hose and attachments, periodically use the attachments to carefully vacuum the stuffed animals. Vary the attachment size to fit the size of the animal.
MACHINE WASHABLE:
For machine washable toys, place the stuffed animal in a pillow case or mesh bag. Wash in cold water. Do not use bleach. Air-dry stuffed animals overnight or tumble dry with no heat.
SPOT CLEAN:
A favorite teddy bear is typically part of your child’s daily activities, so a portion of her lunch may just end up on teddy’s belly. You can use a multipurpose stain remover to spot-clean stuffed animals. Mix a color-safe, multipurpose, oxygen-based stain remover with warm water. Be sure the powder is completely dissolved. Apply it to the stain, saturating it. Rub the fabric in small areas and wait up to 10- 15 minutes. Don’t allow the solution to dry on the fabric. Blot it with a white towel and repeat the procedure until the stain is no longer visible. Then rinse it with clean water and blot until dry.
BAKING SODA METHOD:
Baking soda absorbs oil from stuffed animals fur, giving them a fresh, clean scent. Use about a tablespoon of baking soda for a small animal. Cover it with a light coating of baking soda and place the stuffed animal in a pillowcase. You can clean more than one animal at the same time in a large pillowcase. Close the bag and shake it vigorously. Leave the animal in the bag for about a half hour so the baking soda can absorb the oil. Wipe the powder off the stuffed animal with a damp paper towel. Empty the pillowcase and place the stuffed animal back into it. Toss it in the dryer for a few minutes, then fluff your furry friend’s fur with a soft brush or use a small vacuum attachment.
SOAKING:
Soaking the stuffed animal works just perfect! It not only cleans the surface but also the inside stuffing! Soak the stuffed animal in cold water, submerging and squeezing. Nasty stuff will most likely come out of the stuffing. Keep squeezing it out until the water comes out clear. You may now scrub the surface with a liquid detergent using a toothbrush. Press out the excess soap by squeezing your animal under the water again. You’ll probably see more gross stuff. Continue until the water coming out runs clear. Rinse under cold water and continue squeezing out the suds followed by sun drying.
Now that you know how exactly to wash your stuffed animal, clean up all your stuffed buddies in a go!