A stuffed animal is not another of the many toys that you used to have fun with when you were little. It is about that adventure companion who lived fantastic moments with you, becoming a loyal and unforgettable silent witness. Keeping it in good condition can be quite difficult, since almost no one knows how to properly wash them, much less what are the steps so that their plush fur does not twitch like a piece of fried chicken.
There are those who make the big mistake of putting it in the dryer or abruptly submerging it in water, forgetting the care it deserves. Is it your case? Don’t worry! Taking care of your stuffed animals to keep them looking like new is easier than you might imagine.
You just have to follow the instructions in this article, where we will teach you how to wash stuffed animals without stubbornly trying or hurting the dolls most loved by each of us.
Do you want to meet them? Forward!
1.- Remove dust without stress:
Take a fine bristle brush and go over the surface of the stuffed animal carefully, removing all the accumulated dust and other existing residues. Remember that they are exposed to external polluting agents, which are responsible for a lot of diseases and infections with fatal consequences.
Do not go scrubbing wildly, because you could tear the fabric of your stuffed animal and leave a hole in it that is quite unpleasant in aesthetic terms. Treat him as you would like to be treated.
On the other hand, some stuffed animals usually have an external lining in the shape of the character and their filling comes in a canvas bag. In this case, take it out and shake it vigorously. Under no circumstances should you pour water into the stuffing bag, let alone wash it with soap, because you will end up deforming its original appearance after squeezing it to remove everything that is usually retained there and can cause bad odors.
Now, the outer cover can be washed by hand or put in the washing machine without any problem.
2.- Wash it with love:
Stuffed animals should be washed according to what is specified on the label. If it is a small, you can machine wash it inside a pillowcase with the rest of the clothes. It is advisable to use the washing cycle for delicate garments, accompanying it with a non-invasive detergent and softener that helps keep the fibers silky.
If you are going to do it manually because it is large or simply to avoid turning on the washing machine, do not immerse them in a bucket with hot or cold water, but rather make sure it is at room temperature. Pour a mixture made up of baking soda, liquid soap and fabric softener and put it in a plastic or paper bag.
Close it, shake it vigorously and leave it to act overnight. Finally, rinse with water at room temperature and you’re done.
3.- Dry it naturally:
The heat generated by this equipment usually negatively affects the plush or foam rubber with which the stuffed animals are stuffed, reducing their physical dimensions and taking away their original shape. Therefore, place them to dry on the clothesline on the side where the breeze is the most and the sun hits the least.
The latter can unpleasantly stain them and even discolor them, detracting from their aesthetic value.
Recommendations for washing stuffed animals.
- Use gloves during all this work of washing stuffed animals. This way you will avoid being in contact with strong chemicals that can negatively impact your epidermis and deteriorate your hands.
- If it is difficult for you to shake them due to physical limitations, lean on a handheld vacuum cleaner and a lint roller. They are not invasive and usually work at a moderate power.
- Disinfect your stuffed animal previously with isopropyl alcohol.
- Make sure they don’t have rips or tears in their seams. If you get them, repair them before washing your stuffed animals.
- Do not even think about washing old or deteriorated stuffed animals in a machine, because they will not be able to withstand the full force of the automated process and will break into pieces and even certain remains will be embedded in the washing machine tub or will end up in the bomb.
There is no doubt that washing stuffed animals is quite simple and even fun, becoming a fantastic leisure activity to share with your children while teaching them values such as discipline and effort.
Now you have no excuses for neglecting your stuffed animals, because this article explains in detail how to do it during those spare time where you don’t have to do anything to take care of yourself.
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