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How to Clean a Plush Doll

Plush dolls are played with by children every day and are dragged on the floor, tossed around with house pets, and then put into the child's mouth. Plush dolls can be perceived as difficult to clean, which means they may be forgotten and become very dirty. Stuffed plush dolls, especially those that may enter the mouth, should be washed once weekly or on an as-needed basis. Look at the label to be certain the plush doll is washable.

Things You'll Need

Clean sponge
Alcohol wipes
Seam cutter
Pillowcase
Washing machine
Clothes dryer
Needle
Thread

Instructions

- 1
  Clean a plush doll as soon as a spill occurs by shaking the plush doll vigorously to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Use a clean, wet sponge to dab at the plush doll to dilute and remove as much of the stain as possible. Finish with an alcohol wipe after testing it on the bottom of the doll to check for colorfastness. Solid stains can be treated immediately with alcohol wipes; if it is a stubborn stain set it aside for washing.
- 2
  Check the label for washing instructions. If hand or machine washing is appropriate, open a seam on the bottom of the doll where it normally sits when placed upright.
- 3
  Remove the stuffing through the opened seam and set it aside to re-stuff it later. Take the opportunity to wash several plush toys at one time, keeping the stuffing for each doll separate from the others.
- 4
  Place the plush dolls loosely in a pillowcase and tie the pillowcase off at the end. Remove clothing from the doll and hand wash it as gently as possible. Allow it to air-dry.
- 5
  Wash the pillowcase filled with plush dolls by itself on the gentle cycle in mild detergent in cold water.
- 6
  Dry the filled pillowcase in the clothes dryer by itself on the gentle cycle on the lowest heat setting.
- 7
  Replace the stuffing in each doll, taking care to push it in carefully so that it fills the plush doll out evenly. Sew the seam.

Childrens Toys