washing 'special' stuffed animals-how?

[shortbun]

Ok, DS has some bites and some ivy poisoning, I think.
Who knows where they came from but our cat sleeps on
his bed with his favorite stuffed animal-Pandy. I've never
washed this stuffed friend as he is so important, I'm scared
to do irreversable damage.
I need to really wash this now and NEED suggestions or
the "right" way to do it.
Thanks.
mimi

 

[kimbac3]

I have been washing my DD's "Teddy" for 12 years now. Also any stuffed animal that my dog decideds to make slobberey(is that a word?). Some time I but them in a pillow case and tie it and just through them in the wash. I rarely put them in the dryer,although if it's late and we need DD6 "Pink Teddy" for bed I do. After repeated washing I find their fluff a little lacking. As a matter of fact DD12's "Teddy" had to have surgery to add more fluff (We should all be that needy ). But like I said he's been washed repeatedly for 12 years.
Good Luck!
Kimba

PS I collect Panda bears and over the years my kids have gotten them in messy situations and they washed fine.

 

[AngieBelle]

Don't put anything really furry in the dryer! I had lice in 4th grade, and my mom washed the plush kitty I had gotten for my birthday the month before. She came out of the dryer looking like a cottonball! I was so upset.

 

[lisajl]

I second the pillowcase suggestion. It saved my DD teddy several times. Then we got a dog and it chewed off the teddys nose. She has had this teddy since she was 4, so we found a hospital for him and had him fixed up. Cost more to fix him than we bought him! Well worth it though. She is 18 and teddy still stays on her bed. She said when she gets married, Sterling, (the teddy) gets a tux and will be sitting with me.

Oh boy!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know Natalie has her stuffed 'Teddy' (simple name it is) that I bought at a gocery store when she was about 5. She is almost 24, always with her, even traveling. Been washed MANY timees, I think Marie just puts in washer, gentle cycle, maybe delicates. Does not look worse for wear at all. Amazing.

And a few sites with some thoughts

 

[BrerLizzie]

definetly go with the pillow case, on a gentle cycle.... i forgot the pillow my animal came out all smashed i think i had the cycle on high too though.. and dont put it in the dryer unless it has really short hair or else it wont be as soft when it comes out.. if you have to dry it, sometimes using a comb after it comes out will help the hair not be all clumped together...

 

[Tuffcookie]

I handwash all delicates and I have a rack that fits inside my dryer for tennis shoes. I put the stuffed animals on that to dry them. I have a stuffed tiger from my childhood, which I was really wanting to refurbish so after I did the above steps, I opened up a seam, took the old stuffing out and refilled with new stuffing. It looked so much better after that!

TC