Can you wash pillows and stuffed animals?

[Dreams4us4]

My son has a stuffed puppy (feels like beads and plush inside) he is reallllly soft on the outside. He is in need of a major bath, just not sure how. Do I put it in a pillow case, do I use the dryer?

Help puppy is not only dirty but he is becoming smelly now!!

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I would put it in a laundry mesh bag (like for delicates) or a pillow case (if you can close it) but DON'T put him in the dryer. We've had a few 'super-fluffies' ruined because the fur will get matted in the dryer.

If he's not soft and fluffy after he dries, put him in the fluff setting of the dryer for a couple of minutes (no heat) or fluff him with a hair dryer on LOW, at a good distance.

[puakinikini]

I second Cynthiabutterfly's suggestions - I would also wash in Woolite on the delicate cycle with cold water - definitely use a bag of some sort (pillowcase will work).

I once wrote to Gund about washing a favorite teddy bear and that was the advice they gave me.

[SchwoomsMom]

Does it have any directions at all? I know some of the stuffed animals say that you can't fully immerse them.

I got some teletubbies off freecycle, and they came dirty, but you can't "wash" them. I took a soapy sponge and scrubbed every surface, and rinsed it good, then threw it in the dryer under air dry. (I also had left it tied up in a plastic bag for 2 weeks before I washed it, to make sure any lice/bugs were killed...)

Other option, is if you know the mfr of it, contact them via email, and just ask. They will be happy to provide washing instructions.

HTH!

[Dreams4us4]

Thanks for the responses, the only thing the tag says is: contents polyester fibers and plastic beans.

The hard part is going to be getting it away from him to wash. Think I'll go with the pillowcase wash and leave him out to dry in the sun.

[ema]

We have one that says it shouldn't be washed in the washer, so we just use put some Dreft in a bowl, get it all sudsy, and then use a washcloth on the stuffed animal, either air drying or low setting on the hair dryer. Good luck - we wait until dd is asleep and then clean it!

[couponfanatic]

I wash ours all the time.
Standard cycle, standard detergent, standard drying, w/ fabric softener.
If kid in question is old enough to understand/get upset, tell them that its just like an amusement park for the stuffed animals. Water slides in the washer, and regular rides in the dryer.

I don't use a pillow case, and I do wash them with regular clothes.

[TheWoman]

I wash ours all the time.
Standard cycle, standard detergent, standard drying, w/ fabric softener.
If kid in question is old enough to understand/get upset, tell them that its just like an amusement park for the stuffed animals. Water slides in the washer, and regular rides in the dryer.

I don't use a pillow case, and I do wash them with regular clothes.

I wash stuffed animals all the time too. I have only ruined one--the hair got matted and kind of fused together in the dryer. To be safe, don't use the dryer.

I do not agree with telling the kid it is like an amusement park for the animals. I am just picturing him later putting a real animal in the washer trying to give it a fun ride.

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I wash stuffed animals all the time too. I have only ruined one--the hair got matted and kind of fused together in the dryer. To be safe, don't use the dryer.

I do not agree with telling the kid it is like an amusement park for the animals. I am just picturing him later putting a real animal in the washer trying to give it a fun ride.

Um, I have to agree. Ours get washed after the littlest ones are asleep (or naptime). I just have to keep enough "lovies" in rotation so they don't miss the one in question.