When a favorite cuddly plush toy gets a stain or a patina of grime from daily (and nightly) loving, it’s time for a cleaning. No pressure! It’s just your child’s best friend and nap buddy. Here’s how to wash a stuffed animal without ruining it.
In a few easy steps with OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover, you can wash your kid’s favorite stuffed animals, squishable large plushies, or any soft toy that needs a good bath after a day at the playground or a night helping your child feel better.
Most stuffed animals and plushie toys are surface clean only. Hand washing a stuffed animal helps to keep its shape and texture, and prevent damage from heat or strong agitation in the appliances.
Even if your stuffed animal has machine washing instructions, hand washing is the most delicate way to clean a soft plush toy, especially one that is worn well from all the love. Follow these directions to surface clean a teddy bear or other stuffed animal, using the oxygen-based stain-fighting power of OxiClean™.
1. MixMix water and OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover to line 2 to 4 per gallon of water (follow instructions on the package) to create a cleaning solution. Stir until dissolved. Try using a sink, laundry tub, bucket, or large bowl.
2. BlotUsing a clean, white towel, blot out the stain. Repeat this step as many times as needed until the stuffed animal looks clean.
3. BlotBlot to rinse using a different clean white towel, dampened with clean cool water.
4. Air DryAllow stuffed animal to air dry. Once dried, fluff toy. If your dryer has a No Heat, Air Dry or Air Fluff setting, you can use your dryer to fluff and dry your plushie faster. Do not use heat.
Always test OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover on a small area before using. Read your plushie’s label and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather or fabrics labeled dry clean only.
Your child’s favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal goes where they go, and that can mean being dragged through the dirt or across the bathroom floor. Plus, stuffed toys can pick up germs from being kissed and rubbing noses with their human friend, especially when your child is sick.
If you want to wash a stuffed animal in the washing machine, try putting it inside a knotted pillowcase or mesh laundry bag to help protect it from rubbing against other items or the appliance drum. To sanitize or disinfect machine washable stuffed toys, use OxiClean™ Laundry & Home Sanitizer and follow the laundry directions on the package.