How to Wash Stuffed Animals and Plush Toys

Just like your clothes and bedding, stuffed animals and plush toys need to be routinely washed. Here's an easy guide to keeping your beloved plush companions clean:

1️⃣ Check the materials and plan accordingly

If a toy is made of wool, it should be washed by hand or on a Wool cycle with wool detergent.

If your toys are handmade or hand-me-downs and the care tag is no longer legible, be as gentle as possible when hand washing. Avoid agitation and wringing.

In some cases, using a dryer could lead to the stuffing clumping, so if possible, check in with the maker of your toy for care tips (visit the website or contact the customer care team).

2️⃣ Choose the gentlest cycle on your washer

If machine washing is an option, follow the care tag instructions.

For toys, we've found the best options are usually the Hand Wash or Wool cycles, which have the most gentle agitation out of all the wash cycles. If you don't have these on your washing machine, you can choose the Delicate cycle.

We recommend using a gentle and fragrance-free detergent, especially if the toys belong to children.

3️⃣ Tumble dry on a low heat setting

Stuffing that doesn't fully dry could lead to unwanted musty smells, so run your dryer on low for as long as necessary. Check periodically to make sure your toys are handling the dryer well.

4️⃣ Clean your toys regularly

Stuffed animals and plush toys get a lot of mileage. They go lots of places and get tossed, dropped and handled with grubby hands (among other things). 😉 Don't put off cleaning them, and if possible, keep a schedule so that they get washed regularly. 

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Words and photos by Mutia Adisoma
Pictured here: Hazel Village and Cuddle and Kind stuffed toys