Step-by-step instructions on how to wash a large soft toy at home

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, it is necessary to 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.

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:

1. Fill the container, which is intended for washing, with water at a temperature of up to +30? C. The exception is for products whose label indicates a higher temperature is permitted by the manufacturer.
2. Detergent is diluted in water.
3. 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.
4. Wash the toy with a sponge.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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

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:

1. Moisten the stained area with a sponge.
2. The soap is foamed and carefully applied to the stain.
3. Rub the dirty area with a sponge.
4. 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.

For removing stains from children's toys Do not use chemicals (gasoline, white alcohol, kerosene, etc.).

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.

Cleaning procedure:

1. Thoroughly vacuum the product from all sides.
2. Place the toy in a large bag prepared in advance and sprinkle it with soda.
3. Squeeze out excess air from the bag.
4. The top of the bag must be tied.
5. The bag must be shaken and squeezed vigorously so that the toy comes into contact with the soda on all sides.
6. Set the bag aside for an hour. During this time, the soda will absorb all the contaminants.
7. Once again actively knead and shake the bag.
8. Get a toy.
9. Use a napkin slightly moistened with water to go over the dirty places on the material. If necessary, they should be rubbed.
10. If there are uncleaned areas, then you need to add soda to them and rub some more.
11. Use a dry cloth to shake off the baking soda from the surface.
12. 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.

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 and fights mold and other pathogenic microorganisms.

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.

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:

1. Ensure good ventilation of the room in which the item will be dried. Or choose to dry it in the fresh air.
2. It is prohibited to use heating devices or open fire for drying purposes.
3. Quite lightweight plush friends made from artificial materials can be hung to dry.
4. 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.
5. 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.

How often should I wash?

The frequency of washing directly depends on the activity of using the item.. A soft toy should be vacuumed at least once every 7 days. Wet cleaning is necessary when stains appear on the product.

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:

1. Mix? glass of vinegar with 1 glass of water.
2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
3. Treat the toy from all sides.
4. Set it aside to air and dry completely.

Recommendations

Make it easier to wash toys by hand The following tips will help:

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

Video on the topic

This video will show you how to wash a large soft toy:

Conclusion

Proper care of a soft toy will extend its service life, maintain its attractive appearance and make its stay in the house safe even for children. If you can’t deal with the stains, the solution is to go to the dry cleaner..