Can you wash stuffed animals in the washing machine?

[VivaciousJewelz]

Hi!

So, I got a lot of free stuffed animals from freecycle since I'm collecting toys for my baby (it's early, but I believe in being overly prepared) and I was wondering what the best way to clean them is.

Can I wash them in the washing machine on the gentle cycle? And (if so) should I use warm or cold water?

If not, what is the best way to wash them?

Thanks!

[TheWoman]

I wouldn't give my baby a used stuffed animal if it hadn't been washed in the machine. Even if you give the baby new stuffed animals they will get spit up on, thrown up on, or have strained peas mashed into the fur and "surface washing" just doesn't cut it.


I wash stuffed animals all the time as long as they don't have any electric parts. I just toss them in with the rest of my laundry. Only once has it ruined an animal and that was because I dried it on high heat so I wouldn't reccomend that, though most animals can handle it. There is, of course, a risk of ruining it, but I don't want any stuffed animals in my house that can't be washed so it is not a big risk for me.

[mama22qts]

Honestly, I wouldn't give used stuffed animals to my baby. Even if you wash them, you never know what's in the stuffing. I know it's gross, but what if urine or something soaked in to the stuffing? You might wash it, but who knows if all the bacteria were killed?

I totally understand being prepared, but I would not do that.

If you decide to go ahead, you have to use HOT water, as hot as you can get it. You gotta make every effort to kill any bacteria that might be in the stuffing.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.:frown:

[zoeys_mom]

I wash on gentle cycle in a pillow case.

[VivaciousJewelz]

Great thanks!

[JANE4girls]

"IF" you are going to give your baby used stuffed animals, I would do what pp said and use HOT water.

I will wash my kids stuffed animals every so often (asthma) and have never had problems with them.

I DO NOT put them in the dryer though, just let them dry outside in the sun.

[Doreen]

Oxy Powder is a girl's best friend in the laundry room :)

It's great even in front loaders. I am just sayin'...for that sweet baby.

[buddysmom]

I never accepted used stuffed animals for the same reasons as previous posters mentioned.
If you decide to wash stuffed toys, its also important to make sure they are thoroughly dried all the way. If the inside remains damp, it can easily mildew.

[lisa10091963]

You will be washing you child's stuffed animals regularly in the years to come...when they have colds, soak right through the diaper and everything in the crib is tagged, just yuckies from carrying it around everywhere. Pooh Bear "gets a bath" every time we do the bedding.

[shelleyf]

My washer has a hand-washable cycle that is great. BUT when my kids were little I only gave them used stuffed animals 2 times. For some reason whoever had them had LICE and my kids got it! No way ever again did I try that. I had got them at Good Will and they appeared clean, but evidently they were not.