HOW TO WASH STUFFED ANIMALS IN WASHING MACHINE

You need some tips on how to wash and clean stuffed animals? Those beloved treasures can be a trickier item to launder.

There are many reasons you need to wash stuffed animals: the attack of the stomach bug, they can be dusty from sitting on a shelf, a little too much love from the owner, lice or other varmints, or frequent washing for kiddos with allergies and asthma.

Stuffed animals are like clothes – the less you wash them, the longer they will look new.

HOW TO WASH STUFFED ANIMALS IN WASHING MACHINE

Before washing a stuffed animal, examine it carefully. Are there parts that need to be removed first?  Any strings that need to be secured?

Stuffed animals are similar to pillows in that they wash much better if laundered in a machine that does not have an agitator. If you have a top loader, you could always take a large load and wash them at the laundromat.

Washing with an agitator tends to make the animal ball up due to the agitator displacing the batting.

After determining your stuffed animal can be washed, place it in a laundry bag. The laundry bag gives it an extra level of protection from snagging or being pummeled too much in the machine.

Always wash stuffed animals on the gentle/delicate cycle. They just can’t tolerate a more aggressive washing that a ‘normal’ cycle would give.

After washing, remove from the bag and hang dry.

Note:

YOU CAN’T WASH STUFFED ANIMAL IN THE WASHING MACHINE IF THEY:

– Have a music box sewn inside

– Are extremely old and fragile

– Have items glued on – sequins, etc.  Glued-on eyes probably will survive a washing.

– Have delicate ‘clothing’ items on that can’t be removed (think glittery, net-type dresses or delicate little crowns or the like)

– Are filled with small foam balls inside (like Beanie Babies) and not batting.