How to wash stuffed animals?

[Jennygt]

Ds sleeps with his pluto from WDW, I have always just aired it out or a quick run in the dryer, but it needs more than that now, I don't want to destroy it, any tips? Thanks!

 

[PatricenPete]

Ds sleeps with his pluto from WDW, I have always just aired it out or a quick run in the dryer, but it needs more than that now, I don't want to destroy it, any tips? Thanks!

DS has a very "well loved" Elmo that he has had since he was born (he is 4 1/2 now) and we wash it every few months. I wash it by itself on delicate cycle in the washer and then dry it on the gentle cycle in thr dryer. Knock on wood, its done just fine through all its washings.

You also might want to buy a second Pluto and switch them in and out so that this way if you lose one, you still have the back up. We lost my son's Elmo once on a cruise ship for about 2 hours and he was devastated. We were lucky enough that someone turned it into lost and found and we got it back, but it would have been traumatic if it had been gond forever.

My DD has a Care Bear that she is attached too. We have washed that once and it is still in great shape.

 

[StitchFanZ]

Build-a-Bear has some spray cleaner that I've had good luck with. I also second getting a backup pluto!

 

[disneybridetobe]

If you need to use the washing machine, put it in a pillowcase and tie it off with a hair tie or other rubber band. Same with the dryer! Works like a charm.
If Pluto comes out looking a little scraggly, just give him a good fluffing with a hairbrush.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I wash my springer's toys with old towels and her bed cover on regular cycle and put in the dryer. I realize they are a dog's toys, but I haven't noticed where they are made any differently than my nephew's toys that I keep at my house. I wash her toys about every 2 months and she has some that are close to 2 years old and they are still fine. and all the sqeakers work fine. HTH

 

[2disneyboys]

I was DS6's "puppy" (a stuffed patches the dalmation from 101 dalmation) about once a month in the washing machine with towels. He's had it for 3 years and drags it everywhere (ick) and have never had any problems with it. you can always "fluff" it with a brush if needed.

 

[pixiewings71]

Huh, I just put them in the washer, add my detergent and wash away. When that's done I toss them in the dryer. DD9 has had her Bedtime for about 6 or 7 years now, he is getting a bit ragged but she doesn't care. And honestly, she takes him EVERYwhere with her, he's a well traveled bear.

 

[scrapquitler]

I wash ALL the stuffed animals in the washing machine and have never had any problems. Generally, I throw them in a zippered pillowcase cover and throw them in the regular load with the rest of the laundry, then when they are washed, I toss them in the dryer. I've done it with lots of animals that say surface clean only and never had aproblem. The big trick is to make sure that they are completely dry because if they aren't the stuffing can get moldy/mildew smell and get gross.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

I give another vote for the pillowcase during wash & dry - I have done it lots of times - I have also just threw them in with towels and they have been fine.

 

[Lstar311]

I have washed my sons stuffies in the machine on gentle and they have been fine. I hung them up to dry I was afraid to put them in the dryer.

Not to steal the OPs thread but along the same lines has anyone ever washed the musical stuffed animals. I am afraid to wash DS's white fire dog because it has the pull tail that plays a song and I don't want to ruin it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I put DD's in a pillowcase and wash them on delicate. Then toss in the dryer. But none of hers are musical.

 

[Ariel on Land]

just a random bit of related info- you should put it in a plastic bag and freeze them for 24 hours or over night every so often to kill the dust mites and their eggs. Then wash them after that. Helps kids w/ allergies especially, but otherwise, it's just gross to have the bugs in your kiddo's lovies!

 

[waltskids]

Our DS has an Eeyore and we cannot find a replacement anywhere! We wash it inside of a pillowcase and then let it air dry or put it into the dryer for a few minutes. Hopefully Eeyore will last a few more years

 

[SmallWorld71]

DD6 has a little lovie bunny that she has carried everywhere since she was an infant. I put it in a lingerie/ nylons washing bag which protects it very well.

Also, FWIW, when we moved this past Nov. we were able to take the kids' extra stuffed animals out of storage because we now had the space for them. They smelled gross though so I washed them, on a regular cycle. While the vast majority of them survived, a couple didn't. If it is a very special stuffed animal, I would definitely not take the chance that it could be the one that would fall apart. I would put it inside something before sticking it in the wash.

 

[PatricenPete]

Just wanted to add, the key to having a replacement "lovie" is to consistently switch them out. This way both "lovies" are being used and have the same amount of wear and tear. We bought DS a replacement Elmo, but gave it to him when it was too late. He already knew his old Elmo and never took to the 2nd Elmo as a replacement. Of course now he sleeps with BOTH Elmos, so we are really screwed if he loses them...

 

[Jennygt]

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[DISNEYNV]

just a random bit of related info- you should put it in a plastic bag and freeze them for 24 hours or over night every so often to kill the dust mites and their eggs. Then wash them after that. Helps kids w/ allergies especially, but otherwise, it's just gross to have the bugs in your kiddo's lovies!

That is good to know..but sooooooo gross!