How to Clean a Stuffed Polyester Animal

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Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum cleaner

  • Mild liquid soap

  • Scrubbing brush

  • Soft cloth

Stuffed animals are available in a wide variety of animals, colors and sizes.

Children love stuffed animals. They carry them around with them, play with them, and sleep with them. If your child's favorite stuffed animal becomes dirty or stained, you can't simply dispose of the animal. Unfortunately, polyester stuffed animals are also difficult to clean. They cannot be washed in the washing machine, or the animal can lose its shape, and cleaning through all of the fur can be difficult. Hand cleaning with a mild soap is the only way to restore your child's loved one back to a clean and presentable toy.

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Step 1

Attach the furniture/upholstery attachment to a vacuum cleaner by connecting it to the vacuum hose. Turn the vacuum on. Run the vacuum along the stuffed animal to remove accumulated dirt and dust.

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Step 2

Fill a bowl with a squirt of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent and warm water.

Step 3

Dip a soft-bristled cleaning brush into the soapy water. Begin by scrubbing away any spots or stains. After the stain lifts, proceed to clean the rest of the fabric. Although the entire body may not appear to need to be cleaned, the clean area may stand out from the rest of the body, especially in older stuffed animals, so it's recommended you clean the entire body.

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Step 4

Dampen a soft cloth with cool water. Wring the cloth. Dab the polyester stuffed animal to remove soap residue.

Step 5

Allow the stuffed animal to air-dry. Once dry, running the vacuum cleaner back over the stuffed animal can fluff the fur.

Tip

Use as little water or liquid as necessary to clean the stuffed animal. Excess water will soak through the stuffed animal, into the filling, which can cause mildew or mold.

Warning

Never use bleach to clean the stuffed animal. It can discolor the stuffed animal.

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