How to Wash Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals can have a real hard life. Think of that old family favorite used as a cushion by everyone, including the pets! It's no wonder they get dirty and grimy.

Stuffed animals should be washed regularly—in fact, they should be cleaned immediately if someone in your home has had an illness and come into contact with the toy.

This article covers everything you need to know about washing stuffed animals, including whether you can put them in the washing machine and the dryer.

Can You Wash a Stuffed Animal in the Washing Machine?

You can wash most stuffed animals in the machine. However, don't make this assumption. Before closing the machine door on a stuffed animal favorite, you should do several things routinely:

What to Do Before Cleaning Stuffed Animals

1. Check the care label. The label on old, much-loved toys may have faded or disintegrated, but you can still evaluate whether they're machine washable. Stuffed toys must have a label in the US, but it varies from state to state.
2. Assess the toy. Are there any plastic parts typically found on toys like Beanie Babies? The toy may have several materials, some of which are machine washable and others are not.
3. Check for loose parts and any electronics. Remove or secure anything loose and take out electronic components.
4. Test the colors, especially if you have never washed the animal. Spot test a hidden area with a clean white cloth dampened with water to see if any color lifts. If the toy isn’t color-fast, you may want to wash it with water only and no detergent to protect the toy from fading.

How to Wash a Stuffed Animal

Prepare the Animal

Secure or remove any loose parts and take out any electronic components.

Treat stains with a pre-treatment and a soft brush. A handy home remedy is baking soda mixed with distilled white vinegar.

Place the animal in a mesh laundry bag or a secure pillowcase to protect against damage from the washer drum.

Add the Detergent

Washing stuffed animals usually requires a mild detergent to protect them, either because the animal is an old family favorite or because it's an important cuddle buddy.

Choose a mild detergent product or use Freddielaundry detergent sheets.

Freddie laundry detergent sheets provide a convenient cleaning solution for laundering a stuffed animal. Free from chemicals like dyes, phosphates, parabens, or 1,4-dioxane, our sheets protect people while still being designed to remove dirt and grime without harsh ingredients.

Do you need to wash your stuffed animal on a cool cycle? No problem. Freddie laundry sheets work at all temperatures and dissolve in seconds, even in tepid or cold water.

You may also want to add a laundry sanitizer to kill germs.

Choose your Wash Program

Most machine-washable stuffed animals should be laundered at cool temperatures, particularly if they have glued-on eyes. Hot washes can also discolor the fur. Choose a cycle for delicates or hand-washing.

If anyone in your home has had head lice, you've no option but to use hot water. Lice won't survive long away from a human host and cannot lay new eggs or hatch on a stuffed animal. However, you may want to wash it to put your mind at rest.

Air Dry

Check the care label and only use the dryer if the manufacturer states the animal is safe on a low-heat cycle. Otherwise, air dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated room and ensure the animal is completely dry to avoid mildew and mold.

You can hang the animal or dry flat on a towel on a surface or rack. Massage the stuffing first to ensure it's evenly distributed. If the toy is fluffy, you can use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to restore the pile.

How to Wash a Stuffed Animal by Hand

Hand washing is an option for older animals whose care labels are unreadable or have disintegrated, or for delicate toys.

You'll need to use a gentle cleaning solution, and our laundry sheets are perfect for this task. They dissolve in seconds, even in cool or cold water, and you can tear them to adjust the dose. ¼ or 1/3 of a sheet, or half a sheet for a larger animal, will be enough.

Submerge the animal in the water and gently squeeze to saturate it with the soapy water. Massage the water into the fur and work your fingers over areas that are particularly dirty or stained.

To rinse the toy, drain and refill the sink or bowl with clean water. Rinse until all the water runs clear from the fabric. Then, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible. You can use a towel to help with this.

Ensure the stuffing is even throughout the animal's body, and then air dry flat. You can use direct sunlight to help, unless the toy is faded.

Considerations for Washing Stuffed Animals

1. Wash stuffed animals monthly, or more frequently if they get filthy or someone in your household has been ill.
2. Always start by reading the care label. If the label has worn away, you'll need to make a sensible judgment based on the animal's materials.
3. Never submerge electronic toys in water. If you can, remove the electronic components. If not, you'll need to sponge clean the toy, ensuring you don't use too much water. Isolate and wrap any electronic parts in a small, dry cloth or towel. Create a laundry detergent mix and gently dab the animal. Use a freshly rinsed and wrung-out cloth to wipe away any detergent.
4. Vintage animals or super delicate toys may only withstand a spot clean on visibly dirty areas. If the toy is very old or antique, seek specialist advice on how to clean it. Professional cleaners can advise on cleaning and repairs.
5. If the stuffed animal is a cuddle buddy, your biggest challenge is accessing the toy without creating a problem. Nighttime is often the best opportunity.
6. Regular care of your stuffed animals will make it easier to wash them and may allow you to increase the intervals between washings. Use a soft brush to remove surface dust, and periodically, pop the animal outside in the sunshine to keep it fresh. It will stay much cleaner if you keep the toy out of the kitchen, but still inside the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Keep Stuffed Animals Fluffy After Washing?

Flat fur is not a good look, so once the animal is nearly dry, gently fluff the fabric using a brush and hair dryer on a low heat setting. Removing as much excess water as possible before drying will also prevent the hair from clumping.

Can Stuffed Animals Be Put in the Dryer?

Only if the care label says you can, always follow the recommended temperature settings. You can start the animal in the dryer for 15-20 minutes and then finish by air drying in a well-lit and well-ventilated area. Make sure you massage the stuffing so that it's even before you start the drying process.

Final Thoughts

Stuffed animals experience a lot of wear and tear. Whether they sit on a shelf or are handled daily, it’s important to keep them clean. While most stuffed animals are washable, older toys or those with electronic components may need extra care.

Whatever way you wash your stuffed animal, Freddie laundry detergent sheets offer a gentle machine and hand washing solution. They're compatible with all washers and formulated without dyes, phosphates, parabens, or 1,4-dioxane, so you can avoid certain ingredients commonly found in traditional detergents. Our mission is to bring convenient laundry to all while minimizing environmental impact and delivering thorough cleaning.