Best Cleaning Tips For Stuffed Animals
Get your lovely cuddly teddy bears, plush dogs and many other plush toys from http://www.KCPlush.com. Discover a world of real-looking stuffed animals from all known habitats and breeds.
Most of us have a favorite plush animal. Maybe it perfectly compliments the decor in your living room, or maybe it has great sentimental value due to childhood memories or because it is a treasured gift from a significant other. These toys will get some dust and dirt on them over the course of time, but there are ways to keep them looking their best without a lot of effort. The key is to keep it gentle so as not to ruin the plush toy. You can use water on most stuffed toys, so long as you are careful. Don’t lose your favorite animal toy due to dirt and grime!
There’s Dust in My Fur!
It’s a good idea to dust your plush pals regularly, before the tiny pieces of grit become overwhelming. All you need is a duster or even a damp cloth to gently wipe off the accumulated residue. You can even toss them in the dryer with some scented dryer sheets. If you set the temperature on high, it will kill any germs that your plush friend may have picked up. About ten minutes in the dryer should freshen up your stuffed toy. You can also kill germs on plushies with a disinfectant wipe. Taking the dust off of the fur can really freshen up a plush toy!
Bath Time
Some favorite plush toys spend a lot of time on the floor. Kids toss them on the floor after playing with them, and some stuffed animals can serve a decorative function in a room to liven up a corner. Plush animals that are on the floor get dirty very quickly, so they need a bath occasionally. (This can be a good object lesson for kids on the power of bathing.) You can bathe a teddy bear or other plush toy by soaking them overnight with a little detergent and some fabric softener. Toss them in the dryer with some scented dryer sheets for a fresh smell.
If you decide to put your plushie in a washing machine, put it in a pillow case and tie the pillow case shut to avoid damaging the stuffed animal. Set your washer to a gentle cycle and use cold water to help your plush pal keep its color. Always dry on low. About thirty minutes on low heat should dry your toy nicely, but it may need some fluffing by hand to make sure that its stuffing is in the right place.
Miracles Can Happen!
What about the toy with a bad stain of some unidentifiable gunk? Don’t despair, your favorite toy can be cleaned, so you don’t have to toss out that childhood friend! What you need is some carpet cleaner and a toothbrush. The toothbrush is just the right size for most toy stains and is still delicate enough not to damage the toy you are trying to restore. Squirt some carpet cleaner on the brush and very gently rub the stain.
Afterward, rinse your plush animal in cold water until the carpet cleaner is removed and the water is clear. Put your stuffed toy in the dryer as described above and fluff it for ten minutes. If it is still damp, you can let it air dry. After it dries, you can clean it further with a disinfecting wipe to remove any germs, especially if a child is going to come in contact with the plush toy. This technique can really renew a favorite plush friend.
Don’t get frustrated when your favorite stuffed toy gets a little dusty or dirty. A little effort can restore even a grimy animal to its original luster. You and your favorite plush animals will be a lot happier after a good cleaning! So don’t throw out your old stuffed toys; clean and restore them!
Most of the services reviewed by this website are available or may be accessed from Australia (see 