How to wash a large soft toy at home by hand, dry, how to remove stains and disinfect it?

Large soft toys are not only children’s friends, but also components of the original interior.

Plush products look very cute, but they collect a lot of dust and are difficult to clean. A separate problem is presented by those that do not fit in the washing machine.

You can even clean large objects manually using homemade recipes, a steam generator and household chemicals.

We'll tell you in this article how to wash a large soft toy at home by hand.

Washing problems

All soft toys accumulate dust and need cleaning. If the manufacturer indicates on the product label that it can be washed in a machine, the problem can be easily solved. But with very large products this will not work.

When choosing a cleaning method, you must take into account that aggressive compounds cannot be used for a number of reasons:

caustic substances can damage the material;
they can cause allergies;
they are undesirable to use in a children's environment;
not suitable for delicate cleaning.

Time-tested home methods, using household appliances and store-bought cleaning products will help you tidy up a large toy. For any type of cleaning, it is advisable that the first step is vacuuming.

General rules for washing soft toys are discussed here.

How to do it manually?

Hand washing can consist of several parts:

careful surface cleaning of the material;
complete wash of the entire item, including stuffing;
treatment of particularly contaminated areas and stain removal.

In some cases, brushing just the outer fur of your furry friend is sufficient.

To wash by hand you will need:

a large container in which the entire thing would fit;
universal detergent in gel form (if the fur of a soft animal is snow-white, you can use a detergent intended for white clothes);
sponge;
laundry soap;
stain remover if there are particularly dirty places;
water.

Work order:

Fill the container intended for washing with water at a temperature of up to +30ºС. The exception is for products whose label indicates a higher temperature is permitted by the manufacturer.
Detergent is diluted in water.
If there are dirty areas on the toy, they are soaped with laundry soap using a sponge. The stains are treated with a stain remover, for example, Vanish.
Wash the toy with a sponge.
If the goal is a complete wash, including the filling, then you need to squeeze and unclench the product with your hands so that the filling is also washed.
It is necessary to rinse the item thoroughly, changing the water frequently.

If the toy cannot be wetted entirely, you can wash only the soiled areas, avoiding deep soaking.

Careful surface washing is especially important in cases where the filler is sensitive to moisture. This applies, for example, to anti-stress filler.

This video will tell you about wet cleaning of a large soft toy:

Washing toys with a musical mechanism

Washing musical soft toys is problematic, but possible. For the mechanism, the main thing is that no liquid gets into it; this can be avoided if the sensor is removed from the product while one of the seams of the toy is being washed, and then put back in place.

Before putting the product in the washing machine or in a basin, the seam should be covered with stitches so that the filler does not fall out.

IMPORTANT! You can place the mechanism inside the toy only after the pet has completely dried, this will save the batteries from oxidation and the sensor from rapid wear.

There is no way to wash an electronic friend whose whole body is covered in wires, then dry or wet cleaning is used.

Removing stains using folk remedies

The uniform dusting of the toy allows you to combine dry cleaning with surface washing. But if there are stains on the item, they need to be treated before washing.

A simple folk method will do:

Moisten the stained area with a sponge.
The soap is foamed and gently applied to the stain.
Rub the dirty area with a sponge.
After treatment, the remaining soap is washed off with water.

If a bear, dog or elephant not only decorates the interior, but is also a baby’s favorite, the stains can be removed with a children’s stain remover. After leaving for several minutes, the product is washed off.

To remove stains from children's toys, you should not use chemicals (gasoline, white alcohol, kerosene, etc.) .

Washing machine

After you have completed the repair and studied the label, you can start washing. For convenience, you can put your velor pet in a mesh bag. Follow the instructions on the label strictly so you don't have to throw it away later.

Precautionary measures:

Avoid large items that will not fit in the drum
Remove all batteries, music devices, and buzzers.
Stuffing made from fiber filler, foam balls and paper is a contraindication.
Always wash items separately from other items. Combining them with regular washing can spread bacteria from other items of clothing to your baby's item.
Movable limbs (usually contain wooden joints)
There are glued parts

Dry cleaning

If the toy is made of materials that cannot be wetted or has glued elements, water cannot be used at all for cleaning.

For dry cleaning you will need:

a vacuum cleaner with an attachment for cleaning small items;
soda (the amount depends on the size of the product, but not less than a couple of packs);
a large plastic bag in which the entire item would fit;
napkins.

The amount of soda is determined taking into account the fact that the item must be completely sprinkled with it. If there is even more of it, it’s not scary; for cleaning it’s more of a plus than a minus. Instead of soda, you can use potato starch.

Cleaning procedure:

Thoroughly vacuum the product from all sides.
Place the toy in a large bag prepared in advance and sprinkle it with soda.
Squeeze out excess air from the bag.
The top of the bag must be tied.
The bag must be shaken and squeezed vigorously so that the toy comes into contact with the soda on all sides.
Set the bag aside for an hour. During this time, the soda will absorb all the contaminants.
Once again actively knead and shake the bag.
Get a toy.
Use a napkin slightly moistened with water to go over the dirty places on the material. If necessary, they should be rubbed.
If there are uncleaned areas, then you need to add soda to them and rub some more.
Use a dry cloth to shake off the baking soda from the surface.
Vacuum the product.

The cellophane bag for processing must be chosen to be dense and able to withstand the vigorous impact of the cleaning process.

The severe frost will help us!

Dissolve the cleaning product in a bowl and clean each toy in turn.
To avoid completely getting items wet, you can soak a napkin in a soapy solution and wipe each item. After that, dry it.
If there are greasy marks, they can be removed with an alcohol solution.
The best option for cleaning is a microfiber cloth.
After treating with a soap solution, each area is wiped with a clean damp cloth, and then dry to absorb the remaining moisture.

To effectively clean with a vacuum cleaner, use a special attachment for cleaning upholstered furniture.

Steam generator application

If you have a steam cleaner in your home, tidying up a large toy will not be a problem. Steam not only allows you to refresh the material, but also removes dirt, fights mold and other pathogens.

When steaming, avoid contact with surfaces that may become deformed. This group includes natural materials (for example, linen, wool).

If the toy has a built-in electrical device (clock, music generator, etc.), you should not use a steam cleaner. Without damaging the product, this can only be done after removing the electronic unit.

Before using the steam generator, the toy must be vacuumed. This will improve processing efficiency.

What other methods are there?

To clean children's toys, you can use the help of nature. Microbes cannot withstand high or too low temperatures, which will help solve the cleaning problem. This approach has several advantages:

Before the procedure, toys should be vacuumed to remove possible dust and dirt from the surface. Next, the products are simply taken out onto the street or balcony. In winter, this is the easiest way to clean soft toys and do not use water with powder. The colder it is outside, the faster the desired effect will be achieved. It is optimal to leave things in the cold for at least a day. During this time, they will not only be cleaned, but also thoroughly ventilated.

You can also disinfect using sunlight. This method is ideal for summer time. You need to choose a dry and hot day. Vacuum the animals and place them in direct sunlight. You can leave it for several days. The most important thing is not to miss the moment when precipitation begins. Cleaning a soft trinket in this way is very simple and effective. It is important to monitor the material used; some paints may fade when exposed to sunlight and objects will lose their visual appeal.

Drying rules

Just washing a large toy is not enough. It is very important to dry it properly. It is important to follow these rules:

Ensure good ventilation of the room in which the item will be dried. Or choose to dry it in the fresh air.
It is prohibited to use heating devices or open fire for drying purposes.
Quite lightweight plush friends made from artificial materials can be hung to dry.
If there is a possibility that the product may lose its shape, it should be dried on a horizontal surface with a moisture-absorbing terry towel underneath. When they get wet, the towels are changed.
During the drying process, the product must be shaken and turned over so that the stuffing dries evenly.

After completely drying the toy, it is recommended to comb it to give it a more attractive appearance.

Precautions during quarantine

When viral epidemics are raging, children's supplies should be treated with the utmost care. Pile and simply the surface of products made from other materials becomes a real breeding ground for diseases.

Those that are used extremely rarely by the child or are not used at all immediately need to be isolated for a couple of weeks. The fewer items, the easier it is to ensure the safety of the child.
Items that can withstand high temperatures are cleaned using a steamer. It is advisable to do this 2-3 times a week.
Do laundry every week during quarantine.
Be sure to take the specimens out into fresh air after cleaning. Preferably for at least 12 hours.

During a virus outbreak, it is effective to use ultraviolet lamps to disinfect objects in the house.

Thus, your child’s soft toys need to be looked after regularly. Ignoring hygiene can lead to the development of dangerous diseases and allergic reactions.

It doesn’t matter if yellow stains appear on your down winter jacket after an unsuccessful wash. It happens that you have to wash vomit stains from upholstered furniture or clothes, and it is very difficult to clean a mattress from red stains and the smell of urine, but there are methods. You can, Removing stains is always a long and labor-intensive process, especially if it concerns traces of food or

How to clean large and small stuffed toys

Many parents ask the question: “how to clean heavily soiled soft toys without washing?” You can clean it with a vacuum cleaner.

Expert opinion

Ksenia Diyanova, expert on beauty, purity, harmony

Ask me any questions, I will be happy to answer!

Using a sponge or washcloth, apply the solution to the dirt and rub it off with light movements, not allowing the toy to get completely wet. Toys made of knitwear and velor without accessories, balls, batteries and plastic parts can be washed in a machine, packed in a special mesh designed for washing delicate items of clothing. 5 Tips for Cleaning and Washing Soft Toys – Cleaning Soft Toys at Home Ask me all your questions, I’ll be happy to answer!

Disinfection methods

Refreshing a toy means not only improving its appearance, but also disinfecting it. The simplest solution is exposure to sunlight in summer and frost in winter .

Low temperatures are harmful to most bacteria and viruses. To combat them, it is quite enough to simply place the toy on the balcony in winter for the whole day.

Additionally, you can treat the fur with a vinegar solution:

Mix ½ cup vinegar with 1 cup water.
Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Treat the toy from all sides.
Set it aside to air and dry completely.

Getting rid of ticks from soft toys using frost

If your toys are so old that they still remember your graduation party, then you can be sure that dust mites live in them. Don't panic, don't rush to throw them out of the window - the cold will help deal with ticks!

We wash small toys at temperatures above 60 degrees.
If you can’t wash it, put it in a bag and put it in the freezer overnight. Or even two – just to be sure.
We take the large toy out onto the balcony, vacuum it thoroughly and leave it in the cold for a night or two. If winter is far away, put the toy in the closet - a child should absolutely not play with a toy infested with dust mites.

Don't "launch" toys. Regular cleaning and washing of toys will preserve not only their appearance, but also, most importantly, the health of your child.

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Recommendations

make washing toys by hand easier :

All manipulations must be carried out using rubber gloves.
If there is some kind of electronic unit inserted inside the toy (for music, lighting, etc.), it must be removed before washing.
Cleaning must be done very carefully, especially around small parts (eyes, nose) and those that are glued rather than sewn.
Before washing, make sure that all seams are well stitched and small parts on the material are carefully secured.
Toys that need washing should not be stored together with new and clean ones.

If a toy, even after careful treatment, becomes stained and fades heavily, this indicates its low quality and the use of questionable materials and dyes. There’s definitely no point in regretting something like this.

Watch master class online: Restoration of a soft toy (dog)

Soft toy products filled with special balls should only be cleaned dry or by wiping with a damp cloth. If you try to place them in a washing machine, the fabric may tear during washing, and small balls will probably clog into all the holes of the machine and ruin it. It is also contraindicated to wash toys filled with sawdust, straw, buckwheat husks and other organic materials.
Before washing toys in an automatic washing machine, you need to remove musical and other mechanisms from them. If the manufacturer has not provided for the possibility of removing such a device from a special pocket with Velcro, then you will have to slightly rip the seam that runs as close to the device as possible, remove the mechanism, secure the seam with large stitches (so that the padding polyester does not fall out during washing), wash the toy, and then return it “insides” back and carefully sew up the seam.

The vacuum cleaner should be set to gentle mode and all small parts should be removed from the toy. If it is impossible to remove them, the movements of the nozzle should be carried out around small parts. The whole procedure takes no more than 5 minutes, but it is very important to carry out cleaning with particular regularity.