Washing a teddy bear

There's probably no home without at least one soft toy. A traditional home accessory like a teddy bear will never go out of use. Like all things, a stuffed animal requires care. Over time, dirt and dust accumulate, and harmful bacteria and dust mites breed within it, causing undesirable health consequences when they enter the human body. So, how do you properly wash a teddy bear without ruining its appearance?

Automatic cleaning

This method can be used to wash durable soft toys with short pile, which do not pose a risk of damaging decorative elements (rhinestones, beads, bows). It is better to use washing detergents (powder, conditioner) intended for children's clothes or for delicate, woolen fabrics. Plush toy tags usually include the manufacturer's recommended care instructions, which should be followed. If you don't have the necessary information, the following instructions will help.

1. To prevent the toy from fading during washing, add ½ teaspoon of citric acid to the washing powder.
2. If small parts of your teddy bear (eyes, nose, or decorations) fall off, place it in a special bag or pillowcase for washing. This way, any parts that fall off due to mechanical impact won't get lost in the washing machine and damage the machine.
3. Choose a delicate wash program or a hand wash cycle; for larger animals, the “Down Blanket” program is suitable.
4. The processing temperature should not be higher than 40⁰C; time – no more than 1 hour.
5. To prevent soft items from becoming deformed, their automatic spin speed should not exceed 600-800 rpm.

It's best to dry your teddy bear outdoors or in a draft, placing it on a thick, absorbent cloth. To prevent fading, avoid drying it in direct sunlight. With gentle care, your teddy bear will become soft, vibrant, fresh, and safe again.

We wash it in the traditional way

Sometimes there's a risk of damaging a stuffed animal or its valuable components during automatic cleaning. In this case, it's safer to wash your favorite stuffed animal by hand. This way, you can control every movement, focusing your efforts on specific areas and protecting individual components from excessive mechanical stress. For hand washing, you'll need:

• shampoo (preferably for children);
• a soft clothes brush or sponge;
• wipes made of moisture-absorbing fabric (preferably microfiber);
• hair dryer.

The key to hand-washing a plush toy is that it doesn't soak water into the item. It should be gently wiped with a sponge or brush dipped in warm water and diluted shampoo, removing any dirt. After working each small section, immediately wipe it with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture. After cleaning the entire surface of the stuffed animal, it's best to dry it with a hairdryer.

Important! When hand washing your teddy bear, do not pour water on it.

What if you can't get it wet?

Certain types of soft toys, including those with long pile, cannot be washed with water at all. Manufacturers simply rule this out. In such cases, dry washing is used.

To do this, place the toy in a regular plastic bag with 2/3 cup of baking soda. Shake the bag tightly for about 10 minutes to ensure the baking soda evenly coats the entire surface of the teddy bear. Afterward, remove it and vacuum until the baking soda has completely removed the surface. By this time, the baking soda will have absorbed the dirt and disinfected the stuffed animal to some extent.

Airing the toy outside for an hour will consolidate and improve the results, restoring its freshness and additionally destroying bacteria that are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.

Freezing soft toys monthly can also help kill parasites. To do this, place them in a bag in the freezer overnight. This kills the pests, which are sensitive to low temperatures.

A vacuum cleaner can be an effective way to remove dust from your stuffed animal. To prevent the toy from acting as a filter during the automatic suction process, it's best to place the bear in a bag. Then insert the vacuum cleaner's hose, pressing the ends of the bag firmly against it with your hand, and turn on the vacuum cleaner at any power setting. Regular use of this cleaning method, in combination with other cleaning methods, will help keep your teddy bear clean and pleasant to the touch for longer.

   

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