How to Keep Stuffed Animals Clean

Keeping the stuffed animals in your child's room clean should be a chore just like changing the sheets or dusting the furniture. Stuffed animals are dust and dirt magnets and can even cause your child to have allergic reactions. Since your child's health is important and getting rid of your child's favorite stuffed animal isn't an option, you must strive to keep their stuffed animals clean.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Create a monthly cleaning schedule for the stuffed animals your child sleeps or plays with on a daily basis. Wipe them down with a washcloth moistened with a mixture of water and a mild laundry detergent. Hang them to dry in the sun if you can or inside if need be.

2. Place stuffed animals in a paper sack and put some baking soda in it. Then shake it to eliminate oils. Remove the stuffed animals and throw them in a pillow case. Put the pillow case in the washer and run it on a gentle cycle.

3. Check stuffed animals on a weekly basis to make sure extra cleaning is not required. Food and drinks can sometimes be spilled on stuffed animals so it is better to check than let it stay on there for a month.

4. Leave stuffed animals at home when running errands. Shopping carts are full of dirt, germs and bacteria that your child's stuffed animals can transport to them.

5. Keep stuffed animals off of the floor or rugs, if possible. If your child's stuffed animals are mainly bedtime buddies, keep them on the bed during the day to reduce the amount of dirt and dust they accumulate throughout the month.

6. Discourage pets from sleeping on your child's bed or near their stuffed animals. Pet dander and fur can get on the stuffed animals and make them not only dirty, but possible irritants if your child has allergies.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child suffers from asthma or other allergies, you may want to consider introducing stuffed animals that can be thrown in the washing machine to reduce dust and allergens.
• Always check the label on stuffed animals before cleaning them. Some are able to be thrown in the washing machine, but others need to be hand washed.