Cleaning Baby's Fabric Toys

ForOurFuture

I am getting to the time when I think that I should be cleaning my 6 month old's fabric toys. I remember my mum wasing them in the washing machine and hanging them on the line (30+ years ago I have to say!!) but the toys now have surface washable on the label, this probably sounds abit stupid but how exactly do I do this? Is it literally a case of rubbing them with a damp cloth and will this really get them clean? Any advice gratefully received ...

Queenie

ForOurFuture wrote:

... but the toys now have surface washable on the label, this probably sounds abit stupid but how exactly do I do this? Is it literally a case of rubbing them with a damp cloth and will this really get them clean? Any advice gratefully received ...

Yes, it's simply a case of giving them a sponge bath. Bit like you'd sponge a carpet stain.

Smelly soft toys can be put in a bag with some bicarb of soda and then shake off the excess.

You'll probably need to be a little cautious about the cleaning fluid because of your baby putting them in his/her mouth. I've used well diluted baby bath solution dabbed on any soiled areas and then 'rinsed' by dabbing with some clean water.

HTH

sooz

i put any soft toys that say surface washable in to the machine..well apart from the ones with music/batteries etc in them, unless these come out.

i put them into a net washing bag, wash on a wool/delicates cycle, and normally use lakeland's lavender wool wash instead of washing powder.

all have come out fine, even the really really fluffy things...though these sometimes need a blowdry to get back to fluffy.

i tried to sponge wash them a few times first, but really found that it made no differnce to the grubbiness.

they all get hung out on the line on a nice day, but i make sure i do it when the boy is at nursery, or all hell breaks loose if he sees all his favourite animals hanging :eek:

Gingham_Ribbon

I put them through the wool cycle. I'd like to give them a blast at 60 to get rid of dust mites, but I doubt they'd survive it. Never had a problem with washing them in the machine, but maybe it's worth just doing the sponge bath thing with favourites just incase. (And obviously anything with batteries etc.)

mistresslenore

I've heard you can put them in zip lock bags and put them in the freezer, supposed to kill all the mites

sooz

confined to the freezer and then put through the washing machine.....i think this is cruelty to soft animals :rotfl:

ForOurFuture

Thanks for the replies folks ... considering the fantastic weather I am going to risk the washing machine for some and the more favourite ones I'm going to give them a sponge bath! Putting them in the freezer seems a bit cruel but then I might do that one secretly!!:D

Ally

I hope this is the right place!

What is the best way to clean cuddly toys/teddy bears? We have 2 huge sacks full of them that need a clean after spending far too much time on top of the kids wardrobes!:eek: So they are dusty and some have 'gruby kids have been here' marks on them too!

Would it be ok to put them on a gentle wash in the washing machine? And then maybe a good spin? And what would be the best cleaner to use?

Any help appreciated! TIA!

Coupon-mad

Ally wrote:

I hope this is the right place!

What is the best way to clean cuddly toys/teddy bears? We have 2 huge sacks full of them that need a clean after spending far too much time on top of the kids wardrobes!:eek: So they are dusty and some have 'gruby kids have been here' marks on them too!

Would it be ok to put them on a gentle wash in the washing machine? And then maybe a good spin? And what would be the best cleaner to use?

Any help appreciated! TIA!

Hi, I would put them inside something like a duvet cover that you can pop closed, then machine wash them on a wool/gentle cycle at 30 degrees.

The duvet cover will help protect the eyes from being scratched. Make sure you use non-bio detergent (maybe Surcare which my Mum uses as she has sensitive skin) and a nice-smelling fabric conditioner.

Then hang them up by their ears on the line in the sun!

Pink.

Hi Ally,

We have a recent thread on the same topic so I have merged your thread with it, as it helps other Old Style readers to find all the suggestions on one thread. As always, posts are listed in date order so you'll nead to read from the beginning to see all the replies.

Pink

Rachie_B

as others have said i too wash things like teddies etc in the washing machine

they always come out fine

for things that cant go in the machine i wash with a sponge & solution of stardrops and water or soda crystals and water

also if they are just a bit musty sprinkle bicarb over in a pillow case or similar ,shake,leave a few hours then shake / hoover off