HOW TO WASH STUFFED ANIMALS IN A WASHER OR BY HAND
Cleaning your child’s or pet’s stuffed animals can be done easily in your washing machine or by hand about once a month. Follow the steps below to learn how to thoroughly wash and dry your beloved stuffed animals.
CAN I WASH STUFFED ANIMALS?
You can easily wash most stuffed animals in your washer or by hand. It’s recommended to wash your stuffed animals on a monthly basis depending on usage. While most plush toys are machine washable, it’s also important to consider your stuffed animal’s unique care instructions and check the care label to figure out the proper washing machine settings to use.
For stuffed animals without a care tag, it’s safest to hand wash them. You should avoid putting stuffed animals that contain electronics, sequins or other delicate fabrics, or foam ball-filled plush animals in the washing machine. Instead, spot clean for stains or carefully hand wash.
HOW TO CLEAN STUFFED ANIMALS IN THE WASHING MACHINE
Machine washing stuffed animals is an easy and dependable way of keeping them clean. It’s recommended to place each stuffed animal inside its own mesh laundry bag or pillowcase, use a gentle cycle with cold water, and avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals. However, make sure to check the care label for the toy’s specific cleaning instructions before washing.
SUPPLIES
Mesh laundry bag or pillowcase
Gentle laundry detergent
Towel
STEP 1: REMOVE OR SECURE LOOSE PARTS
Make sure to remove all detachable parts, clothing items or accessories before washing. You can disinfect your stuffed animal’s accessories separately and set them aside until the toy is dry.
STEP 2: SPOT CLEAN THE STUFFED ANIMAL
If the stuffed animal has stains, you can spot clean the plush toy using white vinegar and cool water. Use a clean towel and dab the stained area until it is clean.
STEP 3: PROTECT THE STUFFED ANIMAL
To protect the stuffed animal while it’s being washed, place it inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. If washing multiple stuffed animals at once, place each inside its own bag.
STEP 4: DISINFECT THE STUFFED ANIMAL
By using a laundry sanitizer in the washer, you can thoroughly disinfect the toy and help avoid damaging it. Traditional disinfectants may damage the stuffed animal’s synthetic fur. However, check your machine’s instruction manual to ensure a laundry sanitizer is safe to use.
STEP 5: USE A GENTLE WASH SETTING AND DETERGENT
In order to best preserve the stuffed animal, use a gentle detergent free from bleach or harsh chemicals like Swash® Free & Clear detergent.¹ Choose a gentle or delicate wash setting on your machine. Select Maytag® washing machines are equipped with a delicate cycle that combines gentle wash action and a low-speed spin.
STEP 6: DRY THE STUFFED ANIMAL
To dry the stuffed animal you can either air dry it or place it in the dryer. But, be sure to check the care tag to see if your stuffed animals can be safely dried in the dryer. If there is excess water after drying, you can also roll the toy in a bath towel and press down gently.
HOW DO I HAND WASH STUFFED ANIMALS?
Whether your stuffed animals are older or just more fragile, you can easily hand wash them to keep them clean and in good condition with the following steps. If they have stains, you should spot clean them before hand washing.
In addition, if your stuffed animal is too large to fit in the washing machine, spot cleaning and hand washing are a great option to keep it clean.
STEP 1: SOAK IN COLD WATER
First, fill the sink or a bucket with enough cold water to submerge the stuffed animal completely.
STEP 2: ADD DETERGENT
Next, add a small amount of gentle detergent, like Swash® Free & Clear detergent to the water.
STEP 3: RINSE THE STUFFED ANIMAL
Gently rinse and squeeze the stuffed animal until the water runs clear. Be careful not to wring or scrub the toy too hard, especially on older stuffed animals, which might have loose strings and worn fabric.
STEP 4: AIR DRY
It’s safest to air dry delicate or old stuffed animals on a rack. You can also use a damp cloth to fluff the fur of the stuffed animal and wipe away any further detergent residue. Use a towel to soak up excess moisture.
HOW DO I SPOT CLEAN STUFFED ANIMALS?
You can easily spot clean a stained stuffed animal with a simple mixture of 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and 8 oz of cold water. Use a clean towel to soak up the mixture and dab it onto the stained area of the stuffed animal until it is clean.
To avoid water damage, stuffed animals with battery packs or other electronics should only be spot cleaned, instead of fully submerged under water.
HOW DO I CLEAN STUFFED ANIMALS WITHOUT WATER?
You can clean your stuffed animals easily without water using two items: baking soda and a bag. This method is optimal for toys with electronics or other materials that could be damaged by water.
Begin by putting ½ cup of baking soda into a plastic bag and placing the stuffed toy inside. Seal the bag and gently shake it until the stuffed animal is completely covered in baking soda. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes. After this treatment, much of the odor and dirt on the toy should be gone. You can shake off or gently vacuum the stuffed animal to remove the excess baking soda.
CAN I PUT STUFFED ANIMALS IN THE DRYER?
You can typically put most stuffed animals in the dryer. However, it’s important to check the care tag for each stuffed animal to be sure. If you do choose to use a dryer for your stuffed toys, it’s recommended to place them in a mesh bag and use a short, gentle cycle with a low temperature.
Stuffed animals can vary in their material and stuffing and may be damaged when exposed to the high heat from the dryer. If a toy is missing a care tag, it’s safest to avoid the dryer. Instead, roll the toy in a towel to remove excess water and air dry. If you notice a toy appears matted or flat after washing, you can use a hair dryer on low heat or a gentle nylon brush to help restore its fluffiness.
SHOP MAYTAG® WASHERS AND DRYERS
Cleaning beloved stuffed animals doesn’t have to be a difficult chore. Explore Maytag® washers and dryers that help you keep them fresh and clean, and fight tough stains. The Delicate Cycle can gently and thoroughly wash on a low spin speed.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHERS WITH MAYTAG BRAND
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1. Swash® products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
