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The Importance of Washing Stuffed Animals Regularly

Above top view adorable slumber little girl embrace stuffed toy dog sleeping in comfortable bed with white fresh linens, closed eyes kid resting having daytime nap refreshment, bedtime ritual concept

A stuffed animal is a child’s best friend. They go for car rides, play in the backyard, and travel to every corner of your child’s imagination with them. With all of this adventure, they are bound to get a bit dirty on their travels, which is why it is so important to wash your stuffed animals on a regular basis.

Why Should You Wash Stuffed Animals?

If your child has any allergies, regular washing of their stuffed animals will help to prevent flare ups. Dust mites can collect on stuffed animals, potentially causing eczema and asthma attacks. Besides when your stuffed animals get dirty, it is also important to wash them after your child is sick, or if there is a case of head lice found at their school.

When Should a Stuffed Animal Be Washed?

Any parent will tell you that trying to get a stuffed animal away from a child is a difficult task, especially if it is a favorite one. Nevertheless, it’s still important to wash them every now and then. You should try to wash your little one’s stuffed animal friends when you notice that they are soiled, have food or other grime on them. We recommend getting this task done during the day, so your child can still go to bed with Teddy in their arms at night.

How Should You Wash a Stuffed Animal?

A common misconception about washing stuffed animals is that they will be destroyed in the washing machine. However, you can put a stuffed animal in the washing machine with no problem at all. Just make sure you put the washing machine on its gentlest cycle to prevent any buttons from falling off.

You can also follow our guide here on how to wash your stuffed animal in a washing machine or by hand. And if you have further questions, the pros at The Zoo Factory are always here to help!

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How to Clean Your Old Stuffed Animals

Teddy Bear in a Bath

Your old teddy has been with you through thick and thin. New schools, new jobs, new places, you’ve brought that teddy with you everywhere. Maybe you’ve even passed it on to your son or daughter, who has proceeded to take teddy with them on their own adventures. But the years have taken a toll on ol’ teddy, and he just doesn’t look as good as he did all those years ago. If that’s the case, it really is time to give him a good cleaning, not just for your own sake (as stuffed animals can easily become germ magnets) but for his sake too. Here’s how:

Hand-washing stuffed animals

You may groan at the idea of hand-washing something, but it really is the safest route for your stuffed animal. Especially if they have glued-on items, delicate clothing, or are a few decades old, you should really be hand-washing them. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

Step 1: Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water and detergent

Step 2: Wash using a pumping motion

Step 3: Let it soak for 30-60 minutes depending on its condition

Step 4: Rinse until free of suds

Step 5: Squeeze out any water and let it dry on a towel, using a hair dryer to fluff up the fur

Machine-washing stuffed animals

If you determine that your stuffed animal can be safely machine-washed, then the process is pretty straight-forward. Just follow these tips to help your stuffed animal come out in one piece:

  • Use the gentlest cycle on your washing machine
  • Use cold water and mild detergent
  • Place it into a mesh bag if possible
  • Let it air-dry on a towel, using a hair dryer to fluff up the fur

And voila! Your old friend looks just like new.

But as much as you love your old teddy, you can never have too many stuffed animals. If you feel like your teddy could us a new companion, then stop by The Zoo Factory to see all of the stuffable animals that we offer!

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Why It’s Important To Clean Your Stuffed Animal

You may keep a very clean home, shampooing your carpets and disinfecting your surfaces regularly to keep your kids safe from everyday germs that can be very harmful to them. What you may not realize, though is that their security item, like their stuffed animals, also need a little bit of extra attention in order for your children to stay safe.

The most common issue that your child’s stuffed animal would likely have is dust mites, and dust mite allergens can become a contributing factor to eczema and asthma flare-ups. Stuffed animals can also be home to other harmful bacteria that can pass colds and flus, from one child to another or from your child to you.

Why It’s Important To Clean Your Stuffed Animal

Luckily for you, as long as your child’s stuffed animal fits in the washing machine, you can prevent the spread of germ and allergens! With the help of a laundry bag, like the ones we have available on our site, your stuffed friends become machine washable.

We recommend that you wash your furry friends once per week at a high temperature with antibiotic detergent. The laundry bag will ensure that your stuffed friend will stay intact and unharmed in the washing machine, as well as the dryer. Rips and tears could occur if your teddy gets snagged on buttons or zippers that are also in the washing machine, but our laundry bag will prevent all of these issues.

Pick up a laundry bag today and stick those stuffed animals in the wash to get rid of germs and allergens that are hiding behind their sweet plush faces. Get your hands on these helpful stuffed animal cleaning accessories from The Zoo Factory! For more information or to order any of our great products, contact us today!

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Cleaning Your Stuffed Ani-pal

UnicornKids and stuffed animals; they go together like cheese and crackers. Your child’s favorite fluffy friend is a companion, confidante, and playmate. Keeping these treasures clean and cared for is something your child can get into quite easily with a little help from you.

 

Pookie the piglet or Snowflake the rabbit are going to get soiled and collect dust and your child should know that, just as he needs to take care of his body, his ani-pal’s body needs care as well. Showing him how to do this is not only instructive, but creates a deeper bond between child and stuffed animal.

 

A simple hand-held vacuum can be used regularly to remove surface dust, and even a young child can do this. Make sure to get into all of Snowflake’s crevices, to vacuum feet, and give the entire body a good overhaul. It might also be good to explain to your child that dust is bad for his pal as well as himself, and that removing dust is good for Pookie’s health. Children imbue their toys with human emotions and needs, and your child will want a happy and healthy stuffed animal.

 

dragonEvery few months it is a good idea to give your child’s stuffed animal a “bath” by putting it in the washing machine. Use cold water and a gentle cycle and follow the cleaning instructions on the animal. While you are doing this you will be teaching your child how to use the washing machine, as well as helping him understand that his ani-pal needs to be clean just as he does.

 

You can make these tasks fun events for your child, special times for him and his stuffed animal to share together. And they can be instructional as well. This is a time for teaching your child how to care for someone other than himself, and these times of growth are important and precious for everyone, even for you.
 
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Cotton Candy Dryer Sheets & Teddy Needs a Bath

 

The Zoo Factory is now offering awesome products from a Shark Tank success story! Shark Tank is an Emmy nominated reality show, in which self-made entrepreneurs search to invest in some of the best businesses and ideas in the country. A recent winner had an idea that was too awesome for us to forget about. Subsequently, The Zoo Factory now carries Cotton Candy Dryer Sheets and Teddy Needs a Bath Bags.

 

Teddy Needs a Bath

The National Allergy Association suggests cleaning your child’s stuffed toys often, at least once per month. Washing a stuffed toy in a traditional washer and dryer may effectively destroy bacteria, but it could destroy your son or daughter’s beloved ‘pet’ as well.

Teddy Needs a Bath is a safe, pediatrician recommended solution for removing bacteria and dust mites, while keeping the toy intact.

Cotton Candy Dryer Sheets

You can add to the excitement by drying the stuffed animal with a scented dryer sheet. Place it inside the Teddy Needs a Bath laundry bag, along with the toy, and it will come out smelling sweet and feeling soft.

For more information about these awesome products, visit: teddyneedsabath.com