Dirty Teddy Bears!

C., I always throw in the washer all of our stuffed animals. I even put them in the low heat in the dryer so the whiskers don't get deformed. I've never had any problems! :)

1 mom found this helpful

I actually like white (or light colored) stuffed animals, because it does show me when they are filthy. You have to think that the dark ones have just as much dirt on them - we just don't see it!! Stuffed animals generally wash great in the washing maching! I throw them in all the time with whatever I'm washing (with like colors)and they turn out great. I do it at least once a month. Go for it!

Beat around in the dryer to see if that works first. If not, put them in the gentle cycle and wash them with a little mild detergent.

I've had pretty good luck just throwing stuffed animals in the washing machine. If they are small enough I put them in a lingerie bag, but so far ... knock on wood ... all those that I have washed have survived.

As a side note, I'm a 45-year-old mom with two daughters who are 5 and 3. It's nice to know I'm not alone in the "old mom's club"! :)

I wash my kids stuffed animals when they need it. I put them in a pillow case and wash them and then dry them. They have all come out okay. I don't know if any of the white ones came out looking really white. I just n=know they were cleaner from a germs perspective.

Have you thought about soaking then in Woolite? I do that before I even considered throwing them in the wash. I'd be afraid they'd come apart in the wash. I'd soak them and rinse them 3-4 times to make sure and get all the soap out. Roll them in towels and let them sit for a few minutes. Let them dry......maybe even in the sun to further brighten the white. Oh, yeah.......might want to consider putting PEROXIDE in the Woolite. Peroxide is SAFE - I use to whiten my teeth and CHEAP. You can buy a huge bottle at Wal-Mart for 89 cents. I'd not hesitate to put 1/4-1/3 of the bottle in there, depending on how many and/or the size of the bears. Won't eat them like bleach will. Good luck.

P.S. I use peroxide in my white laundry too.

Hi C.!

My husband thinks that anything can go in the washer. He is also a little OCD when it comes to germs. So, I will change out the laundry and often find stuffed animals and such in the washer and/or dryer. Ty and gund brand animals to name a few. They have all survived very well actually. I wouldn't do a hot setting though.

Good Luck.
K. O

my hubby is a medic. We buy stuffed animals at yard sales and I wash them all the time. Just make sure there are no holes for the stuffing to escape. He gives them to kids who are upset or crying.

I wash all the stuffed animals in the washer but usually go to a laundromat that has the really big machines and just put it on pernament press, they come out clean and pretty again but I air dry them as the dryer will usually melt the eyes in the toys.

I always put them in the washer when they need cleaning. I figure, what is the worst that can happen, They'll get ruined? Can't use them now, so what is the difference. They have always come out fine.
R.

C., here is the easiest solution you will find...

Next time you're doing a load, preferably light clothes, get a pillow case and throw in 2-3 bears, or however many you can fit. Then wash like normal. If the bears are really grimy, hit it with spray and wash first.

Keep doing this every time you have a load to do and eventually all the bears will be washed. Easy as pie. Clean clothes, clean bears.

I toss ours in the wash with a couple of bath towels then hang to dry. If they're really bad add oxyclean or clorox 2 to the detergent. Works great. Don't forget the softener.

Hi C.,

I see you've had enough advice on the teddy bears so I just wanted to say the same thing as another mommy did......... way to go being an older mommy, I had my first child at 41, he is 4 now and it's so rewarding. Just wanted to say hi since I sometimes feel all alone in this category!!!!! good luck and take care

Cathy

I agree with the pillow case trick. They come out great. Then I air dry. We had one incident where my daughter dropped a brand new animal in a mud puddle. It was absolutely filthy. She was "beside herself". I threw it in a pillow case and in the washer. It came out good as new!

There are a few places referred to as "Teddy bear hospitals". They specialize in plush animal repair and cleaning. A quick Internet search should kick up a few. If you can't send your "friends" in then perhaps some will have some helpful tips on home cleaning.

Throw them in the washer. I used to see a day care in my church toss everything imaginable in the wash. No problem at all.