How to Wash Stuffed Animals

If I had to count the combined total of stuffed animals that exist between my two kids, it would be somewhere in the hundreds. My 7-year-old and, yes, even my 13-year-old truly love their “buddies,” and have no plans of ever letting them go. But sometimes, these buddies can fall victim to the realities of life (read: getting dropped in puddles, peed on, barfed on, and otherwise loved until they no longer resemble their fluffy, formerly clean selves). 

But laundering stuffed animals can be a fraught experience because we all know that if something goes wrong, our kiddos will be devastated. The stakes are high! Fortunately, there are some guidelines that can help caregivers get it right so we can restore lovies to their former glory with minimal disturbance.

If you’re lucky, your child’s stuffed animal may have care instructions right on the tag. If so, check the tag to see if the toy can be washed and what the preferred cleaning method is — by hand or machine — and then wash and dry accordingly. Never dry-clean stuffed animals.

Spot-treatment can be a smart approach for stuffed animals that contain electronics, sequins, foam ball filling, or other small parts that could be easily damaged by soaking in water. Also, if you’re dealing with just one or two small blemishes, spot-treating can address the problem without damaging the rest of the stuffed animal. Use a mild detergent and a damp washcloth to dab the area to remove the stain, and then allow it to air dry.

If the care tag on the stuffed animal says it can be machine washed, launder the toy in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Some stuffed animals may also be dried in the dryer — still in the mesh bag to prevent damage — on a low heat setting.

While some stuffed animals may be laundered in the washing machine, if it’s a particularly well-loved buddy, it may be safer to wash by hand and air dry. To do so, fill a sink or bucket with warm water, and add a mild detergent. Swish the toy around in the water to loosen dirt, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Use a towel to gently press out excess water and then place on a drying rack to air dry.

After being so well-loved, stuffed animals can sometimes take on some unpleasant odors. To remove them safely, place the toy in a large plastic storage bag with a scoop of baking soda, and shake it up to cover the stuffed animal. Allow the toy to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then remove from the bag, shaking off the excess baking soda. You can use a vacuum with the brush attachment to remove any remaining baking soda on the toy before putting it back in your child’s loving arms.