Best way to clean stuffies About This Page:

[Huntermom]

My son and his wife are expecting and I want to send his old favorite stuffed animals down to him. But I need to clean them first -they are 28-29 years old, well loved but still in good shape.

I need the best way to clean them and preserve them. There is a bean bag dog, a mohair Steiffe teddy and a somewhat rigid cat (who of course, is white)

Suggestions? I really do not want to chance hurting them but also want them clean for the baby.

[Fortissimo]

There is a "Doll Hospital" here that cleans old dolls and stuffed animals as well as repairs them. Maybe there is something around you that has the same services.

I know my sister in law just puts my niece's stuffies in the washing machine. However, I would be too afraid to do that with old stuffies.

Good luck!

[xwewhisper]

There are bags you can buy to put them safely in the washing machine. I saw it on Shark Tank but unfortunately the name is escaping me at the moment.


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[Tink and co.]

We've used the hand wash setting on our washer and a quick air fluff in the dryer, then air dry the rest of the way. They've come out fine. Hand washing with mild soap works well too. I think mohair might need to be dry cleaned. You could take them to a local dry cleaner. They could offer suggestions even if dry cleaning isn't necessary.

[lauriep]

With the Steiff you'd have to just wipe with a damp cloth because the stuffing won't hold up to a machine or being submerged in water. Because the Steiff animals usually increase in value with age, be careful. With that one it might be best to send it to a doll hospital.

[Huntermom]

Thanks for all the help. I read about using the washer online but don't want to risk hurting them. They are all in great condition, just a little dusty from hanging around for the last 20 years or so. The Steiff was a gift from my mother, so has a lot of sentimental value. The beanbag dog actually seems fine, except is can't be too clean after being a favorite stuffie for many years.

I may see if I can find a doll hospital up here. If not, I can take it to Boston (or surrounding area).

[lauriep]

This place (in VA, but you can ship) is very highly recommended. I used to manage a wonderful gift shop that sold Steiff toys and have met Marguerite Steiff's nephew-- this is the place they used to recommend for repair, cleaning and restoration in the US: FAQs :: Mar-Ke Mohair

[Her Dotness]

Why clean them at all? My aged stuffies are all the more beloved to me because they look well-loved. One of my most precious dolls had belonged to my mother and wore a snugly fastened bonnet because Mom had fallen off a swing while holding her, and Ruth suffered a broken back of her head. Watching my mother gently cradling the doll's bonneted broken head as she told me the story is a treasured memory.

(Besides, you never know how having "lovemarks" that your son gave them removed might affect HIM as well as depriving you of being able to tell similar stories to your DDIL as you point to the evidence of his affection visible upon them uncleaned.)

[Huntermom]

I want to clean them because I want the baby to cuddle and use them like my son did. Mr. Steiff can probably be passed down as is. The cat is white, has been collecting dust for many years and as a mother I would like it a little cleaner before letting my baby cuddle it. I had thought about just vacuuming it to get some of the ancient dust out of it. the dog is brown and not bad looking. I just know it was loved for many years and never cleaned.

[GATechGal]

Cleaning is probably a good idea. You wouldn't want a baby to be breathing in all the dust (and maybe dust mites) that have been collecting in your treasures. I think you've gotten some great advice from previous posters.

[poohmaine]

I always had luck putting each stuffie in a pillowcase and washing them with the "light" perm press setting. Make sure you use a baby-friendly gentle soap and use the delicate dryer setting (inside the pillowcase for the dryer, too). But if they are valuable, I wouldn't risk it.