Soft toys can become one of the most important parts of your little one’s life – they might want to take their favourite everywhere! Our little one won’t go anywhere without his little blue bunny, and it gets dirty quickly!
Soft toys often need to be washed to prevent your child from carrying around lots of germs and dirt on their toys. But you need to be able to wash the toys safely to make sure you can give them back to your child in one piece! Let’s look at how you can wash soft toys properly below.
Key Points
- Stuffed toys can be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, germs, and allergens. Because of this, it is important to clean them regularly
- Clean stuffed toys that have become wet, messy, or have spent lots of time on the floor outside
- You should wash your child’s soft toys if they have recently been sick
- Most stuffed animals can be cleaned in a washing machine, but others have to be hand-washed or professionally dry-cleaned
Content in this article:
- Why Is It Important To Clean Stuffed Animals?
- How Do You Know When It’s Time To Wash Your Child’s Soft Toys?
- How Can You Clean Stuffed Animals In The Washing Machine?
- How Can You Hand Wash Stuffed Animals?
- How Can You Properly Dry Stuffed Animals After Washing?
- What About Cleaning Non-Washable Toys?
- Conclusion
Why Is It Important To Clean Stuffed Animals?
It’s essential to clean your children’s soft toys because it can keep them healthier and protected from germs that stuffed animals pick up. The plush fabric often acts as a duster, attracting all kinds of allergens and particles. Your child might then get these on their hands, leading to them being ingested. Before you know it, they’re ill and miserable!
Washing the toys can sanitise them and kill these germs before they can do any damage to your child’s immune system. It can also prolong the toy’s lifespan, prevent it from looking unattractive, and keep it soft and snuggly.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Wash Your Child’s Soft Toys?
Soft toys should be cleaned regularly to keep them free of germs and everyday dirt. However, some soft toys will need to be cleaned more often than others. We have detailed a few signs that your child’s soft toys need to be cleaned ASAP below:
1. The Toy Has Been Left On The Floor
The floor is one of the dirtiest places in any house, so if your child has left their soft toys on the floor for a while, they might need a wash to sterilise the germs. To avoid this, try and teach your little ones to put their toys away when they’re finished playing with them. Otherwise, you might find the soft toys need washing every other day!
2. You Can See Or Feel Dirt On The Toys
Children love making a mess, whether that’s playing in the dirt outside or finger painting. Some children haven’t yet learned the importance of washing their hands, so they’ll grab their soft toys and get them all dirty. It’s time to clean the soft toys if you can see that they are dirty, sticky, or looking a little worse for wear.
3. The Toys Smell
Toys that have begun to smell need to be washed as soon as possible. You might know why the toy smells – maybe they were dragged through a puddle and have become damp – or you might not. Either way, as soon as any toy starts to smell unpleasant, you should wash it for your health and peace of mind.
4. Your Child Has Been Sick
Soft toys are excellent at picking up and trapping germs, so if your child has been sick recently, there’s a good chance that their toy has picked up those germs and is carrying them around. Not only is this unsanitary, but it can also make others ill if they interact with your child or their soft toy. When your child is sick, you should wash their bedding, clothing, and toys more than usual.
How Can You Clean Stuffed Animals In The Washing Machine?
Many parents opt to clean their children’s soft toys in the washing machine because it’s convenient and easy. We’ve detailed how you can wash your children’s stuffed toys in a washing machine below:
- Check the label of your soft toys to make sure they can be machine-washed
- Use a damp cloth and a mild detergent to remove any stains that may need extra attention before using the washing machine
- Place the stuffed animal in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. This will help to prevent the fabric from snagging during the wash cycle. Secure the bag with a tight knot
- Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle and a cold water temperature
- Add a mild detergent to the machine and start the cycle
- After the washing cycle is complete, check the stuffed animal to ensure any dirt or stains have been removed
- Place the stuffed animal in the dryer on a low-heat setting
- Add a clean towel to the dryer to help fluff the stuffed animal
- Run the dryer for 10-15 minutes, then check the stuffed animal to ensure it is completely dry
- Once the stuffed animal is dry, it’ll be ready to give back to your little one
How Can You Hand Wash Stuffed Animals?
Most stuffed animals can be machine washed, but some extremely delicate toys will say hand wash only on the label. Below we have detailed the steps to take if you need to hand wash your child’s soft toys:
- Fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of mild detergent to create a sudsy solution
- Place the stuffed animal in the basin and submerge it completely in the water
- Allow the stuffed animal to soak for a few minutes to remove dust and loosen any dirt
- Gently scrub the stuffed animal with a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and stains. You’ll want to pay special attention to the seams, which can often harbour dirt and grime
- Rinse the stuffed animal in the basin with clean water
- Gently squeeze the excess water out of the stuffed animal and place it on the clean towel
- Roll the towel up and lightly press down to absorb any remaining water
- Place the stuffed animal in a well-ventilated area and allow it to air dry thoroughly
- Once the stuffed animal is completely dry, it is ready for your little one to use again
How Can You Properly Dry Stuffed Animals After Washing?
Whether you are hand washing or machine washing, it is important to make sure your child’s toys are thoroughly dried before the next play session. Otherwise, they can become damp and even grow mould within the stuffing. Below we have detailed some ways you can properly dry soft toys after they’ve been washed:
Air Drying Toys
Air drying toys is one of the best methods of drying soft toys, as it prevents any of the materials from melting or drying at different times. Simply hang the toy on a washing line in indirect light and wait for it to dry. We don’t recommend putting the toy in direct sunlight as this can bleach the toy, although it will dry it quickly.
Blotting With A Towel
You might find that the toy has soaked up a lot of water while being washed, so blotting it with a clean towel can help remove moisture and excess water. Avoid wringing the toy out, as this can damage the seams and increase the likelihood of holes.
Dry Them Quickly With A Hair Dryer
Using a hair dryer on toys is not ideal, as it can melt the fabric. However, sometimes you don’t have another choice, especially if your child cannot sleep without their stuffed toy. Use a hairdryer on low heat and keep it pulled away from the toy, gently turning it to dry all angles.
What About Cleaning Non-Washable Toys?
Some toys don’t come with cleaning instructions or might be labelled as dry-clean only. Below we have detailed four ways to clean non-washable toys:
1. Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning is a great way to clean non-washable stuffed animals and toys. Simply take the toy to a local dry cleaner and pick it up when ready! Your professional dry cleaner oill use a solvent-based cleaning process to remove any dirt, dust, and stains.
2. Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning is an effective way to clean non-washable stuffed animals and toys. Use a mild detergent and warm water to spot-clean any dirty or stained areas. Be sure to use a cloth or soft brush to avoid damaging the fabric.
3. Wiping
Wiping is a simple way to clean non-washable stuffed animals and doesn’t take too much time. Use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt and dust from the surface gently. You can use a gentle detergent for an extra boost if you run into any tough stains.
4. Steaming
Steaming is a great way to sanitise non-washable stuffed animals and toys. You can use a steamer or a steam cleaner to remove any bacteria and germs that may have accumulated on your child’s toy. But, you will want to check the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the item is safe to steam.
Final Thoughts On How To Wash Soft Toys
It’s important to clean your child’s soft toys as they tend to pick up and trap lots of dirt, debris, and germs. Most toys can be washed in a washing machine, although make sure you check the label to make sure they’re not hand-washed only! You should clean your child’s soft toys more often if they’ve dragged them along the floor, start to smell, or if your child has been sick recently.