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How to Clean Stuffed Teddy Bears

The teddy bear has long been the trusted companion of children. Some are also meant for collecting, offering personalized details not found in the run-of-the-mill bears you might find in a department store. Whether you're holding a stuffed bear that's been on one too many adventures with your child, or want to maintain the beauty of your teddy collection, clean your bear immediately to keep it in good condition.

Things You'll Need

Cloth
Vacuum with brush attachment
Large bristled brush
Mesh bag
Washing machine
Mild laundry detergent
Room fan

Instructions

- 1
  Dust the teddy bear using a dry cloth to pat it down vigorously, or the vacuum with a brush attachment that can quickly whisk away any surface dust.
- 2
  Brush the teddy bear to dislodge any debris that's caught in the hair or against the bear's body. Use a large bristle brush and stroke the bear's fur in the direction you want the nap to go. This will not only clean the bear but rearrange any matted fur. It's perfect grooming for teddy bears that may have been in storage for a long time.
- 3
  Moisten the cloth and wipe the bear down using gentle pressure. After wiping down the entire bear, wipe again with a new damp cloth. Check the cloth's appearance. If it has marks on it, clean the bear again. Wipe and check the bear with a third cloth, repeating this process until the cloth no longer comes away dirty.
- 4
  Put the bear in a washing machine as a last resort. This should only be used if the bear is heavily soiled. Place the bear in a mesh bag and run your machine's gentlest cycle with cold water and a mild detergent--no bleaches or dyes. Remove the teddy bear and allow it to air dry next to a room fan. Brush the bear as it dries to help set the appearance of the bear's fur.

Plush Toys