How to Care for Stuffed Animals
Giving Your Plush Pal a Spa Day
Is your favorite plushie looking a little less than their best? Don’t worry! With these simple cleaning instructions, you can have your stuffed companion looking and feeling fresh for years to come.
For a Surface Clean Only
Sometimes your plush companion just needs a quick touch-up rather than a full deep clean. If they have a minor spot or spill, try these gentle surface-cleaning steps first:
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The Gentle Sponge: Grab a fresh, clean sponge and dampen it with very warm to hot water (make sure it’s not boiling!). Gently rub the spot to lift away light dirt.
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Tackling Dried Spots: If you are dealing with something dried-on, dampen the area with warm water first to soften it. Then, use a very soft toothbrush to brush the spot away gently.
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For Stubborn Stains: If plain water isn’t doing the trick, it’s time for a little extra help. You can use a bit of OxiClean—either spray it directly onto the spot or dab it on using your sponge. Let it sit on the spot for a few minutes, then wipe it off with warm water.
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Drying: Once the spot is clean, gently press and dry the area with a clean, white cloth to absorb the moisture.
For a Deep Clean
Soak: Fill a basin or tub with warm water. Add a scoop of a gentle brightener like OxiClean and a gentle, degreasing dish soap, such as Dawn Ultra. Place your plushie in a pillowcase, submerge it, and let it soak overnight.
Wash: The next morning, you can either hand-wash your plushie or use a washing machine. If using a washing machine, keep the plushie inside its pillowcase and knot the open end securely. This pillowcase trick protects any plastic eyes or noses from getting scratched. To prevent damage, wash the plushie alone or with just one other plush toy.
Rinse: Rinse the plushie thoroughly to make sure all the soap is gone. My washing machine has a rinse only cycle that lets you control the speed and number of cycles. If the plush is very dense or large, I will run it through one rinse and spin cycle on the lowest setting.
Safety Tips
Before using any detergent on your plushie, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first. This will help ensure the detergent won’t cause any discoloration or damage.
If you are working with a vintage plush, it could be stuffed with excelsior (wood shavings) or some other type of stuffing that is incompatible with water.
Drying Instructions
When it comes to drying, the most important thing is to avoid the tumbling action of a dryer, which can damage the stuffing, eyes and fur.
- Squeeze It: Wrap the plush in a thick towel and gently, but firmly, squeeze out as much water as you can.
- Air Dry: The best method is to air dry your plushie by hanging it up. You can use pant hangers with clips and hang them on a clothesline or shower rod.
- Gentle Machine Dry: If you absolutely must use a dryer, use a shoe rack or drying shelf inside the machine. This will keep your plushie from tumbling and pulling, which can damage its stuffing and fur. If you don’t have a drying rack or shelf inside the dryer, put the plushie in a thick zippered pillowcase instead. Be sure to use only the low-heat or air-dry setting.
Following these steps will help keep your plushie clean and ready for many more adventures!
Sometimes plushies get a little worse for wear from their adventures. Fear not! With a wave of my magic needle and a whisper of stuffing enchantment, I can restore your plushie to its former glory.