How to Wash a Teddy Bear

Cleaning a Build-A-Bear

How do you wash a stuffed bear without damaging it?

I got my furry friend from Build-a-Bear last summer. Because he is well-loved, it wasn't long before he became as dingy as an old sock. We also noticed how his furry body appeared "slimmer."

Ordinarily, we would send our bears to the dry cleaners. Still, when we have plenty of time to spare or when we're running on a low budget, we go for hand or machine wash and air dry them. However, if the stuffed animal has sound boxes (the ones which hold tiny electrical parts so your toy has a heartbeat, can laugh, and play a tune) these won't work. Immersing them in water might ruin the sound boxes, and the stuffing might get damaged when soaked.

Looking for the "best" thing to do, my sister came across a lot of articles. We read about putting the stuffed animal in pillowcases before cleaning them in the washing machines. Using a mild detergent,  it says put the pillowcase (with the toy inside )into the machine , and set on gentle cycle. Another way was making a slit in a side seam and removing the stuffing. After the stuffing is removed, wash the outer skin . Once the outer skin is washed and dried, refill the skin with stuffing and sew the animal back up. 

The first suggestion would have worked only if our teddy had no sound boxes in him. The second one--aside from being time-consuming--made us worry that our furry friend might look "different" , and the animal's shape and formation  might change.

Faced with the task, my sister went back to what the tag says, "surface wash and air dry."  The same "best advice" came from an aunt, who's been in the laundromat service for a long time:

1. Fill half a basin with water.
2. Pour in mild bath or detergent soap.
3. Dip the washcloth into the mixture and squeeze out excess water.
4. Rub your washcloth on your furry friend's body.
   
5. Repeat this until the whole body's been covered. Drain the dirty water and put in clean water.
6. Rinse the bear using a washcloth. Remember to squeeze out excess water.
   
7. Lay it down on the towel and gently squeeze the bear till excess water comes out. Rub the towel on the bear.
8. Dry the bear  in front of a heater or a hair dryer--but not too close.
9. Dry quickly and completely so it doesn't mildew.