How to Clean Stuffed Toys for Donations

Clean stuffed toys before donating them.

When your child outgrows her stuffed animals, you have the option to either throw the toys away, or create new use for them by donating the stuffed animals to a local charity. Since your child has already used the toys, it is important to clean and disinfect them so the new child using them can start fresh with clean, germ-free stuffed animals.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Laundry detergent
• Dryer
• Disinfectant spray
• Disinfectant wipes
• Trash bags

Instructions

1. Read the care instructions label on the toys. Most stuffed animals are machine washable, while some require hand cleaning.

2. Place machine-washable items into the washing machine. Add your regular laundry detergent and wash the toys on a hot water cycle to kill germs and remove dirt.

3. Put the stuffed animals in the dryer, checking them every 15 minutes until they are fully dried. Make sure the toys are dried the whole way through to prevent mildew growth.

4. Wipe stuffed animals that are not machine-washable with disinfectant wipes or spray with disinfectant spray. Use whichever you have on hand, as both will kill germs.

5. Place the stuffed animals in a tightly sealed trash bag for at least three days prior to donating. This will kill any dust mites that may still be harboring on the stuffed animals.

References

• East Carolina University: Cleaning and Disinfecting Toys