Whether your favorite Build-A-Bear desperately needs a spot clean from years of love, or you’ve finally been able to pry your child’s well-loved Bear from his or her hands, here is a step-by-step method for keeping your Build-A-Bear clean. Learn how to freshen up your Bear’s fur and extend its longevity with these tips.
Steps
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Fill a sink with cold water and mix in a mild laundry detergent. Be sure to add the detergent while the water is still running.- The cold water will help preserve your bear’s color. You can also use warm, but never hot, water.
- Do not use any harsh detergents, as they can damage the bear’s fur. Baby detergents work well.
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Place the bear into the soapy water and agitate. Simply swish the bear around in the soap and water mixture until it is completely covered.Advertisement -
Scrub the bear gently with the soapy water using your hands. Take care around the stitches so they don’t come loose.- Hand-washing is the gentlest method for cleaning the bear. Washing too roughly may cause the stuffing to come out of the stitching.
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Remove the bear from the dirty water and rinse. Use cold running water to rinse the suds off of your bear. -
Lay the bear on a clean towel, dabbing it with another towel to get rid of excess moisture. Follow by brushing your bear with a soft brush.- Brushing the bear’s fur right after washing will help prevent any clumping or matting.
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Let the bear air dry. You may need to turn it over periodically to allow both sides to dry.- It is usually best to let a stuffed animal dry on its own outside, as long as it’s a warm and sunny day. [1] X Research source
- Not allowing your bear to dry properly can result in mold or rotting. Make sure the bear is completely dry before boxing it up or letting a child play with it.
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Secure your bear in a delicate clothes mesh bag to protect the stuffed animal. You can also use a pillowcase, which is porous and won’t do any damage to your bear’s fur.- Make sure that the case is tied securely so the bear doesn’t fall out in the wash cycle.
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Wash the bear in a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and cold water.- Treat the bear carefully, as using a rough cycle can cause damages.
- Fur quality and stitching may be compromised if hot water or harsh detergents are used.
- Add distilled white vinegar for the rinse cycle to deodorize and remove any detergent residue.
- Wash on gentle, delicate, or hand-wash setting. Anything else might be too hard on the bear. [2] X Research source
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Remove the bear from the washer and let it air dry. Brush the bear’s fur after removing it from the washer, to prevent clumps or mats.- You may also use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.
- It is not advisable to dry your bear in the dryer.
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Mix a quarter capful of oxygen stain remover into a bowl of warm water. Make sure that the stain remover and water are thoroughly mixed.- This method is best used on bears with a voice box.
- The oxygen stain remover will help get rid of any difficult spots, but a mild detergent will also work.
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Saturate the dirty spot with the mixture. Completely cover the spot with the water and stain remover liquid. -
Rub the mixture into the bear with a clean towel. Wait 5-10 minutes for the mixture to absorb, but don’t let it dry completely.- Use small, circular motions to rub the mixture into the spot.
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Blot the spot with a clean towel. If it is still visible, repeat the first four steps.- You can also use a paper towel for blotting.
- Depending on the nature of each spot and how much the stain has soaked in, you may need to repeat the process.
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Rinse the spot with cold water and blot again with a clean towel. [3] X Research source- You may blot the bear until it is dry, or you can leave it to air dry.
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Tips
- Always remove any batteries inside your Build-A-Bear before washing.Thanks
- If your Build-A-Bear has a voice box, take it to the nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop to have the voice box removed before submerging in water.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- A sink
- Warm or cold water
- Mild laundry detergent
- Oxygen stain remover
- A bowl
- Clean towels
- A soft brush
Warnings
- Make sure to check that your Build-A-Bear don't have a sound chip or scent before washing.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To wash a Build A Bear, start by placing it inside a pillow case and washing it on the gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Once the cycle is finished, brush the bear’s fur to prevent clumps, and let it air dry. Alternatively, spot clean the bear by mixing 1/4 capful of oxygen stain remover into a bowl of warm water. Next, saturate the dirty area with the solution and rub it in with a clean cloth. Finish by rinsing the spot with cold water and blotting it dry with a clean towel. For tips on how to hand wash a Build A Bear, read on!
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"I rescued a Build-A-Bear from the Salvation Army on Tuesday. The article helped me out a lot to make sure I wash my bear the right way. Thank you."
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"It helped me because I have never washed a build-a-bear and this is the best how to wash a build-a-bear. This is very helpful, thank you."
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"Letting me know not to dry the stuffed animal in the the dryer, and that if it doesn't air dry correctly it can create mold helped."
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"Glad you mentioned what to do with a build a bear with a voice box, because most BABs have them."
