Children's clothes require special care and choice of washing mode. With soft toys the situation is much more complicated, because many of them cannot simply be washed in a washing machine, but leaving them without proper care is dangerous for the baby’s health. Not all products can survive classic washing, even on a delicate cycle; any contact with moisture can ruin it forever. To preserve children's belongings, it is important to choose the right safe way to clean a soft toy that cannot be washed.
What products can be washed in a machine?
Toys, especially soft ones, not only collect dust, but are also a favorable breeding ground for numerous bacteria, dust mites and many other dangerous microorganisms.
The easiest way to wash soft toys is machine washing. But not all specimens are able to survive it and maintain their appearance. Therefore, before starting cleaning, it is important to sort the products. Sorting is carried out according to the following principle:
- Size estimation. The machine will not be able to wash soft bears, elephants and bunnies that are too large. The maximum drum load also plays a role here. If the item is too bulky, it needs to be cleaned in a different way so as not to damage the equipment.
- Definition of filler. Another criterion when answering the question whether toys can be washed in a washing machine is the quality of its filler. Not all materials can withstand the moisture test. Synthetic winterizer and foam rubber can be machine washed, but fluff, sawdust and other natural materials will deteriorate after such a procedure.
- Electronic mechanism. The presence of such inside the product completely excludes washing in the usual sense of the word. Contact with water will render the device unusable. In some products, manufacturers have provided the ability to remove the electronic unit for cleaning.
- External material. Items made from natural fur cannot be washed at all, and the yarn shrinks at high temperatures. Before washing, be sure to study the cleaning recommendations and composition.
- The presence of decorative elements. If they are sewn on, then delicate washing is allowed. The glued pieces will easily fall off during washing.
Those items that cannot be washed in a machine are cleaned using dry methods.
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Immerse yourself in the troublesome but joyful world that arises wherever there is a baby!
Adult life through the eyes of a child always seems so mysterious and bright. And with what tenderness adults look at their little brother or sister... Unfortunately, older children, although they are older, are still too young to become real helpers. And then online entertainment games for girls Baby Care comes to their aid.
The first acquaintance occurs as if in reality: the baby appears at home. Just don’t think that the virtual child will be a good boy and won’t cause any trouble for his new mother. So, what awaits the little mother in this exciting game?
Feeding
The most important and truly exciting process. You will have to remember that the baby will not eat the offered cake or ice cream that you love so much. He is too young to understand such goodies and will start crying, demanding his share of the porridge. You'll have to learn how to prepare the mixture, prepare the bottle, and how to persuade the little prankster to eat. After a good meal, the little mischievous child will most likely get dirty, so here too he will need the hand of a caring mother.
Walk
Fans of fun outdoor activities will be happy to take part in this episode of adult life. But it’s worth thinking about and making one very correct decision - how and what to dress your little one so that he doesn’t freeze. The main task is to dress correctly! What comes first? Panties or shirt? Or maybe it’s better to start with beautiful socks and a hat? Difficult choice, but no problem. If you make a mistake, you can try again, and after several attempts, dress the baby as it should be.
Dry cleaning of soft toys
Many of the plush toys are not machine or hand washable. After contact with water, they will simply lose their appearance and become unusable. In this case, you should use dry methods, like cleaning soft toys.
Effective dry cleaning methods:
- Vacuum cleaner. The simplest and most affordable option. Bears, bunnies, elephants and other animals can be removed from dust using this device. You can take a special nozzle designed for upholstered furniture. For specimens with glued elements, the suction power is set to a minimum. This procedure can be carried out regularly 1-2 times a month.
- Soda. To do this, you need to select plastic bags with sizes suitable for the toy. Pour baking soda into it. Options measuring about 20-30 cm can be peeled from the rootstock. For this amount, half a glass of soda will be enough. Then the bag is tightly closed. For the substance to work better, shake the bag for 5-10 minutes. If it is heavily soiled, you can leave it like this for another hour. After the specified time, the products are removed and freed from soda and dirt using a dry brush.
- Potato starch. This inexpensive product perfectly absorbs dust. The principle of action is similar to baking soda. The animals are placed in a bag and covered with starch. The amount of powder is 1 glass for 2 medium toys. Shake vigorously for 10-15 minutes, then knock out the powder and dry in the sun or simply let it air in the fresh air.
After the dry cleaning procedure, it is very important to tap the substance thoroughly and ventilate the products.
Cleaning stains
If stains appear on a soft surface (this is a common occurrence in homes with small children), do not rush to wash it. A cleaning agent for upholstered furniture, preferably foam, is a good choice as a cleaner.
If you need to clean an expensive item, first try using the product on an inconspicuous area, checking to see if it disturbs the color, surface texture, etc.
First, remove dust and surface dirt with a vacuum cleaner, then apply cleaning foam to the stains with a brush or sponge, leave to act for about 15 minutes (read the instructions), vacuum again, and brush. Instead of special foam, you can use foam from baby soap.
A good stain remover is vinegar diluted in water 1:1. The effect of the solution also needs to be tested on a hidden area, since the acid can change the shade of a soft surface.
Rules for washing in an automatic washing machine
Only items intended for this purpose may be loaded into the drum. To maintain its appearance and ensure proper cleaning at home, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Load the drum of the machine with a maximum of one third of the total permitted weight. This will significantly increase the efficiency of the process.
- Children's powders with a neutral odor are used as a detergent. It is better to use the same powder that is used for washing children's clothes. You can also use liquid forms of cleaners as they are easier to rinse out. Laundry soap and baby shampoo are also suitable.
- Suitable modes: delicate, wool, manual. Optimal indicators: temperature 30-40 degrees, spin 400 rpm.
- Be sure to turn on the extra rinse mode.
It is better to wash knitted and velor items in special bags designed for linen. This will reduce the mechanical impact. After the cycle is completed, the toys are hung on a rope so as not to spoil the shape. It is better to first place a large doll or fur toy on a dry, dense cloth to make them lighter.
Are they dirty?
- 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.
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.
How to wash without a washing machine
Washing by hand is more gentle. You can do this in several ways:
- 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.
It is better to leave bulky items to be cleaned by professionals. In special dry cleaners, toys are treated with disinfecting solutions and any damage is eliminated.
Wet cleaning
The wet method most often involves foam treatment. It is better if it is made from baby soap, as there is less risk of dermatological reactions in children.
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Not really
Cleaning felt souvenir toys
Lather a cloth or sponge and squeeze thoroughly. Then vigorously wipe the surface of the toy with it. When wiping, pay special attention to stains and the most contaminated areas. After treating with soap foam, wipe the toy with a cloth soaked in clean water and leave it to dry in a sitting or standing position on a windowsill or balcony.
Toys with glued parts
Dilute any foaming baby product in a container with warm water. Beat the foam. Then put it on a sponge and wipe the toy. Remaining foam can be wiped off with a dry cloth or towel. After the procedure, dry the product thoroughly. If yellow stains appear on it, they can be treated with lemon juice.
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:
- Does not require the use of additional chemicals.
- No contact with moisture.
- No special preparation is required.
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.
The severe frost will help us!
Almost every home has soft toys that are several decades old. You can be sure that there are definitely dust mites in it. Don't panic. You can quickly and easily clean such products using cold. The product should be taken to the balcony or outside and cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. If wet washing is prohibited, the toy should be placed in a bag, wrapped securely and placed in the freezer overnight.
It is important to remember that regular cleaning of toys will help not only maintain their attractive appearance, but also the health of your household.
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.
During this time, you should adhere to the following rules:
- 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.
Drying
Proper drying will help prevent the toy from smelling musty and damp.
- It is better to wring out a soft toy by hand after washing. Having pulled it out of the basin or drum, run your hands over it from top to bottom.
- Place on a horizontal surface and, pressing lightly, remove any remaining water.
- Wrap it in a non-fading thick fabric or terry towel. Moisture will quickly be absorbed into it.
- Remove the towel and leave the toy in a horizontal position, for example, on a clothes dryer, in a well-ventilated room. When drying indoors, the filler may develop a musty odor.
- Comb the toy's pile with a wide-toothed comb until it is completely dry.
- Periodically turn the product over and shake it to dry all sides evenly, and then the filler will not form clumps.
Drying in a vertical position, such as hanging on a clothesline, may cause warping.
You can reduce drying time by placing the product next to radiators or a heater. But you can't dry it near an open fire. This is a fire hazard.
