Cleaning Stuffed Animals and Cloth Dolls
It's inevitable that stuffed animals and dolls become dirty and even smelly, and the more loved the toy, the faster it will get grungy. Throwing out your child's beloved teddy bear, stuffed bunny, or other dear friend is unthinkable. Sending it to the dry cleaners on a regular basis is just not practical. So what do you do?
If the stuffed toy has a tag which gives detailed washing instructions, then you're laughing - simply follow the instructions. If there are none, then here are a few alternatives for cleaning stuffed animals and cloth dolls. Use some common sense, and the following tips may help.
Machine Washing & Drying
If you can be sure that both the stuffing and the cover are made of artificial (as opposed to organic) materials, then you are probably safe using your washer and dryer. Examples of organic materials would be wool covering and natural fibre stuffing, and these should never be cleaned with water. Pre-treat any seriously grungy spots or stains using a pre-wash spray or a little dishwashing liquid. Place the stuffed animal inside a pillow case and tie it closed with a piece of string. Machine wash using mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle cycle. Tumble dry using a very low or "air" setting on the dryer. If the stuffed animal has a plush or fur covering, you can put a clean running shoe or a few new tennis balls in the dryer with it. They will bump against the toy as it dries, and this can help avoid matting or clumping of the stuffing or plush covering. Examples of toys that can be cleaned this way are Fisher Price stuffed toys and Neopets stuffed toys.
Hand Washing, Air Drying
If you are worried about damage to the stuffed animal or doll from the churning and tumbling of machine laundering, then you can gently hand wash it the way you would a fine wool garment. Use a mild soap or detergent such as Woolite in cold water, immerse the toy, and gently squeeze the suds through it. Allow it to soak for a few minutes, then gently squeeze it a few more times. Avoid wringing it. Rinse it very well by gently squeezing it through several changes of cool water until no more suds appear. Roll it up in a heavy towel and gently press as much water as possible out of it so it's no longer dripping wet. Lay it flat on a clean towel and allow it to air dry, or dry it in the sun if possible. When it's thoroughly dry, you can use a toothbrush or fine hairbrush to fluff up any nap or fur.
Toys and dolls that are very firmly stuffed really should not be completely soaked, as the stuffing may never dry out completely and can become moldy. Toys that have cardboard or metal stiffeners inside to shape the stuffing should also not be completely wetted. You can use a mild detergent or upholstery cleaner on a damp cloth to gently clean the plush surface, and fresh damp cloths well wrung out in plain water to wipe and sponge away any residue of cleaning solution. Air dry the toy thoroughly, and use a soft brush to fluff up the nap if necessary. Many of the higher priced stuffed toys such as those made by Gund, Steiff or Russ should be cleaned this way, or by the dry shampooing method.
Dry Shampooing
Some stuffed animals and dolls can simply not be cleaned with water because of organic materials in the construction or fragility due to age. Giant and jumbo stuffed animals can be a problem because they're simply too big to put in a washing machine. In these cases, you can sprinkle or dust the toy with baking soda, working it gently into the fur with your fingers. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then use a toothbrush or fine hairbrush to carefully brush it out. You may need to repeat this exercise several times. To finish, you can gently wipe the fur with a damp cloth to remove any residue of powder that might be dulling it.
Helpful Hints
~ If washing a doll with long hair, or a stuffed animal with a long mane or tail, cover the area with the long hair with a section of nylon stocking to keep it from becoming hopelessly tangled.
~ When you're dealing with a washable "skin" and non-washable stuffing, you can open a seam a couple of inches and remove all the stuffing. Then wash the skin, dry it thoroughly, and replace the stuffing.
~ Be sure to open a seam and remove any sound box or other mechanical device before laundering.
~ Check over stuffed animals or cloth dolls thoroughly for loose seams, frayed or thinning spots, and loose buttons, eyes, or plastic parts. Make repairs before cleaning.
~ Before cleaning, seal the stuffed toy in a plastic bag and place in the freezer for 24 - 48 hours. This will kill any bugs, and most bacteria, that may be on the toy or in the stuffing.
~ Giant and jumbo stuffed animals can be washed in a child's wading pool outdoors. Rope the kids into helping, and use an environmentally friendly cleaner such as Simple Green in a pump spray bottle. (Try not to get the toy completely soaked, or it may not dry thoroughly inside.) Pick a time when there will be a few warm sunny days in a row. After the toy is cleaned and well rinsed with fresh water (spray bottles can be handy for rinsing too), blot as much water from the surface as possible with clean towels, then perch it on plastic chairs or a slatted table in the sun to drip dry.
