How to Clean a Teddy Bear

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Does your teddy bear have a dirty spot? Have several of them been smudged? Or do they need a thorough cleaning all over? Whether you need a quick fix or something more intense, there are several ways to clean your favorite toy!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Giving Your Bear a Bath

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  1. First, remove any of the bear’s clothing that can be washed separately so you can clean the bear itself thoroughly. Then mix a dash of soap with warm water in a sink or large bowl. Submerge the bear. [1]
    • To prevent the bear from becoming overly logged with water, only submerge the first part (head, limbs, back side, front side, etc) that you intend to clean.
    • Use a high-efficiency (HE) dish or laundry detergent that produces few suds in order to make rinsing easier. [2]
  2. Use your fingers to softly knead and massage any dirt, grime, or stains that come off easily. [3] For tougher spots, use a sponge, [4] face flannel, or towel. Gently rub the dirty areas until the dirt dislodges. For particularly tough spots, be sure to go soft and easy, regardless of the time it takes, to avoid pulling the fur out by its roots.
    • Make sure to clean behind its ears, along its neck, and any other areas where seams create crevices and extra dirt might collect.
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  3. Empty the sink or bowl of soapy warm. Fill it again with only water. Submerge the bear again. Gently massage it to release soapy residue. [5] Drain the sink or bowl and repeat as needed until all soap has been removed.
    • Again, to keep the bear from becoming excessively waterlogged, only rinse off one part at a time before submerging the next.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Spot-Cleaning Your Bear

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  1. First, dampen a cloth. Then gently apply the wet cloth to the bear. Moisten and rub the dirty area to loosen dirt without soaking the bear any more than needed. [6]
    • Don’t worry if you end up using “too much” water. All this means is that you will have to wait a little bit longer for your bear to dry before it is ready to play with again.
    EXPERT TIP

    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

    Spot-cleaning is a good approach if the teddy bear has a battery compartment. For stuffed animals with batteries, spot clean the surface with soapy water and a microfiber cloth. Then, remove the soap residue with a warm, damp microfiber cloth. If the stuffed animal has no batteries, let the toy air dry or tumble dry it on low.

  2. Add a dab of dish soap or laundry detergent to a clean portion of the cloth. Only use a small dab of detergent at a time. Avoid creating an excess of suds, which will be harder to rinse out thoroughly, thus making the fur crunchy as it dries. [7]
    • If you have several spots or bears to clean, or expect to have to clean toys often, mix either 1 teaspoon of dish soap for every 1 cup of water in a spray bottle, [8] or mix a drop of liquid laundry detergent for every 1 cup of water. Spray the solution directly on the dirty spot.
    • If there is one, check the bear’s care label to see if it recommends or warns against any particular chemical.
  3. Gently rub the dirty area with that portion of the cloth until the dirt has been removed. Handle the bear gently as you do so to avoid damage. Apply another dab of detergent and repeat as needed. [9]
    • Only rub the dirty area. Avoid spreading soap and suds so that you don't miss any when it is time to rinse them off.
  4. Find a fresh, clean towel. Dampen it with water. Gently wipe the bear’s washed areas to remove soap and suds so that the fur doesn't become crunchy as it dries. [10]
    • This time, be sure to only slightly dampen the towel as opposed to soaking it, which may create or spread more suds while wiping the bear, and thus defeat the purpose.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Machine-Washing Your Bear

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  1. Inspect the age and quality of your bear. Also check the materials from which it is made, as well as those that adorn it. Since a machine-wash will be much rougher on the toy than a hand-wash, err on the side of caution and hand-wash it if you determine that your bear might not survive the machine. Do not machine-wash the following:
    • Old teddy bears, those that are delicate by design, and those that have become fragile due to lots of use.
    • Bears that are made of wool, mohair, alpaca fur, or rayon.
    • Any with attached add-ons like sequins, buttons, or eyes that have been glued on.
  2. If your bear has any clothes than can be removed, take them off to prevent tangling and to make sure that the bear itself is washed thoroughly. Trim any loose threads and sew up any tears or holes so the problem doesn’t grow any worse during the wash. [11] Give your bear extra protection by closing it within a sealable pillowcase or mesh bag.
  3. First, add an appropriate amount of detergent to your washer. Then set the machine’s cycle to “Hand-Wash” or “Delicate.” Finally, select cold or warm water. Then start the wash cycle.
    • Do not use hot water, since this may ruin the bear.
    • Do not include items that are excessively dirty or whose colors may bleed in the same wash cycle as your bear.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Drying Your Teddy Bear

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  1. Once you finish washing your bear, get rid of as much water as you can without handling the bear too harshly, so that it dries quicker and more thoroughly. Squeeze water from its limbs, torsos, and head, but be careful to keep their original shape. Do not wring or twist them as you would with a bath towel. Then use a towel to softly pat any remaining moisture from their fur. [12]
  2. For best results, let your toy dry on its own. Either set it on top of a drying rack, away from direct sunlight, and let it sit overnight, or set it in a drying bag and hang that from a laundry line, as long as the laundry line is shaded. [13] Do not hang the bear itself from any laundry line or rack, since this may damage it. [14]
    • Setting up a fan to blow directly on the bear will help it to dry out quicker. [15]
  3. For quicker results, use a laundry dryer or hair dryer to speed things up. However, there is considerable risk in ruining your bear this way, so be extra careful. If you use a laundry dryer, stick with the air cycle. Check the bear every few minutes to make sure no damage has occurred. If you use a hair dryer, be mindful of the heat. [16] Set it to its coolest setting and hold the dryer at least a foot away from the bear as you dry it.
    • If your bear was too delicate for a machine-wash, consider it to be too delicate for a machine-dry, as well.
  4. Once the bear has dried out, use a clean comb or brush to freshen up its fur. Judge the feel of it as you do so. Although the fur’s quality won’t ever be the same once you start washing it, be on the lookout for any areas that feel crunchy. This may be a sign of soap that wasn’t rinsed out, so if your bear feels crunchy all over, either rinse it out and dry it all over again, or be sure to use less soap in the future. [17]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I put teddy bear in the washing machine?
    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 teddy bear inside a mesh bag and toss it in the washer. Use 1 tbsp of laundry detergent and distilled white vinegar for the rinse cycle to deodorize the toy and remove any detergent residue. Then, let it air dry or tumble dry it on low heat.
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  • Question
    Once the teddy bear is washed, can I put in a dryer on low heat?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. I would recommend putting the bear in a laundry bag though for protection.
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  • Question
    How long does it take to dry your teddy bear after bathing it?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how wet the teddy was. If it was super wet, maybe a few days to two weeks. If it was only a little wet, maybe just five minutes to one day.
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      Tips

      • If there is one, always refer to your bear’s care label to find out what is and isn’t recommended. [18]
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      • Toothbrushes can also be used for very tough stains, but since these can be quite rough, use them only if nothing else works. [19]
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      • Use white- or light-colored towels, sponges, etc. to avoid the risk of bleeding colors. [20]
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      Warnings

      • If your bear is battery-operated, only use spot-cleaning techniques. Do not submerge your bear in water.
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      Video

      Things You'll Need

      Method 1

      • Moist cloth
      • Water
      • Dish or laundry detergent
      • Clean towel
      • Spray bottle (optional)

      Method 2

      • Sink or bowl
      • Water
      • Dish or laundry detergent
      • Sponge, face flannel, or towel

      Method 3

      • Laundry machine
      • Laundry detergent
      • Sealable pillowcase or mesh bag
      • Scissors, needle, and thread (if needed)

      Method 4

      • Clean towel
      • Drying rack or drying bag plus laundry line
      • Fan (optional)
      • Laundry or hair dryer (optional)
      • Brush or comb


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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      2. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      4. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-an-Old-Teddy-Bear-/10000000178726100/g.html
      5. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-an-Old-Teddy-Bear-/10000000178726100/g.html
      6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      7. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      8. ↑ http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/homemade-laundry-stain-removers.html#sthash.anLbkLfS.dpbs
      9. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      3. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-an-Old-Teddy-Bear-/10000000178726100/g.html
      4. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-an-Old-Teddy-Bear-/10000000178726100/g.html
      5. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      6. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/
      7. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/
      8. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/
      9. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry-washing/how-to-clean-a-teddy-bear
      10. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/
      11. ↑ http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/washing-stuffed-animals/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Teddy bears can get dirty pretty quickly, but luckily they’re easy to clean with a few household items. If you just need to spot clean your teddy, first, wet the area with a damp cloth. Then, add a dab of dish soap or laundry detergent to the cloth and gently rub the dirty area. Use a clean, damp towel to remove any leftover suds. If you need to wash the whole bear, soak it in a large bowl filled with warm water and a dash of soap. Gently massage the bear’s fur with your fingers to remove dirt. Then, soak the bear in clean, warm water and set it out to air dry. To learn how to wash your teddy bear in a washing machine, read more from our Cleaning co-author!

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        Nov 19, 2018

        "I have a 40-year-old stuffed animal that has had dryer damage and the fur is very clumpy. I used a wire brush, and ..." more
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