A stuffed animal is not just another one of the many toys you used to have fun with when you were little. It is that adventure companion that lived fantastic moments with you, becoming a loyal and unforgettable silent witness. Keeping them in good condition can be quite complicated, because almost nobody knows how to wash them properly, let alone what steps to take to keep their plush skin from crackling like a piece of fried chicken.

There are those who make the crass mistake of putting them in the dryer or submerging them in water abruptly, forgetting the care they deserve. Is this your case? Don’t worry! Taking care of your stuffed animals to keep them as good as new is easier than you think.

Just follow the instructions in this article, where we will teach you how to wash stuffed animals without being obstinate in the attempt or harming the most beloved dolls for each of us.

Do you want to know them? Go ahead!

1.- Remove the 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 contaminants, which are responsible for a lot of diseases and infections with fatal consequences.

Don’t go scrubbing rampantly, because you might tear the fabric of your stuffed animal and leave a rather aesthetically unpleasing hole in it. Treat it as you would like to be treated yourself.

On the other hand, some stuffed animals usually come with an outer lining in the shape of the character and their stuffing comes in a canvas bag. In this case, take it out and shake it vigorously. Under no circumstances 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 as specified on the label. If it is a small one, you can machine wash it in a pillowcase with the rest of the clothes. It is advisable to use the delicate cycle, using a non-invasive detergent and fabric softener to help keep the fibers silky.

If you are going to do it manually because of their large size or simply to avoid turning on the washing machine, do not immerse them in a bucket of hot or cold water, but make sure it is at room temperature. Pour a mixture of baking soda, liquid soap and fabric softener into a plastic or paper bag.

Close it, shake it strongly and let it act during the whole night. Finally, rinse with water at room temperature and you’re done.

3.- Dry it naturally:

The heat generated by this equipment tends to adversely affect 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 drying rack on the side where the breeze blows the most and the sun hits the least.

The latter can stain them unpleasantly and even discolor them, detracting from their physical appearance.

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 you find it difficult to shake them due to physical limitations, use a hand vacuum cleaner and a lint roller. They are not at all invasive and usually work at moderate power.

• Disinfect your stuffed animal beforehand with isopropyl alcohol.

• Make sure there are no rips or tears in the seams. If you get them, repair them before washing your stuffed animals.

• Do not even think of washing old or deteriorated stuffed animals in the washing machine, because they will not be able to withstand the full force of the automated process and will break into pieces and even some remains will be embedded in the tub of the washing machine or will end up in the pump.

There is no doubt that washing stuffed animals is quite simple and even fun, making it a fantastic leisure activity to share with your children while teaching them values such as discipline and effort.

Now you have no excuse to neglect your stuffed animals, because this article explains in detail how to do it during those free times when you have nothing to do to occupy yourself.

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