How To Clean Stuffed Plush Animals

Do you have a stuffed animal and are wonderingare 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 aroundasafety pin or two. Then wash as you would any
andgreat for kids, but sometimes even they need adelicateitem.
bath.Fabric softener can be added to bring out a fluffyand
With the proper care, your stuffed animal cansofter stuffed animal.
provideyou and your children with many years of joyBleeding 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 cleananimal 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 fakeanimalsclothes. If this is a possibility, then remove
fur,usually synthetic materials (polyester, acrylic orclothingfrom 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 thesponge.
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 withstainedareas along with the all purpose cleaner.
synthetic fiber* Use rubbing alcohol to remove spots or stains
(usually polyester fiber) or plastic beads can be putinfromplastic parts.
a washing machine.* An upholstery cleaner can be used for stuffed
* If the animal is stuffed very firmly and you put itanimalsthat 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 hardboardoroutside if the temperature is below freezing. The
stiffenersor joints, these can be destroyed in anextday use the vacuum cleaner to go over the
washing machine.animal.
* If the stuffed animal has a sound box: Do Not putDying 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 drymachine,or it has gotten very wet....it is Not
bathon occasion with baking soda. Just sprinkle therecommended touse a clothes dryer.
bakingsoda on the stuffed animal and let it sit forHair dryers can be used for quick surface drying
aboutbeingcareful 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 aair dry.
weekuse your vacuum cleaner. Most home vacuumWhile this may take several days to dry the stuffing,
cleaners havea hose and brush attachment. Just goit isthe safest method.
lightly over thestuffed animal with the brush. MakeIf liquid is spilled on the stuffed animal, then shakeas
sure that itemslike eyes on the stuffed animal aremuch 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 yourdrysponge or paper towels to dab off the remaining
washing machine,however this should be used as aliquid.
last resort. Before doingthis, make sure that there