Washing Soft Toys

[Mumma22beautifulgirls]

Hello, sorry if this seems like a silly question but my DD who is 4 has a soft toy (it's a cat) that she takes eeeeeeverywhere, and it is starting to show, it is filthy! She is very attached to it, but it needs a clean. I was thinking of putting it in the washing machine, but I am scared that it wont last the wash. And I am not sure she would cope with the loss of it right now. Am I okay to put it through, or does anyone have any suggestions on how I can give it a clean. Thanks for any ideas!!!

[Aligater]

try putting in a wash bag or knotted pillowcase and only wash on gentle Thats what I do to toys here and some are MY toys from childhood they still look good

[Saffi]

I would soak it overnight in nappy-san and then put it in the machine. Maybe check for any splitting seams etc and do some surgery if needed before washing.

[Amaunet]

Definitely put it in a pillow case!

I learnt this the hard way

[Mumma22beautifulgirls]

Thank you for your suggestions. I hadn't thought about the pillow case or the laundry bag or thought of Nappy San, all great great ideas. Thanks, so glad I turned to here for some thoughts. I am far from a Domestic Goddness, so this place is a lifesaver.

[Cranky Kitten]

Tee hee, also stops her from doing what my DD when I washed her favourite Pink Ted...I have one of those front loader washing machines with a glass door - she spent the entire cycle watching it go around and around.

[Rouge]

Shannon Lush (from Speed Clean fame) recommends the following when cleaning stuffed toys:

Shannon Lush reveals how to clean soft toys and teddy bears the natural way.

1. First put the toys in the freezer overnight. This will kill microscopic bugs and dust mites.
2. Then make up a bran cleaner. Bran is a gentle abrasive and an absorbent that has been used as a cleaner for centuries (it was used to clean tapestries in the middle ages).

Shannon’s bran cleaner is made of 3 cups of unprocessed wheat bran. Pour the mixture into a clean cloth bag (a pillowslip works well) and put the toys in before giving it a good shake. It’s best to head outside so you don’t make a mess in the house. Once the toys have been well and truly coated in the bran mix – take them out and brush them off with a clean, firm brush (Shannon uses a scrubbing brush).

[Yeddi]

I would be careful with the Nappysand - it has bleach in it which might not fair too well with some toys. I soak toys in the bath with eco brand whitener, does just as good job (if not better) without any bleaching agents, and then just put them in the washing machine for the rinse and spin.

[Life is Good]

I would also be careful of the Napisan, especially with precious fabrics (the bleach can weaken the fabric and the stitching over time). What I do is put DS's bear in a delicates bag on a delicate cycle with Canestan anti-bacterial in the final rinse to kill all the nasties.

[Mumma22beautifulgirls]

I haven't got around to doing it yet. But I had worried about the Nappy San and what sort of impact it would have on the colour, because she would notice!!

Cranky Kitten - I laughed at your story. I could just see DD doing the same thing, but reading about your DD cracked me up. I had never thought about using the Washing Machine as an Entertainment tool for her. I think she would tell me off though!

Thanks Rouge, that is a great idea about putting it in the Freezer first. Might look into that Bran Cleaner. Thanks!!!