Most kids, and even some adults, have a special stuffed animal they love. So it’s a little stressful when your stuffed animals need washing, because it isn’t always clear how to do it safely. Today I have instructions to help you wash stuffed animals in the washer without destroying them. It won’t be long before those stained and/or dingy stuffed animals look {and smell} much better!
How To Wash Stuffed Animals In The Washer
With a few exceptions, many of the stuffed animals we buy today are safe for the washing machine. An exception might be one that has extra embellishments or small parts, and you may want to hand wash those, or others that are vintage or have extra special meaning. Here are the steps to follow for machine washing animals:
- Be sure to select the gentlest cycle option available on your particular washing machine. It may be labeled “gentle” or “delicate”.
- Always use a mild detergent! Dreft or another detergent intended for baby’s clothing is a great choice.
- Select a cold water wash when washing stuffed animals.
- If you want to sanitize stuffed animals in the wash {necessary if your child has been sick}, you can use warm water. Don’t add bleach, because it is harmful to the plush fabrics. Instead, opt for a laundry sanitizer that does not contain bleach.
- Place the stuffed animals to be washed inside a mesh laundry bag. The mesh bag helps protect added embellishments such as plastic eyes or fabric and ribbon bows during the wash. Another good idea is to include a few soft hand towels or sweatshirts in the wash with the stuffed animals to provide extra cushioning.
- Choose the shortest cycle possible. If the stuffed animals aren’t completely clean after one wash, you can run them through again, but for lightly soiled items a short wash should be sufficient.
Once the wash cycle completes, remove your stuffed animals from the mesh laundry bag and hang them to air dry. If it’s a nice day outside, the sun will help them dry more quickly and leave a fresh scent behind. When the stuffed animals are just barely damp, use a hair dryer on low to revive the plush fibers. You can also toss them in the dryer on either low heat or an air-only short cycle.
