Washing by Hand
Fill a sink with cold water and mix in a mild laundry detergent. Be sure to add the detergent while the water is still running. The cold water will help preserve your bear’s color. You can also use warm, but never hot, water. Do not use any harsh detergents, as they can damage the bear’s fur. Baby detergents work well.
Place the bear into the soapy water and agitate. Simply swish the bear around in the soap and water mixture until it is completely covered.
Scrub the bear gently with the soapy water using your hands. Take care around the stitches so they don’t come loose. Hand-washing is the gentlest method for cleaning the bear. Washing too roughly may cause the stuffing to come out of the stitching.
Remove the bear from the dirty water and rinse. Use cold running water to rinse the suds off of your bear.
Lay the bear on a clean towel, dabbing it with another towel to get rid of excess moisture. Follow by brushing your bear with a soft brush. Brushing the bear’s fur right after washing will help prevent any clumping or matting.
Let the bear air dry. You may need to turn it over periodically to allow both sides to dry. It is usually best to let a stuffed animal dry on its own outside, as long as it’s a warm and sunny day. Not allowing your bear to dry properly can result in mold or rotting. Make sure the bear is completely dry before boxing it up or letting a child play with it.
Washing in Washing Machine
Secure your bear in a delicate clothes mesh bag to protect the stuffed animal. You can also use a pillowcase, which is porous and won’t do any damage to your bear’s fur. Make sure that the case is tied securely so the bear doesn’t fall out in the wash cycle.
Wash the bear in a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and cold water. Treat the bear carefully, as using a rough cycle can cause damages. Fur quality and stitching may be compromised if hot water or harsh detergents are used. Add distilled white vinegar for the rinse cycle to deodorize and remove any detergent residue. Wash on gentle, delicate, or hand-wash setting. Anything else might be too hard on the bear.
Remove the bear from the washer and let it air dry. Brush the bear’s fur after removing it from the washer, to prevent clumps or mats. You may also use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. It is not advisable to dry your bear in the dryer.
Refreshing with a Spot Clean
Mix a quarter capful of oxygen stain remover into a bowl of warm water. Make sure that the stain remover and water are thoroughly mixed. This method is best used on bears with a voice box. The oxygen stain remover will help get rid of any difficult spots, but a mild detergent will also work.
Saturate the dirty spot with the mixture. Completely cover the spot with the water and stain remover liquid.
Rub the mixture into the bear with a clean towel. Wait 5-10 minutes for the mixture to absorb, but don’t let it dry completely. Use small, circular motions to rub the mixture into the spot.
Blot the spot with a clean towel. If it is still visible, repeat the first four steps. You can also use a paper towel for blotting. Depending on the nature of each spot and how much the stain has soaked in, you may need to repeat the process.
Rinse the spot with cold water and blot again with a clean towel. You may blot the bear until it is dry, or you can leave it to air dry.
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