Learning how to wash stuffed animals starts with the care label. Then pick one of three methods: a gentle machine cycle inside a pillowcase or mesh bag, a hand wash in soapy water, or a spot clean. Dry the toy completely before the next cuddle. These steps suit most kawaii plush toys.
Key takeaways
- The care label decides the method: machine wash, hand wash or surface clean only.
- Stuffed animals can go in a washing machine with laundry detergent, and they need no sanitizing solution afterward if washed by machine (DuPage County Health Department).
- Toys must be dried completely, in a dryer or by air-drying, and air-drying a stuffed toy can take longer than overnight (DuPage County Health Department).
- To remove dust mites, washing soft toys about once a month or putting them in a hot dryer for 20 minutes is recommended (University of Rochester Medical Center).
- After head lice, items that can't be washed or dry cleaned can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks (CDC).
Can you wash stuffed animals in the washing machine?
Yes, most stuffed animals can be washed in the washing machine if the care label allows it. Toys with electronics, glued-on parts, sequins or very old, fragile fabric should be hand washed or spot cleaned instead.
The DuPage County Health Department states plainly that "toys such as stuffed animals and play clothes can be washed in a washing machine." Before you load the machine, check the toy for these warning signs:
- A "surface wash only" label: the filling or fabric may not survive soaking.
- Batteries, sound boxes or lights: remove them if they come out, or skip the machine.
- Glued eyes, noses or decorations: heat and tumbling can loosen glue.
- Loose seams or small holes: stitch them closed first so the stuffing stays inside.
- Weighted beads or pellets: these need gentler care than a fiber-filled plush.
How to wash stuffed animals in the washing machine
Put the stuffed animal in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag, wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, then dry it fully. The bag protects eyes, ears and fur from rubbing against the drum.
- Check the label and the toy. Remove any clothing, accessories or batteries, and close any open seams.
- Bag it. Place the plush in a pillowcase tied shut or a zippered mesh laundry bag.
- Add towels. A few towels in the load help balance the drum and cushion the toy.
- Pick a gentle cycle. Use the delicate or gentle setting with a small amount of mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener unless the label says they are safe.
- Choose the water temperature. Follow the label. For everyday cleaning, our plush care guide recommends a delicate cycle at a low temperature of 30°C (86°F). For dust mites or lice, see the hot-water guidance below.
- Dry it completely. Move straight on to drying so the filling does not stay damp.
How to hand wash a stuffed animal
Hand washing means soaking the stuffed animal in a basin of water with a little mild detergent, gently squeezing the suds through it, then rinsing until the water runs clear. It is the safest choice for delicate toys.
- Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water and a small amount of gentle detergent.
- Submerge the toy and squeeze it softly so the soapy water moves through the filling.
- Work on stains with a soft brush or cloth, using small circular motions.
- Drain the soapy water and rinse in clean water, squeezing until no suds remain.
- Press out the extra water. Do not wring or twist the toy, which can lump the stuffing and stretch seams.
- Roll the plush in a clean, dry towel and press to absorb more moisture before drying.
How to spot clean stuffed animals that can't be washed
Spot cleaning means cleaning only the dirty area with a damp, soapy cloth, without soaking the toy. Use it for surface-wash-only toys, toys with electronics and quick fixes between full washes.
- Dust and crumbs: use a lint roller or a vacuum with an upholstery brush attachment.
- Small stains: dab with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then with a cloth dampened in plain water to rinse.
- Odors: sprinkle baking soda, let it sit, then brush or vacuum it off.
- Matted fur: once dry, brush gently with a soft brush to lift the pile.
Keep moisture to a minimum on toys with sound boxes or lights, and let the cleaned spot dry fully before the toy goes back to bed.
How to dry a stuffed animal
A stuffed animal can be dried in a dryer or by air-drying, as long as it ends up completely dry inside. The DuPage County Health Department advises drying toys "completely in a dryer or airdry overnight" and notes that air-drying stuffed toys may take longer.
| Drying method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Air-drying (flat or hanging) | Delicate, vintage or glued toys; large plush | Slow; thick filling can stay damp inside |
| Dryer on low heat, in a bag | Sturdy, label-approved plush | Heat can melt glue or flatten some fabrics |
| Hot dryer | Killing dust mites on label-approved toys | Only if the label allows high heat |
When air-drying, turn the toy from time to time and squeeze it to check for damp spots in the middle. A fan or a warm, airy room speeds things up. Once the plush is dry, brush the fur to fluff it back up.
How to wash large stuffed animals
Large stuffed animals that don't fit in your washer are best spot cleaned or washed in a bathtub, then air-dried for longer. Squeezing out water in sections helps the thick filling dry all the way through.
For giant plush, vacuum the surface first, then treat stains with a damp, soapy cloth. If the label allows a full wash, the bathtub method works like hand washing, only bigger: soak, squeeze, rinse and press out the water with towels. Give it plenty of time to dry, and check the center before anyone hugs it. Browse our giant stuffed animals for oversized plush made for long cuddles.
How often should you wash stuffed animals?
Wash stuffed animals whenever they look or smell dirty, after an illness and more often if someone in the home has a dust mite allergy. The University of Rochester Medical Center suggests washing soft toys about once a month to remove dust mites.
The University of Rochester Medical Center also advises limiting the number of soft toys to two or three, buying stuffed toys that are machine washable and notes that they "can also be put in a hot dryer for 20 minutes." Toys that only sit on a shelf need much less washing than a nightly sleep buddy.
Hot water, dust mites and lice: what health experts say
Hot water and high heat drying are what health agencies recommend for lice and dust mites. If a toy can't take the heat, sealing it in a plastic bag is the CDC's alternative for lice.
- Head lice: for clothes, bedding and items used by the infested person, the CDC recommends hot water (130°F) and high heat drying. "If you can't wash or dry clean items, seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks."
- Dust mites: the University of Rochester Medical Center recommends washing bedding in hot water (130°F) and suggests a hot dryer for 20 minutes for soft toys.
- Everyday germs: the DuPage County Health Department recommends the hot water cycle and laundry detergent, and says you do not need a sanitizing solution if toys are washed by machine.
Always check that the care label allows hot water and high heat first. For allergies, asthma or a lice infestation, follow the advice of your doctor or pediatrician.
Looking for more ways to enjoy your plush? Read also: Counting Sheep: Where It Comes From and Does It Work? and Long Distance Relationship Gifts That Feel Like a Hug.
Bring home an easy-to-love kawaii plush
Every Mister Plush toy is ready for cuddles the day it arrives, and these picks are in stock now:
- Taiyaki Cat Plush: a cat inspired by the fish-shaped Japanese pastry, filled with 100% PP cotton, in sizes from 11.8 to 31.5 inches, recommended for ages 3 and up.
- Mushroom Plush: an 11.8-inch red-and-white mushroom with PP cotton filling, small enough to fit in a laundry bag.
- Bread Cat Plush: a cat snug in a loaf of bread, in 23.6, 31.4 or 39.3 inches. The larger sizes are a good fit for the large-plush method above.
Find more snack-shaped and cuddly friends in our kawaii plush collection.
FAQ: how to wash stuffed animals
Can you put stuffed animals in the dryer?
Yes, if the care label allows it. Put the toy in a pillowcase or mesh bag and use low heat for everyday drying. The University of Rochester Medical Center says soft toys can go in a hot dryer for 20 minutes to remove dust mites. Skip the dryer for glued, vintage or delicate toys and air-dry them instead.
What temperature should you wash stuffed animals at?
Follow the care label first. For routine cleaning, a gentle cycle at a low temperature, such as 30°C (86°F), protects the fur and seams. For head lice or dust mites, health agencies such as the CDC and the University of Rochester Medical Center recommend hot water at 130°F, but only for toys that can take the heat.
How do you wash a stuffed animal without ruining it?
Protect it and go gently. Close any open seams, remove accessories and batteries, and place the toy in a pillowcase or mesh bag. Use a gentle cycle or hand wash with mild detergent, never wring it, and dry it completely. Brushing the fur once it is dry brings back its soft, fluffy look.
How do you clean a stuffed animal that can't get wet?
Clean the surface only. Vacuum it with an upholstery brush or use a lint roller, sprinkle baking soda to absorb odors and brush it off, then dab any stains with a barely damp, soapy cloth. After head lice, the CDC says items you can't wash or dry clean can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Conclusion
Knowing how to wash stuffed animals comes down to three things: read the label, pick the gentlest method that gets the job done and dry the toy completely. Use hot water and high heat only when the label allows it and you need to deal with lice or dust mites. Ready for a new cuddle buddy? Explore our kawaii plush toys.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Treatment of Head Lice
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Dust Mites
- DuPage County Health Department: Cleaning Toys is Important
