If you have a special stuffed animal, whether it's a much loved child's toy or a perfect decoration for your living room, it's a shame to watch it give in to the ravages of time. Dirt and dust are pervasive, impossible to stop annoyances, but it is possible to clean up your favorite dirty teddy bear! And you can do it without ruining the toy too. Water and teddy bears aren't mutually exclusive. Whether the plush animal is only a little dusty, or extremely soiled, these tricks and tips will insure you never lose another stuffed animal to the ravages of dirt again.
A Mite Dusty
Dust is unavoidable, and so cleaning some off before the plush animal's status becomes code red is a good idea. This is actually quite easy, just get a damp cloth or duster to wipe way the accumulated dust. You can even use a disinfecting cloth to wipe away any unwanted germs. If just cleaning the surface isn't enough for you, another great approach is to toss the plush toy into the dryer with a couple of scented dryer sheets. All you need to do is to set the temperature on high in order to kill germs, and let it go for 10 minutes. This way both their insides and outsides have been freshened up. You'll feel like the toy is new again!
Dire Need Of A Bath
If your teddy bear ends up on the floor a lot, then it probably needs a better cleaning then the ones above. There are several options here. First, you can let the plush toy soak overnight with some softener and detergent, then throw them in the dryer for that fresh smell. Or, you can just simply throw them in the washing machine. To keep the toy safe, put it in a pillow case and knot the case closed. Then, so as not to damage the stuffed animal, set the washer on a gentle cycle with cold water, and always make sure you dry it on low. A low heat setting for a half and hour will be plenty for the toy, and then when you take them out, straighten the teddy bear in case any of its stuffing has shifted out of place.
Seems Beyond Help
Plush dogs or plush bears or any other stuffed animals that have had hard, well used lives can still be revived! Even terribly soiled, well loved childrens' toys can be cleaned. In cases like this, you'll need a little more elbow grease. Something that works well for these items is a good carpet cleaner and a medium or firm toothbrush. Using a larger brush is not recommended as it won't fit in all the small areas of the plush toys and isn't good for small stain removal. Spray the carpet cleaner on the dirty spots and use the toothbrush to carefully rub the stains out. Once you have treated all the soiled areas, you can rinse the item in the sink or shower untul the water runs clear and all chemicals are out. Then, you can toss the item in the dryer to dry or hang it on a drying rack or clothesline.
So as you can see, there are many ways to clean a stuffed animal. Even when it seems the toy may be beyond saving, don't give up! If it's important to you, it might just be worth a little elbow grease. You'll be happy when your favorite toys are fresh, clean, and just like new again!
Want to find out more about plush toys, then visit Kristaria Dawson's site on how to choose the best stuffed animals online for your needs.
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