Can you machine wash plush? If this question often comes in your mind, You have come to the right place.
Being parents, it is sometimes difficult when it comes to cleaning and swiping, as kids are the most messy around the home. And the difficult part has come when cleaning their dirty plush toys.
This is the job that makes a parent most frustrated. But what if it gets so much easier with the help of your washing machine?
Yes, you read right. Here in this article, I will talk about how you can clean your kid’s dirty plush toys with the help of your machine. So you do not think about it any more and can enjoy that time with your kids happily.
As a parent, you already need to take care of many things at once. However, if this job can make your hard times easy, then what else does a parent want?
What are the necessary steps you need to know before machine washing your plush toys?
Here, I discuss all the necessary steps you need to know before machine washing your favourite plush toys. So you do not damage the item. Let’s get started.
Check the Label
As you know, you need to keep your plush toys clean so your kids can be safe from dirt and germs. For plush toys, it is recommended to clean them on a monthly basis.
So before cleaning, you need to check and read the labels on your plush toys. Actually, maximum plush toys can be easily machine-washed, but some of the delicate items need to be washed by hand. That’s why it is important for you to read the label on your plush toys. So you do not damage the product.
Also, the label stated how you can really care for and properly clean the item. All the usage is written in the instructions on the label.
But if there is no care tag attached to your plush toy, then it is safe to wash it by hand rather than machine wash.
Furthermore, if your plush toys contain any electrical parts, sequins, or other delicate fabrics, then please go for hand-washing. Otherwise, machine washing can distort the product.
Use Gentle Mode
Machine washing is the easiest and most dependable way to clean your plush toys. If your plush toys are machine washable, then the next thing you need to check is to ensure that your plush toy is safely washed in the machine.
To ensure that, you need to keep your plush toys in gentle mode. Gentle mode is the most delicate setting in your washing machine, where the cycle is very carefully and slowly doing the process to clean the toy without damaging it.
For delicate items like plush toys or silk fabrics, it is always safest to choose the gentle mode in the machine.
Do Not Use Hot Water
When cleaning your plush toys in the washing machine, always be careful about the temperature of the water in the machine.
As hot water can damage the fabric and softness of your plushy. So always choose the cold water for cleaning in the machine. Also, hot water can minimize and shrink the plush toys. So be careful about this guideline, or your negligence can damage your favourite plush toy forever.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Another important consideration that you need to be very careful about is choosing a fragrance-free mild detergent for washing your plush toy.
Because harsh chemicals can seriously damage the product and can make stains or deteriorate the color of the toy.
Also, as kids have very sensitive skin and many of us also, it is important to pick the mild or baby detergent for washing, or it may irritate your kid’s skin. Furthermore, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or other things that can also have a serious impact on your soft toys.
Use Old Laundry Bags
Laundry bags are a great addition to this list. Using old laundry bags when cleaning your plush toys can make them safe and secure from direct washing.
It also protects the outer layer of your plushies, and if there is any decorative attachment to your plushies, then the laundry bag is very useful for this. If there are any old laundry bags in your home, then use them. Just place your plush toy within the laundry bag, seal the top with a knot, and place it in the machine.
If you do not have any laundry bags, then you can use old pillow covers or mesh bags. But remember one thing: you can only wash small or medium-sized plush toys in this method.
Use Sanitizer to Clean Plushie Quickly
If your small one does not want to be detached from their plushie for a long time, then laundry sanitizers are the best option for that time.
What you need to do is add sanitizer and start the machine in the delicate mode. Instead of laundry detergent, laundry sanitizer will clean your stuff and toys quickly and also kill 99.9% of germs in one wash.
So you will be out of worry, and your kid’s little companion also comes out germ-free. It also takes less time than a normal machine wash, so your kid does not need to wait for a longer period.
Additional Steps that Need to Be Followed
After machine washing, remove the plush toy from the laundry bag or pillow covers. Then squeeze the plushie gently and try to avoid too much squeezing or wringing, as this may damage the filing of your toy.
How to Dry Plush Toy
Now you can dry your plush toys in two ways: the first method is air drying, and the second is tumble drying using low heat.
Air dry
For air drying, you use a towel and place the plush toy on it. Do not keep the plush toy under direct sunlight; instead, place it under a semi-shade area where direct sunlight is not coming. Being exposed to direct sunlight can deteriorate the color of the plush toy.
Tumble Dry
In the case of tumble drying, you need to be very careful, do not use high heat to dry your plush toy. And before tumble drying in the machine, read the label carefully. If the label allows you to follow this process, then go for it.
When tumble dry, add some tennis balls in the machine so it will help the toy to be fluffy and also prevent clumping.
If you are washing your plush toys in the machine, it’s important to keep track of the cleaning cycle. Do not wash the plush toy too often; then it may damage the softness of your plush toys.
It is recommended to wash the plushies after every few months or when they are too dirty. By following the above steps, you can easily and quickly clean your plush toys in the machine. But try to follow the rules and happy cleaning.