For those of us that have kids, many of us own a collection of what used to be beautiful fluffy stuffed toys. When they get beyond the beautiful, cuddly stage you can use a great laundromat facility to restore them closer to their original state.
Stuffed Toys Inspection
Put forth a little extra caution here, especially if the stuffed toy happens to be the one that your child favors the most, or sleeps with at night. For this very reason, though, it’s important to get it clean so they’re not bringing dirt and grime from outside into bed with them.
First, inspect the stuffed toy. Start by checking to see if there are any tiny rips or tears. These could really open up in the washer and dryer and destroy the toy altogether, so it’s important to do this ahead of time.
Check for Delicate Attachments
Next, check for any internal components. At one time perhaps the stuffed toy sang, talked, or made noises. Even if it no longer performs these sounds, you don’t want to be machine washing it. If it is still working, the water will surely ruin it. Either way, only machine wash the item if it doesn’t have any internal components, or if you can take them out and put them back in afterwards.
Take a close look at the embellishments, like the eyes, nose, clothing, and so on. Make sure they are not loose, as they may come off in the washer or dryer. If they are loose, try to attach them more firmly. Or, if you can’t reattach them, it’s best to just remove them if possible. This way, you can work on the item after it has been cleaned.
How to Properly Wash Stuffed Toys
Always, check for a tag and follow the wash instructions. If no tag exists, use these best practices. If the stuffed toys are really grungy, you may be tempted to use a long wash, hot water, and bleach. Avoid all of this, as these can all do more harm than good. If you put it in for a long wash, it can be too harsh on the item. Hot water could cause the colors to run. Bleach could fade the bright colors on the stuffed toys, which is not going to be appealing to its little owner. Pre-treat any stains, then use a cool wash, gentle detergent and a delicate cycle.
When it comes to drying, don’t rush it. If drying in a dryer, be sure to dry the items on low heat, but hang dry if possible. You may want to put a tennis or dryer ball in with the toys to keep their stuffing from balling up. Once you take them out of the dryer, and while they are still warm, give them a good shape and work the stuffing around to its proper places. Now they’ll be as clean and cuddly as ever!
