How to Clean Stuffed Animals
Whether it's a child's toy or an adult's collectible, plush toys are beloved by people of all ages. But what should you do when your plush toy gets dirty? Properly cleaning plush toys is very important. Always read the label on the toy before washing it—otherwise, it may get damaged or even fall apart. Choose a cleaning agent that suits the toy's material and is safe for human health.
We'll introduce several methods for cleaning plush toys to help you clean them quickly and effectively. Follow along with us to make your plush toys look brand new again—fluffy, soft, and fresh.
8 Steps to Machine Wash Stuffed Animals
Step 1: Make Sure It Is A Machine Washable Stuffed Animal
Before cleaning, carefully read the label on your stuffed toy to check whether it is safe for machine washing. We recommend not machine washing the following types of stuffed animals:
If the toy contains electronic elements like a music box or sound module, it should not be washed in a machine. Water can easily cause short circuits or damage the electronics, which can ruin the toy's functionality and even create safety hazards such as electric shock.
If the toy has components attached with glue — such as plastic eyes, limbs, ears, or decorative sequins — the spinning and friction in a washing machine may weaken the adhesive, causing parts to fall off. Detached pieces could also get stuck in the washer and cause internal damage.
If the toy is very old, has thinning fur, or loose joints that make it feel fragile, the strong agitation of a washing machine could cause it to fall apart completely. These toys are better suited for gentle hand cleaning or surface wiping.
Toys with delicate outfits that can't be removed — such as those stitched with gingham shirts, British-style dresses, or fragile head accessories — may suffer damage from the washer's friction and pulling. This can affect the toy's overall appearance.
If the stuffing consists of small foam beads instead of traditional cotton or fiberfill, washing may cause the beads to clump, shift, or leak. This can distort the toy's shape and make cleanup difficult if beads spill into the washing machine. These toys are not suitable for machine washing.
Step 2: Carefully Inspect the Stuffed Animals
Inspect Decorative Elements: Look at the stuffed animal's accessories, such as ribbons, small ornaments, plastic eyes, sequins, etc., and see if they are removable. If you plan to machine wash the toy and these parts can be detached, it's best to remove them beforehand to prevent damage or loss during the wash.
Inspect Attached Accessories: If the toy comes with detachable parts like a teddy bear's nose or small animal horns, it's also advisable to remove these pieces before cleaning and either wash them separately or store them safely.
Check for Frayed Threads: Examine the toy's surface for loose or fraying threads, especially around seams and edges. If you notice a few stray threads, trim them carefully with small scissors, making sure not to cut into the main fabric.
Assess Seam Tightness: If any seams feel loose, they may unravel further during the wash, potentially leading to deformation or leakage of stuffing. In such cases, use a needle and thread to reinforce the seams and protect the toy's structure.
Check Fabric and Stuffing Condition: Look for signs of damage, fading, or wear on the toy's fabric, and check if the stuffing is clumped or has an unpleasant odor. If there are issues, you may need to address them by hand before washing or consider a more suitable cleaning method.
Check Fit for Laundry Bag: If the toy is large, make sure it can fit completely into a laundry bag with enough room to move around. This prevents excessive compression or deformation during the machine wash.
In summary, to prevent damage during cleaning, always assess your stuffed animal's materials, condition, and features beforehand. Choose the most appropriate cleaning method based on your toy's unique characteristics.
Step 3: Understand What Type of Washing Machine You Have
Stuffed animals are best not washed in machines with an agitator or impeller. These types of machines can leave your plush toys in a tangled mess because their internal paddles and blades can shift the stuffing. A front-loading drum (tumble) washer is generally safer for plush toys, as it cleans using a tumbling action similar to pounding clothes with a mallet, which causes less wear and tear. Here's a breakdown of washing machine types:
These have a central post with paddles or fins that twist back and forth to move clothes through water. While their wear on regular clothes is moderate, they can easily deform stuffed animals and shift their internal stuffing.
The spinning disk at the bottom of the tub creates turbulent water movement, causing clothes to rub against each other and the walls of the tub. This design causes more wear and tear and can also damage the structure of stuffed toys.
Mimicking a gentle pounding motion, the drum partially fills with water, and items are lifted and dropped during rotation. This method is much gentler on fabric and is generally better suited for washing plush toys.
To protect your stuffed animal from snagging or being squashed during washing, place it in a mesh laundry bag. These bags are available at convenience stores, fabric shops, most supermarkets (in the laundry supplies section), or online. When using one, choose a bag that is the appropriate size for your toy—large enough to allow movement inside but not so big that the toy shifts too much. This ensures thorough cleaning and reduces stress on the seams and surface.
For larger plush toys, consider purchasing an extra-large mesh laundry bag to allow the toy to spread out properly inside the washing machine. After placing the toy in the bag, make sure to zip it up or tie it securely so the toy doesn’t slip out during the wash cycle.
Step 4: Select the Gentle Wash Cycle on the Washing Machine
Regular wash cycles are too harsh for stuffed animals, so it's essential to use the gentle or delicate wash setting. This cycle uses lower spin speeds and gentler agitation, which helps minimize pulling and friction during washing. It significantly reduces the risk of deformation or damage and helps maintain the toy's shape and appearance. You can use either cold or lukewarm water, but avoid using hot water, as it may cause glue to dissolve and lead to parts detaching from the toy.
Cold Water: Recommended for brightly colored, delicate, or uncertain heat-resistant stuffed animals. Cold water prevents shrinkage, color fading, and fabric damage caused by temperature changes, offering better protection overall.
Lukewarm Water: Suitable for toys made of more durable materials with stable coloring. Lukewarm water enhances the cleaning power of detergents and helps remove stains and odors. However, water temperature should be kept between 30°C–40°C (86°F–104°F) to avoid damage.
Step 5: Use the Right Amount of Detergent
Opt for a mild, neutral, and non-irritating detergent. These types of detergents have a pH level close to neutral, making them gentle on both the fabric and filling of stuffed animals. They effectively clean without causing damage or irritation to the toy's materials.
Add detergent according to the size and level of dirt on the plush toy. For small stuffed animals, about 15–30 ml of detergent is usually sufficient. For larger toys, you may increase the amount to 30–60 ml.
Too much detergent can create excess foam, which may leave residue inside the toy, irritate the skin, or even damage the washing machine. Too little, on the other hand, may lead to poor cleaning results.
Step 6: Start the Wash and Post-Cleaning Care
Place the stuffed animal in a mesh laundry bag and then into the washing machine. Make sure the toy is fully submerged in water. Add the appropriate amount of neutral detergent and choose a gentle or delicate cycle to minimize pulling and friction, which can damage the toy.
Once the wash cycle is complete, carefully open the washing machine. Be cautious, as plush toys can become heavy when soaked and may fall or deform if dropped. Remove the toy gently and place it on a towel-covered surface.
Use a towel to press out excess water—do not wring or twist the toy, as this can deform or damage its structure. Gently pressing helps retain the toy’s shape while removing moisture effectively.
Step 7: Reshape and Dry the Stuffed Toy
Before the toy is completely dry, gently use your hands to reshape it, especially at the joints between the limbs, head, and body. Lightly pinch and mold the toy to restore its fullness and three-dimensional form. If necessary, you can insert some dry stuffing material—such as cotton or a clean, dry towel—inside the toy to help it regain and maintain its shape.
Place the reshaped stuffed toy in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry area to air dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause fabric fading or material degradation. You may gently pat the toy with a clean towel from time to time to improve air circulation, speed up drying, and help restore its fluffiness and softness.
Step 8: Inspect and Store
After the stuffed toy is completely dry, carefully check the cleaning results to ensure that all stains and odors have been fully removed. If any spots remain, you can clean them again manually as needed.
Store the clean and dry stuffed toy in a breathable storage bag or container in a dry, ventilated place, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Regularly inspect and maintain the toy—such as dusting the surface or repairing minor damage—to extend its lifespan.
If the care label recommends hand washing and not machine washing, you can hand washing toys yourself at home.
5 Steps to Hand Washing Toys
Step 1: Prepare the Detergent Solution and Add it to Water
In a sink or large container, prepare an appropriate amount of cold water and add a mild detergent. A recommended amount is about one cup, but it should be adjusted based on the size of the container and the number of toys. Be sure to read the detergent packaging carefully to ensure it is suitable for the material of the stuffed toys. Some strong detergents may cause fading or damage to the plush toys, so choosing a gentle detergent is important.
Step 2: Soak the Stuffed Toy
Fully submerge the stuffed toy in the solution, ensuring that the detergent solution penetrates deep into the toy. Gently rub the surface of the toy with your fingers to remove dirt and debris. For stubborn stains, use a soft-bristle brush or a clean white cloth to gently scrub, but avoid applying too much pressure to prevent damaging the plush fabric or filling.
Step 3: Rinse to Remove Detergent
After soaking, thoroughly rinse the stuffed toy with clean water to remove all detergent residue. Incomplete rinsing can lead to detergent buildup, which could irritate the skin or attract dust. While rinsing, you can either place the toy under running water or change the water several times until it runs clear. Avoid wringing or twisting the toy to prevent distorting or damaging its internal structure.
Step 4: Gently Squeeze Out Excess Water
After rinsing, place the stuffed toy between two old towels and gently press to remove excess water. This method effectively removes moisture while avoiding deformation or damage from twisting. Never place the toy under direct sunlight to dry, as this can cause fading and material deterioration. For larger plush toys, it may take longer to dry in the shade, and you can gently pat the toy regularly to help restore its fluffiness.
Step 5: Dry and Restore Shape
Port, such as other towels or soft pads, around the toy to help maintainlace the stuffed toy in a well-ventilated, shaded area to dry. To prevent deformation, you can place some supp its original shape. For toys with filling, gently pat to restore fluffiness. Before the toy is completely dry, avoid allowing children to handle it to prevent mold growth due to lingering moisture.
In addition to machine washing and hand washing, there are also several ways to clean stuffed animals without water for different types of stuffed animals.
How To Clean Stuffed Animals Without Water
Dry Cleaning with Coarse Salt
Method
Prepare a bag of coarse salt (large-grain salt) and a plastic bag. Place the dirty stuffed toy in the plastic bag, add an appropriate amount of coarse salt, tightly tie the bag, and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. As the salt absorbs the dirt, it will gradually darken, and the toy will become cleaner.
Principle
Coarse salt, or sodium chloride, has large particles and a large surface area, which gives it a strong adsorption capacity for dirt. Additionally, salt has a certain disinfecting effect, effectively killing bacteria and viruses while also sanitizing the toy during the cleaning process.
Benefits
Simple, convenient, and quick, without the need for water or detergent, causing minimal damage to the toy. It is ideal for everyday cleaning.
Suitable Types
Suitable for the daily cleaning of most plush toys, especially those that cannot be washed with water, such as sound-producing toys or large plush toys.
Dry Cleaning with Baking Soda
Method
Purchase a bag of baking soda, and place it along with the dirty stuffed toy into a large plastic bag. Tie the bag tightly and shake it vigorously. The baking soda will absorb the dirt from the surface of the toy, gradually making it cleaner. Afterward, remove the toy and shake off any remaining baking soda.
Principle
Baking soda has strong adsorption properties, capable of absorbing dust, dirt, and odors from both the toy's surface and interior fabric. Additionally, it can chemically react with certain types of dirt and stains, helping to effectively clean and neutralize unpleasant odors.
Benefits
No need for water, preventing the toy from becoming damp or moldy. It effectively removes odors and some dirt, and it is gentle on the toy's material.
Suitable Types
Especially suitable for larger plush toys and sound-producing toys, as well as those that cannot be washed with water.
Foam Washing with Detergent
Method
Fill a basin with water and mild wool detergent. Use a soft brush or tool to agitate the water and create foam. Then, use the foam on the brush to gently clean the plush toy’s surface, being careful not to wet the brush too much. Wrap the toy in a bath towel and press it in a basin of clean water to wash away dust and detergent. Next, soak the toy in water with fabric softener for a few minutes, then rinse it in clean water several times until clear. Finally, wrap the cleaned toy in a bath towel, spin gently in the washing machine, reshape it, and dry in a well-ventilated area.
Principle
The surfactants in wool detergent reduce the surface tension of water, enhancing its ability to penetrate dirt and making it easier to remove. The alkaline components of the detergent can react with dirt for cleaning. Fabric softener creates a protective layer on the toy’s surface, making it softer, reducing static, and preventing dust accumulation.
Benefits
Deeply cleans the interior of the toy, removes stubborn dirt and odors, makes the toy fluffier and softer, and reduces static cling.
Suitable Types
Suitable for most washable plush toys, especially those that can be machine washed. Not suitable for toys with special decorations or those that cannot be washed with water.
Disinfection Wash
Method
For electronic or sound-producing plush toys, to prevent the small parts from being damaged during cleaning, first use tape to cover the toy's parts, then place it in a laundry bag and select a gentle washing cycle. After the spin cycle, hang the toy to dry in a cool, shaded area. During drying, gently pat the toy to help fluff its fur and filling, restoring its original shape. While washing, you can add an appropriate amount of detergent with disinfecting properties, such as antibacterial laundry powder or liquid, to achieve antibacterial and anti-mite effects.
Principle
Detergents added to the water effectively remove dirt and kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. For electronic or sound-producing plush toys, using tape to protect the parts and the laundry bag helps prevent damage during cleaning and protects against water entering the electronic components, which could cause short circuits or other issues.
Benefits
Effectively removes bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, disinfecting the toy while cleaning it.
Suitable Types
4.Best suited for electronic and sound-producing plush toys, or any toys requiring disinfection. Not suitable for toys that cannot be washed with water or those made of delicate materials.
More Methods of Cleaning Plush Toys
Wiping
Use a soft sponge or clean dry cloth, dampened with a diluted neutral cleaner, to gently wipe the surface of the plush toy and remove stains and dust. After wiping, use a clean cloth dampened with fresh water to wipe the surface of the toy again to remove any remaining cleaner, preventing skin irritation or damage to the toy's material.
Dry Cleaning
Professional Dry Cleaning: Take the plush toy to a professional dry cleaner. Dry cleaners typically use specialized equipment and gentle dry cleaning agents, effectively removing dirt and grease from the toy without using water. This method is suitable for plush toys made of delicate materials that cannot be washed with water, such as those containing wool, silk, or complex decorations.
Home Dry Cleaning: Purchase a dry cleaning agent specifically designed for plush toys from an online specialty store. To use, spray the dry cleaning agent evenly onto the surface of the plush toy, let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then gently wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth to absorb and remove dirt and any remaining dry cleaning agent.
Sun Drying
Place the plush toy in direct sunlight to use ultraviolet rays to kill bacteria and dust mites on the surface and inside the toy, improving its hygiene. When sun drying, ensure the toy is outdoors, and sunlight directly hits the toy’s surface. If the toy is placed behind glass, the effectiveness of the ultraviolet disinfection will be greatly reduced. This method is best for light-colored plush toys, as some dark-colored toys may fade under direct sunlight. It is recommended to sun the toy for 2-3 hours, flipping it periodically for even exposure. Afterward, gently pat the toy to remove surface dust, making it fluffier and softer.
Disinfection
For older plush toys, the surface and interior tend to accumulate more bacteria, and simply rinsing with water may not be enough to achieve cleanliness. Add an appropriate amount of disinfectant cleaner, such as a laundry disinfectant or a laundry powder or liquid with disinfectant properties, to cold or lukewarm water and soak the toy for cleaning. It is important to avoid using hot water to prevent damaging the toy’s material. After cleaning, gently pat the toy during the drying process to restore the fluffiness of the filling, making both the surface and the filling softer and helping the toy regain its original shape.
In conclusion
Taking proper care of your plush toys not only helps preserve their appearance but also ensures their longevity and hygiene. Whether through machine washing, hand washing, or non-water-based cleaning methods like dry cleaning and sun drying, there are various ways to maintain the softness, fluffiness, and cleanliness of your beloved toys. By following the right cleaning techniques and using suitable products, you can keep your plush toys in excellent condition, extending their life and keeping them safe for use. Proper storage and regular maintenance will also help retain their charm and comfort for years to come.
If you're interested in custom plush toys, feel free to reach out with your inquiry, and we'll be happy to bring your ideas to life!
Post time: May-05-2025
