Washing your kids’ stuffed animals is always a dilemma. On the one hand, if Teddy goes everywhere with your kid, chances are they are a little ripe with some really interesting stains. On the other hand, every parent has heard horror stories where kids throw a tantrum after their stuffed animals are washed, insisting they’re just not the same!
However, kids and toys are like Petri dishes, and stuffed animals are no exception. Your children will carry their animals with them everywhere they go, cuddle them close, even put them in their mouths. So, they really do need to be clean!
Once you think about how dirty your kids’ stuffed animals really are, you’ll definitely want to give them a good cleaning. But stuffed toys, particularly older, plush animals, can be delicate. In order to avoid destroying your dearly beloved animal companions, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
How Often Should You Wash Stuffed Toys?
How often you clean your stuffed animals is a matter of circumstance and choice. You can keep an eye on your kid’s stuffie and give it a wash when it looks dirty, but there are a number of situations where washing is a must, however they look.
Every time your little one gets sick, their stuffed animals should get a cleaning. Otherwise, they can become breeding grounds for flu, gastroenteritis, pinworms, and head lice. If your child suffers from asthma or allergies, you will probably need to wash their toys more regularly to get rid of dust and allergens trapped in the material. And if your kids take their stuffed toys with them to pre-school, then we recommend a weekly wash.
How to Wash Stuffed Animals
Check the Instructions
Most plush companions come with instructions on their label that give you directions about how to wash stuffed animals. Follow the guidelines, and you should be fine.
Wash on Gentle
Stuffed toys do best when washed by hand, but unless they are very delicate, putting them in the washing machine should be fine. Just be sure you use low heat and a gentle spin cycle.
Use a Laundry Bag
A laundry bag, or soft cotton pillowcase, is another great way to protect your delicate plush toys when they are in the washing machine.
Home Remedies
If you are worried about germs, then home remedies can be an excellent way to go. Adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash cycle defeats germs and is a fantastic way to get rid of unpleasant odors too. In fact, there are other benefits of using distilled white vinegar in your laundry as well.
Drying
Don’t be tempted to put your kid’s stuffed animal in the tumble dryer, as they’re unlikely to survive the heat! Air dry your plush toy in a sunny spot to avoid a disaster - and a whole lot of tears - at the last moment.
Dry Clean
Dry cleaning might seem like an expensive overreaction to cleaning stuffed animals, but if the toy is delicate and irreplaceable, then dry cleaning might be the best way forward.
If you’re unsure or apprehensive about cleaning your kids’ stuffed animals, WaveMAX Laundry’s self-serve laundromat provides the perfect solution. Our facility is spotless, our machines are state-of-the-art, and our professional cleaners know their stuff. We’ll make sure that your kids’ stuffed animals come back to you impeccably clean and safe and sound.
