Stuffed toys

lmac2582 · July 2014

How do you clean a stuffed toy before giving it to LO? Just spray it with Lysol? I feel like I need to do something to clean them after being at the store.

Cecilbear · July 2014

Throw them in the washing machine and then tumble dry. A Lysol spray would make me nervous, given the likelihood of that stuffed animal ending up in LO's mouth.

lmac2582 · July 2014

I have a little stuffed bird attached to a little blanket that I put in the washer and dryer but what about the ones that the tag says surface clean only?

Cecilbear · July 2014

Honestly, I'd probably just throw it in anyway. But maybe others have better ideas!

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

Soapy wash cloth? Followed by wet wash cloth?

hlm184 · July 2014

I think you can wash them in a big zip pillowcase type thing.

cnbean · July 2014

Wash in washing machine. You can put them into a pillowcase and tie it shut if you want, I think it protects it a bit more.

AcaAwkward · July 2014

I never wash plush toys first. Maybe if it smelled super chemically or something but I probably just wouldn't buy it if that were the case.

If they've been puked on, etc, I wash on delicate and just hang dry. If the toy is pellet-filled, I tie it up in a pillowcase first.

fourthnlast · July 2014

I've never washed straight from the store, but if it's a used toy, I just wash it. Most have washing/drying instructions on the tag.

ricekez · July 2014

I was worried about the washer ruining one of my toddler's favorite stuffed animals after he peed on it, so I just hand washed it in the baby bathtub with some Woolite. That worked to get the pee smell out. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to risk stuffed animals in the washer. . . I'm sure it would work fine, but the repercussions if one of DS1's animals got ruined are far to severe for me to risk it.

kalette · July 2014

Do not spray it in lysol! It is one of the most toxic, long lasting household cleaners out there. Just put it through the wash with some free and clear detergent on gentle and air dry.

MrsZ0811 · July 2014

Could put it in a mesh bra bag (at least i think thats what that bag is for, lol) to protect it. All of LO animals have been in the washer, on cold with free and clear. Just like the rest of our laundry.

WifeofaComposer · July 2014

I scrub them with baby wipes and then rub the suds off with a wet washcloth.

spano41 · July 2014

I wash them even when it says not to

knotty-girl · July 2014

I think I'd be more concerned about chemicals used in the manufacturing than bacteria persay (I believe mrsa can live on surfaces for up to 7 days.). That being said, I still don't understand the logic behind washing used items, but not new store items, as if they are any more clean. I've worked for clothing companies with onsite manufacturing, and often workers handling the garments do not wash their hands after using the restrooms, cut themselves and bleed on merchandise, and wipe their faces with them. Even with quality control, these things happen. The facilities are large dirty warehouses located above fruit vendors and are plagued with cockroaches. This is in downtown Los Angeles, but more often products sold in the US are manufactured overseas to cut costs, and the factories have abhorrent conditions. My point is not that you have to wash everything you bring home, but I just don't understand the logic of differentiating between the two. New does not equal clean/sterile. So if your a germaphobe by all means wash everything, and if you don't care, than don't.

I wash stuffed toys in a lingerie bag and let them air dry on a sweater rack. Here it is hot enough that they dry thoroughly in just a few hours. A lot of faux fur is made of material that melts like plastic in extreme heat, so drying it can cause it to get clumpy. If the toy is misshapen after being washed, you can put it in a pillowcase and tumble it on air with some tennis or laundry balls.

Chemical content (fire retardants, for example) is important to consider with toys, as with all things for your baby.

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