How to Clean a Stuffed Animal

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Stuffed animals are popular with kids of all ages, so it is important to know how to properly clean them. Make sure to always read the label so it won't get ruined or fall apart. Use soaps that are safe for both the material and your health. Always make sure both the inside and outside are dry to prevent mildew.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine

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  1. Read the label of the animal to ensure that you are able to wash it in your machine. You won’t be able to machine a stuffed animal if:
    • Your stuffed animal comes with a music box inside.
    • It’s very old, fur or limbs are falling apart, or it’s fragile to hold.
    • There are items that have been glued on like plastic eyes, legs, arms, ears, or sequins.
    • The animal is wearing delicate clothing that is sewn permanently on and can’t be removed like a glittery dress or an easily broken crown.
    • The animal is stuffed with small foam balls instead of batting.
  2. Do you need to remove any parts? Are there any loose strings that need to be taken care of? Make sure that you don’t cause any damage to the animal or your machine. [1]
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  3. Stuffed animals are best washed in a machine that does not have an agitator. Machines with an agitator tend to ball up the animal because the agitator displaces the batting. [2]
    • Instead of using a top loading machine, you could take a large load of laundry to a laundromat and wash your stuffed animal with that load.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    [3] A mesh laundry bag can be purchased at your local dollar store, fabric store, or laundromat. It gives added protection from snagging and jostling by your machine. [4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Even a normal cycle may be too vigorous for your stuffed animal so always wash in gentle or delicate to be safe. [5] Use warm or cool water. Avoid using hot water because it may dissolve any glue causing pieces to fall off. [6]
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Video: Cleaning a Stuffed Animal Using a Washing Machine


Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Washing by Hand

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  1. Your stuffed animal may say hand wash only or wash on delicate cycle. Your toy may be too fragile for delicate so hand washing may be the best way to give it a thorough clean without damaging it. [7]
    • Don’t just spot clean in case the stain has penetrated beneath the surface. If a stain gets into the stuffing, germs and odors can linger. For example, if a child is potty training and urinates on the toy, the insides may be soaked despite rinsing any visual signs of the stain away.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Use a plug so your sink fills with water or use a large container, like a bucket or basin, and fill it with cold water and delicate soap. Make sure you read whether the soap is best suited for the material of your stuffed animal. Strong soaps may discolour or damage your animal. [8]
    • Don’t use too much soap or it may be difficult to rinse off.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Fully immerse your animal so that the soap water mixture gets into the innards and fights the stain thoroughly. Gently clean the animal as it is immersed. Use your hands to gently rub the material and get out any debris or stains. [9]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Thoroughly rinse out all the soap. Get as much water out as possible. Don’t shake or twist the animal. Press it between old towels as you squeeze the water out. [10]
    • You may gently ring out your animal depending on its condition. Older animals may easily fall apart if mishandled.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Re-fluff and reshape your animal. Allow it to sit and dry. [11] Don’t place it directly near heat or sunlight or it might become discolored or misshaped. [12]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    [13] If there’s only a little dirt on the surface or your tag says, “surface clean only”, use a gentle cleanser. You may use upholstery shampoo that creates foam to remove the stain. Read the ingredients to make sure there aren’t any harsh chemicals that could be harmful to a child. [14]
    • Your child may place the toy in her mouth so be sure that any cleaning agent is safe. There are numerous cleaners that are marketed specifically for cleaning stuffed animals. Find a cleaner that’s safe and works for you. You may also use unscented baby detergent with a damp cloth to spot clean.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    If your animal is averaged size, place it in a large garbage bag with ½ cup baking soda. You may add more baking soda if it is quite large. Close the bag firmly and give it a good shake. Keep the bag closed and let the animal sit for 15 - 20 minutes. Open the bag and brush off the excess baking soda. [15]
    • You may use a vacuum if you feel your animal will not get damaged. Do not shake the bag too vigorously if you feel your animal will come apart.
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Video: Cleaning a Stuffed Animal by Handwashing


Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Drying Your Stuffed Animal

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  1. The wetter your toy, the longer it will take to dry. Make sure all the excess water is gone before drying your animal on a clothesline. On a sunny day, use clothespins to hang your toy and set it to dry.
    • The sun is a natural stain remover and sanitizer. Spot cleaning doesn’t require a lot of water, so you probably won’t need to hang out an animal that has been spot cleaned.
  2. [16] Let your stuffed animal air dry if the weather isn’t cooperating. Simply let it sit in a protected area, away from pets and children. [17]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    If your label indicates that you are able to use a dryer, place your animal in a dryer on low heat or permanent press. You may also use a hair dryer on a low setting or on cool. [18]
    • While heat dries the animal quickly, it can also damage the animal or mat the fur. If your dryer has a fluff air setting, use this to help maintain the fur.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    Add towels into your load to soften the movements of your animal. Also use dryer sheets to eliminate static electricity buildup so your little one doesn’t get shocked when first holding it.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    The inside takes longer than the outside to dry. Make sure the inside is dry or else mildew may grow, which can be hazardous to a child’s health. Use a dryer or hair dryer for a short period to hasten the process. [19]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Stuffed Animal
    The stuffing may have jostled during the drying process so reshape your animal and fluff the fur so that it looks like the original version.
    7. Advertisement

Video: Cleaning a Stuffed Animal and Drying It Properly


Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you clean a stuffed animal that has batteries?
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line.
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Expert Answer
    If the stuffed animal has batteries, spot clean the surface with soapy water and a microfiber cloth. Then, remove the soap residue with a damp microfiber cloth using only warm water. After that, let it air dry or tumble dry on low.
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  • Question
    How do you clean a stuffed animal without ruining it?
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line.
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Expert Answer
    Place your stuffed animals inside a delicate clothes mesh bag and toss them in the washer. Use 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent and distilled white vinegar for the rinse cycle to deodorize and remove any detergent residue. Then, let them air dry or tumble dry on low.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Can I put it in the dryer?
    Community Answer
    You could, but it may ruin the fabric or material it is made from.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals/
      2. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals/
      3. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      4. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals/
      5. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      6. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals/
      7. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      8. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      9. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      2. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      4. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      6. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      7. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      8. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      9. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-stuffed-animals-199116
      10. ↑ https://www.metrokids.com/a-spore-to-abhor/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To freshen up your stuffed animal, put it in a garbage bag with a ½ cup of baking soda. Give the bag a good shake and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before brushing off the excess baking soda. If your stuffed animal needs a more thorough cleaning and you've checked the label to be sure it's okay, run it through your washing machine. Put your stuffed animal in a mesh laundry bag to protect it, and use your machine's gentle or delicate setting. For information on how to clean your stuffed animal by hand and dry it safely, scroll down!

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        Mar 9, 2019

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