Simple recommendations on how to wash an Ikea shark

Flea the Shark from Ikea is funny soft toy, which is incredibly popular not only among children, but also among adults.

They go for walks, sleep, eat and drink with her. For many, she becomes a true friend.

It is not surprising that such a sought-after character very quickly acquires a layer of dirt. Read the article about whether and how to wash a shark from Ikea so as not to spoil it.

Is it possible?

The shark from Ikea is made of 100% polyester. Polyester fiber is used to give the toy the desired shape.

It can be washed, as the manufacturer indicates on its website.. The shark can be processed both by machine and by hand, since there are no glued parts on it that could easily come off.

It is made of blue and white fabric, which appears gray in bright light. To prevent the toy from fading, it should be washed only with plain light-colored items, or alone.

When choosing a washing method, you need to understand that in the machine the toy will be subjected to intense friction against the drum. Hand washing is less aggressive.

The less often the product comes into contact with water, the better. The shark will retain its color saturation and its surface will not rub off. Therefore, if there are surface contaminants, they are removed with a soap solution and a brush. There is no need to completely wet the toy.

It is recommended to resort to machine washing only when it is impossible to do without it, for example, if there are stains that have been absorbed into the product or if there is heavy dust.

Machine wash rules

Before washing the shark in the machine, it must be properly prepared. The toy is knocked out of dust and difficult stains, if any, are washed by hand..

If there are loose seams or protruding threads, these defects need to be eliminated. Otherwise, they will become even larger and the filler will fall out. After this, you can begin the main procedure.

Procedure:

1. Place the toy in the drum of the washing machine.
2. Pour detergent into the compartment. To wash toys, it is better to use liquid concentrate or gel capsules.

   Powder is less easily rinsed out of fabric fibers. Its effectiveness decreases when washed in cool water.

3. Set the water temperature to 30-40 degrees.
4. Turn on the spin and extra rinse function.
5. Wait for the cycle to complete and send the toy to dry.

You can wash the shark on a delicate cycle. Its parameters are perfect for this purpose. To prevent the shark from rubbing against the drum of the washing machine during machine washing, it can be placed in a special mesh.

Manual cleaning

The Ikea shark can be washed by hand. This will allow you to carefully and efficiently clean it from stains. Hand washing has another advantage - the ability to control the process at every stage. If the toy is a child's favorite, the procedure can be turned into a fun game.

Perform hand washing as follows:

1. Warm water is filled into the basin. It should be comfortable for the hands and not exceed 40 degrees.
2. The larger the product, the larger the washing container should be.A shark 55 cm long is washed in a basin, and a shark 100 cm long is washed in a bathtub.
3. Grind the soap on a grater and dissolve it in water. You can also use hand washing powder.
4. Soak the toy for half an hour. Periodically you need to approach it, press it down and lightly knead it with your hands.
5. After 30 minutes she is examined. If stains or other contaminants remain, they are soaped and gently rubbed with an old toothbrush or sponge.
6. Rinse the shark thoroughly. The water needs to be changed until it becomes clear.
7. After washing, the toy is wrung out, but not twisted, but crushed.

When the water has drained, the product is sent to dry. To speed up this process, wrap the shark in a soft terry towel and lightly press it several times to expel excess moisture.

How to dry a toy?

It is important not only to properly wash, but also dry the toy. After machine drying, the moisture from the toy evaporates quickly, within 10-12 hours. After hand washing, this process can take 2-3 days.

Optimal conditions are drying in the fresh air or in a dry room with good ventilation.. This will prevent the water from rotting and prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Recommendations to follow:

• do not dry Blohay in direct sunlight;
• do not place it on a heating radiator or near fire sources;
• do not dry it with a hair dryer;
• to prevent water from dripping from the shark, it is laid out on a cloth, which is changed periodically;
• from time to time the product needs to be turned over;
• To prevent the filler from sticking to one side after washing, you need to distribute it evenly with your hands - this is done when the toy is still wet.

Conclusion

The Ikea shark can be washed by machine or by hand. In order for it to continue to please its owner after water treatments, you need to follow simple recommendations.

The main conditions are:

• wash in warm, but not hot water,
• use of liquid detergents,
• avoiding bleach.

The less often the shark comes into contact with water, the better.