How to Wash Soft Toys at Home: A Complete Guide

Soft toys hold an incredible power to give us memories for a lifetime. Kids today love to play with soft toys as they join emotions with these cute plushies. However, soft toys can easily catch dust or stains from unexpected situations can be tricky to understand the correct washing procedure; hence, we are here with a complete guide on how to wash soft toys at home. The methods mentioned below are general washing guidelines. Note that some soft toys require a different method hence, read the washing instruction and follow the same. 

 

Method 1: Washing by Hand

Certain handmade soft toys require washing by hand due to the soft fabric and delicate stitching. It can be a confusing process how to wash soft toys at home. However, follow this guide to ease your washing process.

Step 1: Submerge the toy

The guide on how to wash soft toys begins by filling a massive tub with normal water. A tub gives more space for the toy compared to a bucket. Next, submerge the toy into the water and squeeze small parts to remove the surface dust. Do the same step 2-3 times before cleaning soft toys.

 

Step 2: Add Detergent and Scrub

Once you have removed the grime from the surface of soft toys, add a mild detergent to the water. 

Use your hand to start cleaning soft toys. Soak for around 10 minutes and begin scrubbing small areas to remove stains, dirt and dust from the toy. 

 

Step 3: Drip Dry

Before dripping, rinse your soft toys atleast 2 to 3 times with water for deep cleaning.

Once you can spot the difference between fresh color and dirt in the water, you can begin with the dry process. 

Gently squeeze the soft toys to remove excess water from the fur and fabric. 

Since handmade toys are made with extreme care, do not twist or wring toys to remove water. 

Hang the toys in a well-ventilated area with shade and allow them to dry for a couple of days.

 

Method 2: Washing Machine

You can use a washing machine to wash your handmade soft toys. 

However, you need to check if it is a delicate toy or has any electrical equipment for sound or light. 

In such cases, a washing machine is not preferable for cleaning. As Eddie Teddie toys are completely handmade, we request you to not use a washing machine for these cuties!

 

Step 1: Check for Pre-stains

Remove the pre-stains on your handmade soft toys. 

Any stain due to food product or spilling can be removed with a mild detergent. 

Apply laundry detergent to the stain before the washing procedure. 

 

Step 2: Check for tears

Cleaning soft toys is undoubtedly tricky if you miss an essential step!

Before washing the toy, check the entire soft toy for tears.

If the toy is torn from a particular area, make sure to stitch it before putting it in the washing machine.

 

Step 3: Use a zippered pillowcase

To begin cleaning soft toys, put the toy in a zippered pillowcase.

This step ensures minimal damage to the fur and fabric of the toy. 

 

Step 4: Wash in Cold Cycle

Handmade soft toys can be best washed in the cold cycle in a washing machine. 

It is advisable to use a mild detergent to avoid damaging the soft fabric. 

 

Step 5: Let it Dry

Once cleaning soft toys is completed, it is time to air dry them.

Use a cloth to dry the surface moisture. Once you have dried the surface well, hand your soft toys in a well-ventilated area. 

Allow the toys to dry and check for any lumps within thoroughly. 

 

Our guide on how to wash soft toys is a complete combination of our personal experience and soft toy care. We are more than happy to receive your input for the same!