How to Clean a Stuffed Animal
Make sure that you’re able to machine wash your stuffed animal., Examine the animal carefully., Find out what type of machine you have., Place your animal in a mesh bag., Use the gentle or delicate cycle.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure that you’re able to machine wash your stuffed animal.
Read the label of the animal to ensure that you are able to wash it in your machine.
You won’t be able to machine a stuffed animal if:
Your stuffed animal comes with a music box inside.
It’s very old, fur or limbs are falling apart, or it’s fragile to hold.
There are items that have been glued on like plastic eyes, legs, arms, ears, or sequins.
The animal is wearing delicate clothing that is sewn permanently on and can’t be removed like a glittery dress or an easily broken crown.
The animal is stuffed with small foam balls instead of batting. -
Step 2: Examine the animal carefully.
Do you need to remove any parts? Are there any loose strings that need to be taken care of? Make sure that you don’t cause any damage to the animal or your machine., Stuffed animals are best washed in a machine that does not have an agitator.
Machines with an agitator tend to ball up the animal because the agitator displaces the batting.
Instead of using a top loading machine, you could take a large load of laundry to a laundromat and wash your stuffed animal with that load. , A mesh laundry bag can be purchased at your local dollar store, fabric store, or laundromat.
It gives added protection from snagging and jostling by your machine., Even a normal cycle may be too vigorous for your stuffed animal so always wash in gentle or delicate to be safe.
Use warm or cool water.
Avoid using hot water because it may dissolve any glue causing pieces to fall off. -
Step 3: Find out what type of machine you have.
-
Step 4: Place your animal in a mesh bag.
-
Step 5: Use the gentle or delicate cycle.
Detailed Guide
Read the label of the animal to ensure that you are able to wash it in your machine.
You won’t be able to machine a stuffed animal if:
Your stuffed animal comes with a music box inside.
It’s very old, fur or limbs are falling apart, or it’s fragile to hold.
There are items that have been glued on like plastic eyes, legs, arms, ears, or sequins.
The animal is wearing delicate clothing that is sewn permanently on and can’t be removed like a glittery dress or an easily broken crown.
The animal is stuffed with small foam balls instead of batting.
Do you need to remove any parts? Are there any loose strings that need to be taken care of? Make sure that you don’t cause any damage to the animal or your machine., Stuffed animals are best washed in a machine that does not have an agitator.
Machines with an agitator tend to ball up the animal because the agitator displaces the batting.
Instead of using a top loading machine, you could take a large load of laundry to a laundromat and wash your stuffed animal with that load. , A mesh laundry bag can be purchased at your local dollar store, fabric store, or laundromat.
It gives added protection from snagging and jostling by your machine., Even a normal cycle may be too vigorous for your stuffed animal so always wash in gentle or delicate to be safe.
Use warm or cool water.
Avoid using hot water because it may dissolve any glue causing pieces to fall off.
About the Author
Michelle Knight
Brings years of experience writing about lifestyle and related subjects.
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