4 ways to clean your kids' plush toys

Prevent your plush toys from turning into germ incubators by taking good care of them with these handy washing tips.

1. Hand washing

There’s nothing simpler than cleaning your plush toys by hand. Just fill a container (or a clean sink) with warm water and add a few drops of shampoo or laundry soap. Immerse the toy in the water so that it’s completely soaked.

Wash it the same way you would wash your hair, and be sure to give it a thorough rinse. Soak up excess water with a towel and leave the toy to dry in the open air.

Before putting your plush toys in the washing machine, place them in a pillowcase or lingerie net to avoid damaging them. You can put them through a regular wash cycle if you take these precautions.

You could also use the gentle cycle, but you’ll probably have to sponge off excess water with a towel. Some plush toys can be machine dried, but it’s safest to leave them to dry in the open air.

Some dry cleaners accept plush toys. You might want to try this option if you have a large toy that would soak up too much water in your washing machine.

Put some dry baking soda into a large plastic bag along with the toy. Let it sit in the bag for at least five hours to eliminate any germs and odours, then take it out and brush it thoroughly. You could also use a vacuum cleaner to remove any excess baking soda.

If your plush toy doesn’t recover its original look after washing it in water, think about giving it a good brush. It will look as good as new.