How to wash stuffed animals? (washer, heat, color, cleaner)

[Swan Dive]

I have a nuch of old stuffed animals from the 80's and beyond what is the best way to wash them ? I don't want to put them in washing machine . if I were to hand wash then what kind of detergent is best?


any suggestions on how to do this

thanks

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by Swan Dive

I have a nuch of old stuffed animals from the 80's and beyond what is the best way to wash them ? I don't want to put them in washing machine . if I were to hand wash then what kind of detergent is best?


any suggestions on how to do this

thanks

Tie them into pillow cases and wash them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Just put each one into a pillow case, tie it shut (securely) and wash. They'll come out fine. I find that throwing in a couple of heavy towels helps to keep them pulled down to the bottom where they get cleaned well. You can also buy mesh bags to wash them in but why waste the money when you probably have plenty of pillow cases. You can also tumble them dry on a medium heat setting in the pillow cases.

I would use baby detergent or a fragrance and dye free detergent and make sure you do a second rinse to get all the soap out.

My daugher's favorite stuffed animal (A purple penquin named Bruce) has been through many a trip through the washing machine. Granted, he needs an eye patch these days but he's been around a while. He's held up pretty good for the number of washings he's been through.

[GottaBMe]

Build-A-Bear also makes a spray-on stuffed animal cleaner. Don't think it works as well as the washer machine but if you are afraid to put them in the machine you could try it.

[Swan Dive]

would the dye in them run? do I put them in alone or with each other?

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by Swan Dive

would the dye in them run? do I put them in alone or with each other?

I have never had problems with dye running from stuffed animals. You'd have to look at the material. If it's shiney (definitely synthetic) it should be fine. If it looks like cotton, you might want to be wary and wash them separately not so much because it might lose color but because it might pick up colors.

[Swan Dive]

Originally Posted by Ivorytickler

I have never had problems with dye running from stuffed animals. You'd have to look at the material. If it's shiney (definitely synthetic) it should be fine. If it looks like cotton, you might want to be wary and wash them separately not so much because it might lose color but because it might pick up colors.

so you have done this method before with success ? what brand of detergent did you use?

most of these are cotton it looks like to me

[renovating]

Originally Posted by Swan Dive

I have a nuch of old stuffed animals from the 80's and beyond what is the best way to wash them ? I don't want to put them in washing machine . if I were to hand wash then what kind of detergent is best?


any suggestions on how to do this

thanks

I have a white mesh zippered laundry bag that I put stuffed animals and a treasured shredded blankie in and throw it in the machine with whatever laundry detergent I am using at the time.

I think I picked it up at Bed, Bath and Beyond but you could probably find one at Walmart.

It works great and then I take the stuffed animals out of it for the dryer but leave the blankie in it so that it doesn't fall apart any further.

[no kudzu]

I have successfully machine washed many things including clothes and stuffed animals which say "Surface wash only" or "dry clean only". I haven't ruined anything yet. Mostly that is on the item as a cover your a-- type of warning. Most stuffed animals are made of poly blends and cotton or synthetic stuffing.

Now if you have a Steiff wool stuffed with excelsior you know of course never to try anything like that.

[Swan Dive]

Originally Posted by renovating

I have a white mesh zippered laundry bag that I put stuffed animals and a treasured shredded blankie in and throw it in the machine with whatever laundry detergent I am using at the time.

I think I picked it up at Bed, Bath and Beyond but you could probably find one at Walmart.

It works great and then I take the stuffed animals out of it for the dryer but leave the blankie in it so that it doesn't fall apart any further.

that sounds good I'll check that out, mesh bag

[lisdol]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

I have successfully machine washed many things including clothes and stuffed animals which say "Surface wash only" or "dry clean only". I haven't ruined anything yet. Mostly that is on the item as a cover your a-- type of warning. Most stuffed animals are made of poly blends and cotton or synthetic stuffing.

Now if you have a Steiff wool stuffed with excelsior you know of course never to try anything like that.

Me too. We have a beloved Gund bear that has seen many wash and dry cycles as he has lived through many illnesses.

I also have a number of steiff animals (from the 80s) that would never go near the washer.