Washing stuffed animals?

N

newfiemountiewife

New member
As you know, I had a little basement flood. I've gotten to the point now, where I'm just throwing the crap out the door, without really looking to see what it is.

I'm getting to the 3/4 mark of the clean up this morning, and I find a box with some stuffed animals in it. Some of them were from when I was a kid, I didn't even know were there! Of course, they got wet as well, and there are a couple there I know the kids would like, like a really sweet unicorn, Amelia would LOVE.

Do you think I can wash them? Some of them are quite big, I'm wondering if I put them in the washer if they'll split open....with all the mess I've had to clean the past two days, I'm really not interested in trying to scoop stuffing out of the washer!

Any advice would be really appreciated!
 
I have washed some in the machine before - just don't put them in the dryer! Put them on a gentle cycle, or if you have a front-loading washer, that's better for them than the washers with the agitators. I've never had a stuffed animal burst open on me yet...
 
I've had no problems with just throwing stuffed animals in the washer. maybe wash them on delicate if you are concerned?
 
I have washed several.. just don't dry them. drying them is bad. Not that I would know or anything.
 
A lot depends on what they are "stuffed" with. Seriously! If they are stuffed with polyester fiberfill (like quilt batting), then there should be no problem washing them. However, if they are filled with pellets (i don't know how else to describe it), then you might as well throw the animal out. Those pellets ones are like styrofoam and don't do well in the washer.

I would definately check the seams of the animals before putting them in the washer. I have a whole bucket of stuffed animals that we call the "animal hospital" that are just waiting for Mom to grab a needle and thread to repair the seams. LOL!

Good luck, Jamie!
 
MelissaL88 said:
I would definately check the seams of the animals before putting them in the washer. I have a whole bucket of stuffed animals that we call the "animal hospital" that are just waiting for Mom to grab a needle and thread to repair the seams. LOL!

Good luck, Jamie!
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ROFL Melissa - we have one of those, too! Some have been there for a couple of years LOLOLOL
 
Hmm, I've put a few in the washer and dryer in the past, but mostly little ones.

I have read on a bunch of our stuffed animals to put them in pillowcases (and tie the top) when you wash them. You could try that.
 
An animal hospital...love that! :D We have had a few with popped seams and such...either my mom or neighbor fixes them for me, lol...I don't mend. :p
 
I've washed and even put many of the kids' stuffed animals in the dryer with no problems. In fact I just washed a stuffed Santa the other day that fell out of the box and got all yucky when I was bringing the Xmas boxes in from the garage. It came out looking brand new & it's probably close to 6-7 years old since Kaylie got it for her 1st or 2nd Xmas.
 
I take stuffed animals to the laundry mat.. since they're the giant tub ones without the inner aggitator-- safer for all those animals and their sensitive seams :)
 
I've never had a problem washing and drying my critters. I put a few dry towels in with them when drying to soften. The only downside is the eyes get a bit scratched. With the high humidity around here they would never dry if I didn't use the dryer, and I hate to think of them getting moldy in the middle, yuck.
 
I'm sure they'll be fine.. you do know how to sew right? lol.. you can just stitche them back up if something happens
 
My son is very attached to a stuffed dog, thus it gets filthy. I put it in a pillowcase and tied it shut and then washed and dried it.
 
Good luck Jamie! I bet they will do fine.

I had that happen to me when we first bought our house, lost a bunch of stuff due to water damage and one box of my stuffed animals from when I was a kid just killed me to throw away! Course I'm a pack rat so it kills me to throw anything away!
 
You all are so nice with your animal hospitals! At our house, they just get tossed (i.e., they "disappear"). I really dislike stuffed animals. I'm a bad mommy. LOL!
 
I have washed a multitude of stuffies over the past 13 years ... gentle cycle, in a lingerie bag, no dryer.
 
I have washed them before You might be able to do tumble with very low heat. I was not thinking and washed a teddy bear and threw it in the dryer and it had long fur when I threw it in when it came out it was basically matted down and melted
 
Certain stuffed animals get thrown in the dryer just because Lance drags them all over the place and there is no telling what germs are on them. But I usually put them in a lingerie bag to contain them and keep them safe.
 
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