Stuffed Animals and Care 101

Everything needs some tender loving care and that includes stuffed animals. Yes, you’ve read that right. Toys need all the loving too and not just in terms of playtime. We mean cleaning, storage and upkeep too. So what exactly does it take to be able to say that you’re one amazing toy parent? We’ve got some tips for you.

·      Know your toy. – Each and every stuffed animal is different. We’ve got varying sizes, materials and manufacturers. Each of these three factors will pinpoint the right practices and proper upkeep that should be given to every item making it a must.

·      Err on the side of safety. – When in doubt, do less and keep it as safe as possible. Sometimes, you have no idea as to what the exact care instructions are because the item’s lost its tag or it’s an old one that has been passed down to you. At times like this, say no to any cleaning experiments.

·      Pick a type of storage. – For regular stuffed animals there are toy boxes, drawers and chests. For pieces that are more for display rather than play, shelving and cabinets do the trick best. It is important to pick a type of storage or a combination that will suit the type, purpose and number of all toys.

·      Keep them out of reach. – Especially for limited editions and collectibles, it is important to have them high up enough to avoid kids and pets from tearing into them. Unlike the regular ones, these can pack quite the price.

·      Don’t store anywhere humid. – Moisture is one of the number one enemies here. It encourages the growth of molds and can even lead to other problems like insect infestations and rodent bites. Nobody wants that. Be sure to pick an area of storage that isn’t humid or tends to accumulate moisture.

·      Never place them inside plastic bags. – As mentioned previously, we want no moisture or humidity. Putting toys inside plastic bags will bring it in and create quite the nightmare that we all hate to be in. Avoid it.

·      Clean without the heat. – Any amount of heat or high temperature can damage stuffed animals. This is why washing should only be done using lukewarm water and drying must not involve direct sun or heat exposure. It can make the toy brittle, burn through the fur, melt certain accessories and dull out colors.