Do you (or your family) have plushies that you have cherished for a long time?
I do. And I want them to be with me for a long time even if they get dirty or cannot stand by themselves anymore.
Whether you are a child or an adult, you may try to stay with your besties longer by cleaning and fixing them instead of buying new ones.It would be really sad if we had to let them go because they were too dirty or completely broken from not cleaning or fixing them at all.
In this article, I will introduce how to clean and fix your cherished stuffed animals properly based on their condition.
I highly recommend that you identify what kind of issues your plush toys have. Is it stains or smells? Is it dirty because of your sweat or specific ink from your pen? There are several ways to clean them based on the kinds of issues.
If you need not only cleaning but also restoring, you should understand what kinds of problems your plushies have.Do they have a hole somewhere? Are some parts lost?
The most common issues are heavy or light stains on their fur, matted fur, split seams, and loose parts.
Most issues start from getting stains and smells on the fur by spilling drinks or food on them.
If they are light stains, there is an easy way to remove them without using water.
You need to identify the issue and take the correct way to fix it.
If your plush toys are made of delicate materials or only have light stains, we highly recommend you use baking soda.
Simple 2 Steps to clean using baking soda:
1. Put 2~3 tablespoons of baking soda powder and your stuffed animals into a plastic bag together and shake it gently to coat them thoroughly.
2. Leave it as it is for 30 minutes to 1 hour and brush off the baking soda.
3. That’s it! Dry cleaning makes your stuffed animals feel smooth, removing unpleasant smells and dullness.
Spot cleaning with kitchen mild detergent is very useful for daily hand grease and body oil.
Simple 2 steps of spot cleaning:
1. Dip a towel into water mixed with a few drops of mild detergent, wring it out thoroughly, and gently dab at the stain.
2. Wipe the detergent off with a water-dampened, tightly wrung-out towel, and dry-wipe it before air-drying in the shade.
If it’s difficult to remove stubborn stains with mild detergent, try to use liquid oxygen bleach (such as Wide Haiter) for soaking or repeated spot washing.
Do not rub too hard, as it may damage the fabric.
If it doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to consult a professional cleaning store.
You can dramatically improve matted fur by brushing and using a softener spray, which is good for preventing static electricity.
Friction between fibers, static electricity, and body oils are the main causes of matted fur.
Using slicker brushes for dogs and cats, untangle the fur from the tips to the roots. The order is important. Start from the tips, then move to the middle and roots.
It is also a good idea to brush against the grain to add air, and then groom the fur, which makes your plush toys more fluffy.
Spraying with softener mixed with warm water before brushing makes it easy to untangle the fur because it makes the fibers slide smoothly against each other.
How to do:
1. Mix 200ml warm water with a 1/2 teaspoon of fabric softener in a spray bottle and shake it well.
2. Spray your stuffed animals from 8 to 12 inches (20~30cm) away (lightly misting the whole surface without over-wetting).
3. Brush as we talked about in the previous section. The softener creates a coating on your toys and prevents static electricity and future matting.
Stuffed animal fur is made of synthetic fibers such as acrylic or polyester, which have the same properties as human hair (like wigs). If softener spray doesn’t work, a silicone-containing hair conditioner is effective.
How to do:
1. Mix warm water with a small amount (1~2 pumps) of hair conditioner in a washbowl.
2. Soak the plushie in the water and gently massage it or apply it to the rough areas.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water and towel-dry enough.
4. Air-dry in the shade.
5. Finally, brush the fur to finish.
You can solve rips and loose seams on your stuffed animals if you just learn one hand-sewing method: the ladder stitch. You can fix them like new without visible seams.
Prepare sewing thread that has the same color as your plush toy, and a hand-sewing needle. Insert the needle slightly before the ripped area, and hide the knot inside the fabric (on the stuffing side).
Catch a few millimeters of fabric on the right side of the gap, then do the same directly on the left side, repeating this back and forth. The thread will look like a ladder.
Every 4 to 5 stitches, gently pull the thread. The two sides of the fabric will come together, and the thread will be pulled inside, making it invisible.
Once you reach the end of the rip, make a knot. Insert the needle right at the base of the knot and bring it out a short distance away. Pull the thread lightly and snip it close to the fabric, so the knot slips inside.
Even nearly torn-off parts can be fixed by applying the ladder stitch.
Hold the wobbly part firmly by its base in the position where you want to secure it.
Repeat “catch the body fabric” then “catch the loose part fabric” in a circle around the base.
Finally, pull the thread tight. This will eliminate any wobbliness and firmly secure the base.
If a plastic eye is loose, either the safety washer inside has slipped out of place or the fabric has stretched.
Use scissors to make a small cut (just a few millimeters) right next to the eye in an inconspicuous spot, so you can access the inside of the plushie.
Move the stuffing aside slightly, then snap the backing washer back onto the eye stem until it clicks into place. If the washer is broken, apply fabric glue or hot glue around the base of the stem to bond it directly to the fabric.
Close the cut using the ladder stitch mentioned above for a clean finish.
When you wash stuffed animals that babies or pets might put in their mouths or cuddle, the most important points are “ingredient safety” and “thorough rinsing and drying.”
Especially for dogs, they have an extremely sharp sense of smell, so strong scents that humans find pleasant can cause them high stress.
Follow these 5 tips to select the right detergent and care method:
・Select “unscented” or “baby/pet-safe” detergent
・Do not use commercial fabric softeners (as a rule)
・Use special non-alcohol spray for daily disinfection
・Double the rinse cycle when you use a washing machine
・Beware of dampness (ensure 100% dry)
Read our “The Best Baby-Safe Laundry Detergents for Cleaning Plush Toys” for more information.
All stuffed toys look the same! Many people might say this, but the answer is “No.”
The fineness and delicacy of the fibers used are totally different depending on the brand.
While general stuffed animals are designed to withstand some friction, premium brands require special care.
In particular, popular brands like Jellycat use extremely delicate, high-density ultrafine polyester fibers to achieve that “miraculous softness.” Therefore, if you throw them into a washing machine like other sturdy plushies or use strong detergent, that charming fluffy feel will be lost in an instant.
For more details on specialized care and how to wash a Jellycat, take a look at “How to Wash a Jellycat Safely Without Ruining Its Soft Fur.”
What to prepare:
・A washbowl or bucket (large enough to fit your stuffed animal)
・Safe detergent (baby detergent or liquid mild detergent for delicate clothes)
・Citric acid or vinegar (1/2 teaspoon as a substitute for fabric softener)
・A large dry towel
6 Steps to wash by hand:
Fill a basin with lukewarm water (around 30°C/86°F) and mix in a small amount of mild detergent. Gently submerge the plushie in the water.
Gently press down on the plushie and release, repeating this motion over and over.
⚠️ DO NOT: Twist, wring, or scrub the plushie. This will damage the fabric and cause the stuffing to clump.
Drain the dirty water, refill the basin with clean water, and press-wash again to rinse. Repeat this 3 to 4 times with fresh water until no soap bubbles come out and the water stays completely clear.
In the final rinse water, dissolve about 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid (or white vinegar) and soak the plushie for about 1 minute.
💡 Tip: This neutralizing step softens the fur naturally without using harsh chemical fabric softeners.
Gently press out excess water, then wrap the plushie tightly in a large dry towel. Hug and press gently so the towel absorbs the moisture.
💡 Using a Washing Machine: Put the plushie in a laundry net and run a gentle spin cycle for only 30 to 60 seconds to remove water safely without losing its shape.
While the fur is still wet, gently comb it with a soft toothbrush or brush to prevent it from getting stiff when dry. Lay it flat to air-dry in a well-ventilated shade until it is completely dry all the way inside (this may take 1 to 2 days).
Washing your stuffed animals might take a little effort, but it is actually not that difficult.
Be sure to give your loved one’s cherished companion regular care, and enjoy growing together for years to come!
The Soft Toy Clinic
978 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L2, Canada
