How To Clean Stuffed Animals

Whether you have a collection of stuffed animals on display or you have kids whose favorite stuffed animals is looking super grubby. The good news is, most stuffed animals can be washed and dried.

Have a lot of stuffed animals and want to keep them organized? Check out these brilliant stuffed animal storage ideas!

First, let’s talk about the stuffed animals that can be washed. Any toys that are used (and loved) by kids really need washing regularly. Especially if like my 8 month year old playing with a stuffed animal means putting it in their mouth – a lot! Here’s how to wash your stuffed animals without ruining them.

Machine Wash

Place the stuffed animals in your washing machine, and add a small amount of detergent. Put on a gentle wash cycle with cold or warm water. Smaller stuffed animals can be placed inside a mesh bag or a pillow case to wash.

If you have older toys that could be damaged by machine washing, hand wash with a gentle detergent.

Once the stuffed animals are washed, remove excess water from them by rolling them in a towel.

Then air dry if you can rather than use a dryer. You want to be careful of too much heat damaging your stuffed animals especially if they are made from synthetic fibres.

How do you sanitize stuffed animals?

It’s really important that stuffed animals which have been in contact with sick kids are cleaned well. The easiest way to sanitize stuffed animals is to add a laundry sanitizer or disinfectant when you wash them.

Then dry the stuffed animals in the sun if possible.

Don’t have time to wash your child’s favourite stuffed toy because they can’t do without it then place it in the sun for 30 to 60 minutes. The sunlight will sanitize the stuffed animals by killing any germs on the surface.

Spot Clean

What about stuffed animals that have internal batteries or such and would be damaged by washing? How do you get them clean? There are a few things that you can do to clean your stuffed animals.

Simply give them a spot clean with a damp cloth or a gentle vacuum. This is also works for toys that on display and don’t get used regularly. Dust them off with a damp cloth or a gentle vacuum.

You can also remove any musty odors by adding the toy to a sealable bag with a cup of baking soda. Brush them off afterwards or give them a gentle vacuum.

Then your stuffed animals are clean and ready to be enjoyed again!

More Helpful Ideas