| Do you have a stuffed animal and are wondering | | | | are no loose seamswhere the stuffing can float out. |
| how tokeep it clean? | | | | Put the stuffed animal in a pillowcase and close with |
| Stuffed animals are a lot of fun to have around | | | | asafety pin or two. Then wash as you would any |
| andgreat for kids, but sometimes even they need a | | | | delicateitem. |
| bath. | | | | Fabric softener can be added to bring out a fluffyand |
| With the proper care, your stuffed animal can | | | | softer stuffed animal. |
| provideyou and your children with many years of joy | | | | Bleeding can occur from other clothes in the |
| and happiness. | | | | washingmachine, so be careful what you wash the |
| Here's some tips and pointers on how you can clean | | | | animal with. |
| yourstuffed animals and keep them in great shape. | | | | Bleeding can also happen from the fur onto the |
| Most stuffed animals have an outer covering of fake | | | | animalsclothes. If this is a possibility, then remove |
| fur,usually synthetic materials (polyester, acrylic or | | | | clothingfrom the animal before washing. |
| modacrylic)or natural materials (wool, wool/cotton, | | | | * If the stuffed animal is not badly soiled, you |
| mohair, or alpaca). | | | | canclean it using a mild, all purpose cleaner and |
| And, most stuffed animals come from the | | | | sponge. |
| manufacturer withinstructions on how to clean them, | | | | Spray the cleaner on the area to be cleaned and |
| follow those first. | | | | spongeoff. |
| * Toys stuffed with styrene foam, foam beads or | | | | * Use a soft scrub brush for badly soiled or |
| excelsiormust Not be washed. Things stuffed with | | | | stainedareas along with the all purpose cleaner. |
| synthetic fiber | | | | * Use rubbing alcohol to remove spots or stains |
| (usually polyester fiber) or plastic beads can be putin | | | | fromplastic parts. |
| a washing machine. | | | | * An upholstery cleaner can be used for stuffed |
| * If the animal is stuffed very firmly and you put it | | | | animalsthat cannot be put in a washing machine. |
| ina washing machine, it may never dry out, or the | | | | * To get mats out, use an old hairbrush. |
| stuffingmay shift and cause the stuffed animal to | | | | * To remove dust mites put the stuffed animal in |
| lose it's shape. | | | | aplastic bag and then place in the freezer overnight, |
| * If the stuffed animal has cardboard or hardboard | | | | oroutside if the temperature is below freezing. The |
| stiffenersor joints, these can be destroyed in a | | | | nextday use the vacuum cleaner to go over the |
| washing machine. | | | | animal. |
| * If the stuffed animal has a sound box: Do Not put | | | | Dying a Stuffed Animal |
| itin a washer or dryer. | | | | If you have put your stuffed animal in a washing |
| * To keep your stuffed animal fresh, give it a dry | | | | machine,or it has gotten very wet....it is Not |
| bathon occasion with baking soda. Just sprinkle the | | | | recommended touse a clothes dryer. |
| bakingsoda on the stuffed animal and let it sit for | | | | Hair dryers can be used for quick surface drying |
| about | | | | beingcareful not to get too close to the surface. |
| 15 minutes. Then simply brush it off. | | | | However the best thing is to let the stuffed animal |
| * To keep dust off your stuffed animal, once a | | | | air dry. |
| weekuse your vacuum cleaner. Most home vacuum | | | | While this may take several days to dry the stuffing, |
| cleaners havea hose and brush attachment. Just go | | | | it isthe safest method. |
| lightly over thestuffed animal with the brush. Make | | | | If liquid is spilled on the stuffed animal, then shakeas |
| sure that itemslike eyes on the stuffed animal are | | | | much liquid off as possible, just like a real dogthat |
| secure beforedoing this. | | | | gets wet shakes off the water. Then use a |
| * You can wash most stuffed animals in your | | | | drysponge or paper towels to dab off the remaining |
| washing machine,however this should be used as a | | | | liquid. |
| last resort. Before doingthis, make sure that there | | | | |