How to clean soft toys from dirt. How to clean soft toys without washing

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Soft toys are faithful companions for children. But they are not just for children. Many adults become passionate and collect teddy bears, dogs, and other animals. They are pleasant and create a relaxing atmosphere in the home. But... This is a trap for dust and other troubles such as mites. Fortunately, there is a way to take care of them.

Expert opinion

Natalya Osadchaya

Cleaning company employee

Maintenance should be carried out depending on use, approximately once every 3 months. There are many ways to clean a stuffed toy. But it is important to clean it correctly. First, read the label - it will provide basic information about cleaning options.

Read the label on the product to see if washing is an appropriate cleaning option. If not, try the following tips.

Do not wash a plush toy if it:

contains a gaming mechanism;
too old, fragile;
filled with small foam balls;
Contains glitter and other solid parts.

If washing is prohibited, be sure to follow this rule. Otherwise, after cleansing, you risk getting irreparably damaged plush. Your soft pet will look like Mr. Bean's bear. You can clean a soft toy that cannot be washed using the dry method or by wiping damp sponge.

Removing dust without washing is done with a sponge and soap foam. Soak a sponge in water with a cleaning agent, wipe the dirty area or the entire surface, and leave for half an hour. Clean with a damp sponge. Dry.

Soda

This method is suitable for cleaning old, fragile soft toys that can be damaged in the wash.

For cleaning, use any absorbent powder, such as soda.

Sprinkle a large amount of baking soda onto the stain, leave for an hour, and rinse with warm water. If you want to clean the entire toy, put it in a bag with baking soda, leave for 1 hour, and vacuum well to remove any remaining powder. You can also simply shake the bag vigorously without letting the soda act - during shaking it will absorb all the dirt.

Important! In addition to its cleansing properties, soda is considered a natural deodorant that can remove all odors.

If the product cannot be washed, or it is simply not dirty, but you are afraid of bacteria or mites that can cause allergies, simply freeze it for 24 hours. Frost kills most pathogens, similar to boiling. First, clean your favorite bear with a vacuum cleaner and pack it in a bag. Then place in the freezer. In winter, a large soft toy can be frozen on the balcony.

Starch

A good method for cleaning items that cannot be washed is using potato starch. The cleansing procedure is similar to cleaning with soda:

Place the product in a bag or trash bag.
Sprinkle with starch (½ cup for 2-3 medium or 1 large bear).
Tie it, shake it.
Remove the toy (it is advisable to do this in the bath), remove the starch with a vacuum cleaner.

When using a vacuum cleaner, it is recommended to use the minimum intensity of the device so as not to unnecessarily “injure” the eyes, nose, and other parts of the stuffed animal. It is also a good idea to replace the regular wide brush used on carpets with a smaller brush head designed for upholstery.

Cleaning stains

If stains appear on a soft surface (this is a common occurrence in homes with small children), do not rush to wash it. A cleaning product works well as a cleaner. upholstered furniture, mainly foam.

If you need to clean an expensive item, first try using the product on an inconspicuous area, checking to see if it disturbs the color, surface texture, etc.

First, remove dust and surface dirt with a vacuum cleaner, then apply cleaning foam to the stains with a brush or sponge, leave to act for about 15 minutes (read the instructions), vacuum again, and brush. Instead of special foam, you can use foam from baby soap.

A good stain remover is vinegar diluted in water 1:1. The effect of the solution also needs to be tested on a hidden area, since the acid can change the shade of a soft surface.

Plush cleaning

Maybe, worst kind toys. Not only do they collect dust, but their “soft coats” are good for wiping a child’s sticky hands... Small children bite them, and when they are sick, they cough and sneeze, ensuring the colonization of their pets with bacteria.

Experts, based on the latest data, warn that up to 80% of soft toys contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning and many other problems. Tests even revealed a very unpleasant and dangerous fact: ¼ of soft pets have traces of stool! Every 5th bear has never been cleaned. Research recently conducted by an antibacterial soap company showed that 90% of children regularly throw toys on the floor, where they collect various contaminants and bacteria. 75% of parents' teddy bears are not cleaned after a child's illness. Of course, in families where great attention is paid to caring for the health of children and the cleanliness of the home, toys of this type are also cleaned more often.

So what to do? Ideally, clean every 2-3 months according to the instructions.

Teddy bears can be cleaned by washing. To do this, it is preferable to use a delicate program ( temperature regime 30 °C). Many mothers successfully wash plush toys even at 40°C.

Important! If the manufacturer has indicated on the label a ban on automatic or hand washing, or other restrictions regarding cleaning (for example, temperature conditions), it is better to follow the recommendations. Otherwise, you risk damaging the surface or filler. This rule applies in particular to toys with batteries.

After washing, it is necessary to dry the teddy bears thoroughly. Most mothers recommend doing this process in the dryer.

Another way to clean a soft toy at home is to clean it with a mild soap solution. This option is especially suitable for products with a mechanism inside. Prepare a solution using baby soap neutral color, soak a sponge in it and clean your bear or dog.

If your stuffed animal has balls inside, prepare a solution of water and shampoo. Create a lot of foam to clean away dirt. Try to wet the soft surface as little as possible. Wipe with a damp cloth, dry with a dry cloth or towel, comb with a brush. If there are stains, apply lemon juice to them and dry them in the sun - the sun's rays will help remove the dirt.

Cleaning felt

For regular felt products:

prepare a solution of water and soap;
squeeze the toy, carefully clean all dirty areas;
moisten the cloth in water, squeeze again, clean off any remaining soap suds;
Dry completely (e.g. on a windowsill).

For products with glued parts:

create a foam from shampoo and water;
Clean the toy with a sponge and foam, wetting it minimally;
wipe with a damp cloth;
wipe with a dry towel;
If the product gets wet, dry it in the dryer.

Important! It is recommended to comb long piles with a brush before or after cleaning. Lemon juice is suitable for removing stains.

Washing rules

Before cleaning a soft toy, much less washing it, read the information on the label regarding cleaning options. Check to see if some parts need to be removed. If you are concerned about individual parts, wash the toy in a laundry bag. The mesh bag provides sufficient protection against pinching and damage in the drum.

Hand washing small, quick-drying items:

Lather up the shampoo in a sink full of water.
Wet the toy for 10 minutes.
Wipe the surface with a brush (if the texture allows).
Rinse, squeeze lightly, hang to dry.

If you need to clean an old (mother's) teddy bear or a toy that requires delicate handling, it is better to use the dry method. Products with built-in electronics, stuffed with foam balls, or containing cardboard or thin plastic parts should also not be wet cleaned.

For dry cleaning you will need:

Absorbent powder. This could be baking soda, cornstarch, or raw wheat germ.
Pillowcase with zipper.

Instructions

Place the toy in the pillowcase. Prepare an absorbent - for toys made of dark fabric it is better to choose raw wheat germ, for products of beige or yellow color- corn starch. For cleaning white toys or, conversely, too bright color It's better to use baking soda.
Fill a large number of powder into the pillowcase, zip up and shake the contents vigorously so that the absorbent is evenly distributed throughout the pile.
After an hour, remove the toy from the pillowcase and remove any remaining powder using a stiff brush. Use a vacuum cleaner if necessary. If the toy is made from delicate fabric or contains a large amount of decor, put a clean sock on the vacuum cleaner nozzle - it will reduce the suction force.

Wet cleaning

Most modern soft toys can be washed by hand or in a washing machine. You can find the relevant recommendations on the product label.

Before you start washing, clean the surface from dust. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner (with a lint-free attachment), a rollerball with adhesive tape, or a barely damp, clean cloth. Then comb the pile with a comb - preferably not the one you use yourself, otherwise residues of hair styling products may get onto the surface.

Before washing, do not forget to remove the electronics from the toy (if possible) and cut off small parts such as buttons, ribbons and bows - such decor can cause damage to the washing machine.

It is better to wash large toys by hand in the bathroom. The same applies to products sewn from different parts or from delicate, thin fabrics. Wash toys in soapy water using a non-toxic baby powder or shampoo. Then rinse them thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent. Wring out the toys first by hand and then in the washing machine.

Into the dryer Stuffed Toys You can’t put them down - after such treatment they may lose their shape forever.

Washing toys in the machine is even easier. Place the item in a pillowcase with a zipper or a special mesh bag and turn on the delicate cycle. Use liquid baby powder or gel - in this form the products are better washed out of the fibers.

Experts recommend cleaning soft toys from dirt and dust at least once every two weeks, especially if the child takes them to bed with him.

Removing stains and odor

It's no secret that over time, even the most expensive soft toys begin to exude bad smell- after all, children often take them with dirty hands, leaving traces of food and drinks on the pile. To disinfect and remove stains, the toy must be soaked in one of these solutions before washing:

Acetic. Pour half a glass of white vinegar into a bowl of warm water and soak the toy in it for one hour.
Alcoholic. Dissolve half a glass of medical alcohol in a quarter glass of water and add 0.5 tbsp to this mixture. l. dishwashing liquid. Apply the mixture topically to remove food and drink stains. Remove any remaining product with a damp cloth.
With ammonia. Mix 3 tbsp. l. dishwashing liquid, 0.25 tsp. ammonia and 200 ml of water. Spray the mixture onto contaminated areas using a spray bottle. Remove any remaining product with a damp cloth or wash the toy as usual.

Toys become human companions literally from the first days of life. While playing, the child gains initial communication skills, which will help him socialize in the future. The first play partners are soft bears, hares and clowns.

Children conduct their first dialogues with them; they are associated with comfort and safety. With such close contact, the cleanliness of your plush friends must be strictly observed.

After all, dust and dirt easily get clogged in artificial fur and fabric, and children often try to taste them. That's why it's so important to clean and wash your stuffed animals regularly.

Main types

The world of toys is wide and varied, like a child’s imagination. There you can meet all kinds of flora and fauna, cartoon and fairy tale characters, even representatives of the automotive industry.

They can be divided into several conditional groups:

educational, include soft books, rugs and small-sized construction sets;
musical, thanks to built-in mechanisms they produce a certain set of words, sounds or melodies;
standard ones, such as stuffed animals, birds or fish;
multifunctional, having in their arsenal sound, light or other types of effects at the same time.

The world of toys is wide and diverse

The selected varieties reflect only part of the world of soft toys. All of them can still be divided by size, relation to different cultures and countries, and materials of manufacture.

Children, as a rule, do not pay attention to these subtleties, limiting themselves to a simple choice: either like it or not. And regardless of the type, all plush products need to be cleaned.

Toys for newborns

In babies under one year of age, immunity is not fully formed. It is necessary to handle everything with which the child has direct contact. This does not mean that the fur bear should be boiled after each fall on the floor. With regular wet cleaning, the floor will be, if not sterile, then clean.

It is enough to adhere to the basic rules for the hygiene of your baby’s plush companions:

Immediately after purchase, you should read the information on the tag. After this it will become clear whether machine and handwash, or dry clean only.
If the product can be washed, you should use baby powder or laundry soap.
In some interactive models, it is possible to remove the mechanism and then return it to its place after washing.
To maintain the richness of the colors and the softness of the pile, you can use baby fabric conditioner.
Electronic mechanisms are disinfected with alcohol or an antibacterial solution, such as chlorhexidine.
Finally, the toys are dried; you can speed up the process with a hairdryer.

In every home there are toys made from fabric materials. Unlike plastic and rubber counterparts, they require special care. You can’t just rinse them out in a basin - the products may lose their attractiveness, fluffiness, and brightness of colors. But also avoid hygiene procedures you can’t - the fabric will take on dirty shades, microbes will accumulate on it, and this is harmful for children who are in close contact with furry friends. In this regard, adults who have transferred household chores to technology are interested in how to wash soft toys in a washing machine correctly?

To wash or not to wash?

Water treatments are a mandatory event in the life of any soft bear or stuffed elephant. Moreover, they need them quite often. Such products cannot be called hygienic. They are cute, beautiful, but how dirty they are! Their soft bodies are a real “pasture” for germs and dust mites. Unwashed, they can pose a danger to children. To make sure that an item is allowed to be washed, look at the label or packaging. A responsible manufacturer will always indicate this point. If washing is prohibited, think about whether it’s worth buying such a thing?

Hand washing is the most gentle, but requires time and effort. Is it possible to wash plush products in an automatic washing machine (CMA)? It is possible if the manufacturer allows it and the user follows the washing instructions for printed fabric products.

When is a washing machine contraindicated?

Do not load into the drum:

toys that have overhead elements - buttons or eyes may fall off when rotating in the drum;
those that do not fit into the drum - a large soft toy will have to be “bathed” manually in a basin;
musical toys - they contain electronic filling inside them, which will deteriorate after contact with water;
woolen, linen, toys made from other natural fabrics - they do not tolerate machine washing well, become deformed and lose their attractiveness;
filled with natural filling - buckwheat husk, sawdust, feathers.

Preparation

Before loading into the drum, inspect the applicants for a bath to see if they have any torn parts, poorly held buttons, or holes from which the stuffing is peeking out.
If you use special laundry bags, you can even load into the drum those hares and bears that have sewn or glued fittings.
To wash those who speak, sing or make other sounds, you will have to rip them open and take out all the stuffing - the batteries and the sound module. Then they sew up the hole, and only then put the toy in the drum.
If there are obvious contaminants on the bodies of toy creatures, they need to be treated detergent. Soap or hair shampoo will do. Let them sit in a soapy state, then gently scrub with a brush. This “soaking” increases the chances of high-quality washing.

Cleaning and washing methods

In addition to radical washing methods, there are more gentle options for less severe stains. The following are manual and automated cleaning methods.

Cleaning with soda

Small stains can be easily cleaned with baking soda. One or more “bathers” are placed in a bag, a pack of soda is poured into it and shaken for several minutes. Next, the toy characters are removed and shaken so that the soda crumbles. It is advisable to use a vacuum cleaner to completely remove powder particles. Instead of soda, you can use starch.

How to wash toys with foam?

You will need a foam solution. To create it, you can use baby soap, shower gel, and shampoo. Scoop up the foam with your palm or a rag and carefully wipe away the dirt. Movements should be fast so that the fabric does not get too wet. At the end, you need to blot the product with a dry towel and leave to dry.

Wash by hand

I pour warm water into the basin. When washing, use baby soap and a brush. If there is severe dirt, soak for 10 minutes, and then work with your hands and a brush. This is followed by a gentle spin without twisting. Drying - on clothespins or a laid out towel.

How to wash soft toys in an automatic washing machine?

Make sure the item is washable. Look for the corresponding icon on the label. It is advisable to pay attention to this nuance when purchasing.
Make sure there is no music module or natural filling inside. If there is, remove it or look for an alternative cleansing method - soda, for example.
Check for parts that are loose or loose. Remove everything unnecessary so as not to damage the machine.
Remove grease and other stains, if any.
Pour baby powder or other safe product into the container.
It is advisable to use special laundry bags.
Check the label to see what temperature you can wash at. Set the desired value. Typically the temperature range is 30-60 °C. If you suspect that there are dust mites in the fabric and padding, put the product in the freezer for prevention.
Set to delicate mode. Start the process.
Set rinse.
Squeeze by hand. Drying - in a vertical position. The room should be warm so that the process does not drag on.

Dust mites die in extreme temperatures. If processing at 60 degrees is allowed, they will die in them; if not, destroy them with cold.
Rinse with a little conditioner.
Use an extra rinse to ensure all the powder is washed out.
If the color has changed or the fabric has faded, it means you were sold a low-quality item. It may contain toxic substances that are harmful to health. You should not give it to a child.
Knitted items are dried horizontally on a towel to prevent deformation.
All old printed items contain dust mites. If you get such a rarity somewhere, be sure to put it in the freezer before moving it into your home.

Useful video:

Soft toys are cute, but they require extra attention and special care. They are not hygienic, so to ensure your child's playtime is safe, wash your plush friends regularly. If you follow the rules of care, toys will remain clean and attractive. If automatic washing machine too small for your plush friend, then contact the dry cleaner - they will help.

The method is suitable for small toys:

Take a large plastic bag.
We put a toy in it.
Pour in classic baking soda or starch (for 2-3 medium-sized toys - ½ cup).
Tie the bag tightly and shake vigorously for a couple of minutes.
We take out the toy and use a dry brush to brush off the soda along with any dirt.

We carefully vacuum large toys , changing the usual wide nozzle to a special one for upholstered furniture. If it is possible to change the suction mode, lower its level so as not to accidentally “suck in” eyes, spouts and other parts.

Wet cleaning of soft toys at home - how to wash soft toys with foam

For felt toys:

We soap a cloth with baby soap.
Squeeze as much as possible and thoroughly wipe all contaminated areas.
Take a clean cloth, soak it in clean water (no soap), wring it out, and clean the toy again.
Place the toy on the windowsill (drying rack) until completely dry.

For toys with glued parts (noses, eyes, bows, etc.) and balls inside:

We collect water in a small bowl.
Pour in baby shampoo and whisk until a thick, high foam forms.
We collect foam on the sponge and begin cleaning the toy, being careful not to completely wet it.
Wipe with a barely damp cloth.
Blot with a terry towel.
We dry it by laying the toy on a linen cloth or placing it on a radiator.
Gently comb the plush fur with a brush.

If yellow stains appear on the toy (these appear from time to time), then before cleaning, pour it onto the stain lemon juice and dry in the sun.

Hand washing soft toys - how to hand wash soft toys correctly?

Little toys, which dry quickly, can be hand-wrung and do not have an abundance of small parts, can be washed by hand in the following way:

Pour warm water into a bowl.
We soap the toys with baby soap and leave them soaked for 10 minutes.
If necessary, we wash it with a brush (and if the texture of the toy allows).
We rinse the toys, wring them out, hang them to dry, put them on a radiator, or “spread them” on a dryer under the sun.

And remember a few rules for washing toys:

Toys filled with balls (anti-stress and for development fine motor skills), clean only using the method wet cleaning. It is strictly not recommended to wash them in a machine: even the seams that seem strong at first glance can come apart during the washing process. As a result, you can ruin both the toy and the car.
If you have batteries (musical toys), first carefully rip the seam and remove the batteries. We sew it up again (with a large stitch so that the filling does not fall out), wash it in the most suitable way, and dry it. Next, we put the batteries back in place and sew them up again.
Before washing, treat greasy stains on toys with a sponge soaked in regular medical alcohol or with dishwashing detergent.
Toys made of knitwear and velor (without accessories, balls, batteries and plastic parts) can be washed in a machine, packed in a special mesh designed for washing delicate items of clothing. As for the bows, hats and other similar details sewn to the toy, they will also remain in the mesh if they do come off.
Washing/cleaning toys is not permitted. chemicals. Only baby shampoo or baby/laundry soap.
After cleaning/washing, the toy should be rinsed/cleaned well so that no soap, powder or soda remains on it.
Not all musical toys can have the “filling” out of them. There are also options where the musical blocks stretch along the entire length, including the legs and head of the toy. In this case, it is simply impossible to remove the block without damaging the product. Therefore, the cleaning method is only dry or wet.

How to properly wash soft toys in an automatic machine - everything about machine washing soft toys at home

Rules for machine washing toys:

Be sure to study the tag on the toy. Not every item is machine washable.
We check the toy for music blocks, batteries, ball fillers, and loose seams. Everything that can be pulled out is taken out.
We put the toy in a special net.
Wash on delicate cycle.
We use only baby powder!
Increase the number of rinses by at least 1 rinse.
The water temperature is no higher than 30 degrees. If there is a risk that the toy already has dust mites - from 60 degrees (after studying the label!).
Do not wring out the toy in the machine so as not to damage it and maintain its shape. We simply drain the water and “wring out” the toy itself using a terry towel.
We dry toys hanging or on a radiator if the machine does not have such a function. We dry knitted toys only in a horizontal position.
Cleaning soft toys from ticks using frost
If your toys are so old that they still remember your graduation party, then you can be sure that dust mites live in them. Don't panic, don't rush to throw them out of the window - the cold will help deal with ticks!
- We wash small toys at temperatures above 60 degrees.
- If you can’t wash it, put it in a bag and put it in the freezer overnight. Or even two – just to be sure.
- We take the large toy out onto the balcony, vacuum it thoroughly and leave it in the cold for a night or two. If winter is far away, put the toy in the closet - a child should absolutely not play with a toy infested with dust mites.
Don't "launch" toys. Regular cleaning and washing of toys will preserve not only their appearance, but also, most importantly, the health of your child.