Is it possible to wash soft toys in the washing machine. How to wash soft toys: a useful guide for moms. What should be the laundry during quarantine

The presence of soft toys is mandatory if there is at least one child in the apartment. As a rule, children are given and bought toys of various sizes and colors. Some children play, others stand on shelves or in the corner. During the game, any situation can occur, as a result of which the material gets dirty. The filler has the ability to absorb dust and dirt. Toys should be washed regularly. Correct actions will not spoil the appearance of the product, but will make it safe for the child.

On the label of many products you can see a note about the prohibition of washing in a washing machine. Proper hand washing of soft toys is much more gentle and delicate than machine washing.

Type in a basin of water with a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Choose the container and volume of liquid according to the size of the toy.
Dilute washing powder or liquid soap in water, dip the product into it, set it aside for half an hour.
If the material is not too fluffy, take a clothes brush and scrub, paying more attention to the soiled areas.
Remember the toy between the palms. Press.
Rinse under running water or multiple waters.
Press carefully. Do not twist too much to avoid damaging the material.
Dry in winter near heaters, in summer - in direct sunlight.

To better wash soft products, you must follow the basic rules:

It is strictly forbidden to place toys that are intended for the development of fine motor skills in the washing machine, as they use special balls as a filler. Such products often diverge along the seam inside the drum, leaving the filler inside the machine.
Products in which a special musical design is provided require especially delicate care. Only dry cleaning is suitable for them, wet washing is used if it is possible to remove the sound parts. Carefully open the seams and remove the element, darn the cut, wash. To return the music box to its place, repeat the steps.
If grease accidentally gets on the toy, treat the stain with ethyl alcohol, wash the item.
Carefully choose a detergent, because the toy is designed to come into contact with delicate baby skin. Powders should be designed for children's things and consist of natural ingredients.
Rinse the material thoroughly, do not be afraid to do this several times, the remnants of household chemicals can provoke an allergic reaction.
A toy stuffed with electronics cannot be washed in a wet way.

Quartz treatment reduces the development of bacteria, mold and microorganisms in the filler and fluffy material.

Washing in the washing machine

When using a washing machine, it is recommended to make sure that the product is suitable for this. Check all the seams, if the material in the drum is deformed, all the seams and holes will spread more, which threatens to lose the filler.

Washing soft toys in a washing machine includes the following steps:

Removing a musical element. If the pattern of the little animal does not imply taking out the structure, then open the seam in the most inconspicuous place, sew it up again.
Place the item in a special laundry bag, if it is not available, use a pillowcase. If part of the animal is lost during washing, the part will remain inside the bag. This action will prevent damage to the machine.
Set the mode in the washing machine for delicate or hand washing with a temperature regime of no more than 30 degrees Celsius.
Pour baby laundry detergent into the detergent drawer or grate baby soap on a fine grater. To prevent shedding of the material, pour half a teaspoon of citric acid into the drum. Soft toys can be washed with fabric softener.
After completing a complete wash cycle, turn on the extra rinse.
Turn off the spin, wring out the wet animal with your hands. If the label has a mark on the possibility of spinning, set the recommended number of revolutions to a maximum of 600.
Dry.

Dry cleaning

At home, some soft animals are cleaned without the use of water. For dry cleaning, prepare a vacuum cleaner, hot steam, select the time of sunny, frosty weather, it is recommended to use soda and starch as detergents. Vacuum the product, it is more convenient to use specialized nozzles for furniture that are included with almost any vacuum cleaner. The effectiveness of the method depends on the frequency.

The toy will always be clean if you vacuum it at least once a week. Completely clean the product will not work.

Take a plastic bag of the required size.
Throw the animal at him.
Sprinkle starch and soda on top.
Tie the bag tightly and shake it for a few minutes.
Untie the bag, remove the product, rub it with a brush, carefully treating especially contaminated areas.

Place the toy in direct sunlight. In old toys, over time, a large number of various bacteria, mites and microorganisms multiply. A mixture of soda and starch will disinfect the product and kill the pathogenic flora. In winter, after processing, take the product out into the cold. In summer, prolonged exposure to sunlight is recommended, and a small toy can be placed in the freezer for two days.

Wet cleaning

It involves the almost complete exclusion of water and replacement with soap suds. To prevent an allergic reaction in a child, use a baby detergent. Shavings of solid baby soap are great for cleaning soft toys.

Clean felt toys in the following way: moisten a sponge well with water and lather thoroughly with soap. Treat material, especially stains and soiled areas.

Dampen a clean cloth in cool water, remove the detergent. Leave to dry on a windowsill in direct sunlight.

If the toy has elements that are glued, the material must be carefully treated with soapy foam, remove the remnants with a dry cloth. Dry the item. If stains form on the material, treat the product with a sponge soaked in water acidified with lemon.

Proper drying

It is important not only to properly wash a soft toy, but also to dry it without spoiling its appearance. After washing, the product should be straightened and dried in a well-ventilated area, on a balcony or outside. Heaters are suitable for this purpose. Periodically approach the animal, beat, shake, to prevent clumping of the filler.

Caring for a soft toy knitted from wool implies horizontal drying. Spread a terry towel on the windowsill, place the toy and straighten it. As the towel gets wet, it is necessary to replace it with a dry one and turn the animal over. Comb the fluffy material after drying with a comb.

If the product was disassembled before washing, then it is necessary to return all the elements after the material has completely dried. Insert all electronic structures, fasten removable decorative parts, sew up if the seams are damaged in the process.

Children learn about the world around them in the game. Trying on various situations and bringing them to life with their trouble-free partners and constant companions in all endeavors - toys. With them, little entertainers are never bored. Everything about them is real. And toys have one secret. They are magical. Yes Yes! Don't believe? Then how do you think, accompanying their fidget owner everywhere and everywhere, they can always remain so clean? And the plush ones are also soft and fluffy. Here, for sure, it could not have done without a good wizard. Acts as a magician and sorcerer, of course, beloved mom. It is her golden hands that help the baby's toys look like new, no matter what. It is she who knows how to care for plastic, iron or wooden crumbs friends. And how to wash soft toys so that they do not lose their attractiveness. Do you know the secrets of this mysterious magic? No? Then let's get to know them together.

Why wash baby soft toys?

Agree, your toddler's toys have a very busy life. Adventures in it - more than enough. And at the doll dining table they eat, and they ride in a truck in the sandbox, and graze cattle in the wilds of the Wild West. After all this, how can you not lose your original brilliance?

Soft toys occupy a special place in the lives of our children.

Of course, appearance is important. After all, no child wants to play with an unattractive toy. But the health and safety of your baby is more important.

If with toys made of solid materials everything is more or less clear. It is enough to wash them regularly with soapy water and rinse under running water so that all hygiene rules are observed. Then the soft friends-comrades of your young naturalist quite often suffer from his curiosity.

Then he tries to treat them with porridge. That mud bath suits them. And then he also strives to put them to his bed. Yes, plus to all this - dust mites, causative agents of allergies in children. Which tend to appear in soft toys with improper care for them.

That is why the question of their cleaning and washing is so acute. And don't panic if you don't know how to do it. First you need to define a toddler.

And then you will decide what to do with them in order to give them their former brilliance and charm, and, of course, to make them still clean and safe for the crumbs to play and entertain.

Dust mites - the causative agents of allergies in children and adults - can live not only in carpets and pillows. Soft toys too - quite suitable housing for them

How to do it right?

If your baby plays with soft toys all the time, they should be cleaned or washed 1-2 times a month, depending on the intensity of use. If the little one rarely communicates with his plush friends, they need washing no more than 4-5 times a year.

To choose the right way to wash (clean) a soft toy, carefully study its characteristics.

Size . This is especially true for large toys. They are unlikely to fit in the washing machine, and drying them will be very problematic. Therefore, in such cases, dry cleaning is rarely dispensed with, or dry cleaning is chosen.
Availability of additional parts . And also attention should be paid to their fastening. We are talking about eyes, spouts, mouths, bows, collars, etc. Some of them would be advisable to remove, cut or tear off before washing (depending on how they are attached to the toy) to preserve their appearance. And then, after washing, attach back.
Filler . , usually filled with synthetic winterizer, foam rubber, cotton wool, sawdust, fluff, etc. Different materials react differently to moisture and temperature. This must be taken into account when choosing a washing (cleaning) method.
Electronic movement . It is inside toys that make some kind of sounds or reproduce some kind of movement. And before washing the drummer bunny, for example, or Masha's doll, who knows how to cry, it must be taken out without fail.
External material . Soft toys are fur, plush, knitted, rag. And some materials may well lose their original appearance when washed. They shed, shrink, or, conversely, stretch, lose their former shape and presentation. But nothing like that will happen to them if you wash them properly.

To wash toys, use hypoallergenic detergents - baby powder or shampoo

Handwash

By hand, you can wash toys that either will not fit into the washing machine by their size, or it is not advisable to moisten their filler, or the outer material cannot be machine washed, or they have an electronic mechanism that cannot be removed from them during washing. .

Before washing, soft toys should be vacuumed to remove dust from their outer cover and top layer of the filler.

First, properly, vacuum your favorite baby bears, bunnies and pigs.
Additional details can not be removed from them during hand washing.
You will need a container of water, a soft sponge, and baby shampoo (or another, necessarily hypoallergenic, detergent).
Lather the shampoo in water until a thick lather is formed.
Then scoop up the foam with a sponge and apply it to the surface of the toy.
After that, wash off the foam with a damp washcloth (you can use a microfiber cloth - it absorbs moisture well). Try not to wet the filler.
In order for the plush friends of the baby to be soft to the touch after washing, they can be sprayed from a spray bottle with fabric softener, previously diluted with water.
Dry toys with a hair dryer. In this case, fur is better to comb with a brush.
After washing, they must be taken out to fresh air for several hours. It will be useful for them to bask in the sun in summer and lie down in the cold in winter.

Remove all accessories from plush animals before washing.

Machine wash

In the machine, you can wash toys filled with foam rubber or padding polyester. In this case, do not be afraid that the filler will not dry out. Usually, manufacturers attach labels to them, which indicate whether machine washing is contraindicated for them.

It is better to remove and remove electronic mechanisms and additional parts from toys before washing in the machine.
Lay your baby's soft, fluffy friends first in a bag for washing delicate items, then in the drum of a washing machine.
Add baby detergent and fabric softener to the detergent container.
Set the streak temperature to -30°C.
Select the most gentle program, preferably without spinning.
If you want to wash a large toy, or one that is heavily soiled, you can take it apart. Or remove the filler from it and wash it separately in a bag, and the outer material separately. After drying, you then simply collect everything as it was.

After washing, soft toys are best dried in the fresh air.

How to dry?

It is better to dry soft toys in the fresh air. Knitted must be laid out on a dry towel. Under no circumstances should they be hung. The rest dry quite normally in limbo.

If it is not possible to take the toys outside to dry, place them in front of the battery or on the windowsill.

Do not forget to remove all electronic mechanisms from them before sending your furry friends to the washing machine.

Musical toys - what to do with them?

If electronic blocks and other mechanisms can be easily removed or removed from a toy, why not do it? Then it can be safely washed in the washing machine.

Most often, devices that make sounds are located in special pockets sewn on the back or stomach of dolls and cute animals. They are quite easy to remove from there, and after washing, return them to their place.

But some manufacturers hide electronics inside soft toys. Then you just have to feel the filler with your fingers, find the location of the mechanism, rip open the seam on the outer material, remove the mechanism and, of course, sweep the seam again. After washing, open the seam again, insert the mechanism and sew it thoroughly.

In the event that it is impossible to separate the electronics from the toy, it can be washed by hand. Or do dry cleaning.

Large plush animals are best dry-cleaned.

Big toy wet cleaning

If your child's soft toy competes with him in size, then, of course, it will be quite difficult for you to wash it on your own. Then you can't do without dry cleaning. The main thing is to deliver this overall item there. And there, specialists will cope with it without any problems.

Laundries use two types of dry cleaning: dry and wet. Dry cleaning uses vapors of chemical solvents that are unlikely to be useful for a child's body.

Therefore, if you already have to resort to such services, then you should choose water cleaning or water treatment. It is made with special detergents, without harmful solvents. And for their complete removal, things are thoroughly and repeatedly rinsed.

Regular care of your baby's toys is a guarantee of their cleanliness and safety for the health of the crumbs.

Regular care

To make sure that your baby, playing with his fluffy animals, does not harm his health, his toys should be regularly looked after. Wash them, as mentioned above, you do not need so often (depending on the intensity of use). But it is advisable to take care of soft toys every week. What is this care?

Here the choice is yours. You can vacuum them regularly. It collects dust that settles between the villi and on the top layer of the filler. And you can use dry cleaning or disinfection in the freezer.

Baking soda refreshes, cleans toys, and absorbs odors

Dry cleaning

Ordinary baking soda has a very interesting feature. It is able to collect small particles of dust. Baking soda also absorbs bad odors. These properties are used for dry cleaning of soft toys.

Take a large plastic bag and put the plush animals in it. You can clean 2-3 at a time, depending on their size.
Pour baking soda into the bag. The amount of it will depend, of course, on the size and number of toys.
Close the bag and shake it well so that the soda is evenly distributed over the surface of the animals.
After that, take them out and clean them with a brush. Or use a vacuum cleaner to remove the soda.

Dust mites are best dealt with by cold.

Disinfection in the freezer

But the best way to get rid of dust mites is with the help of cold. In winter, when it's freezing outside, take your child's soft toys outside and air them out for a few hours.

And in the summer, to disinfect plush animals of not very large sizes, you can use the freezer of an ordinary refrigerator. Just be sure to pack them before this procedure in a plastic bag.

Agree - this is not such a complicated science. But in no case should you underestimate the importance of regular care of children's toys. After all, a clean teddy bear in a baby's crib is pleasing to the eye and inspires confidence. Confidence that nothing threatens the health of the little one at the moment.

Video "Clean soft toys"

Before removing dust, dirt and stains, carefully read the labels on the products and arrange the toys, sorting them by size and washing method. Choose the best option: some items can only be dry cleaned, others can be sent to the washing machine. The size of the toy matters a lot. Large items are more difficult to wash and dry. Excess moisture provokes the reproduction of microbes, and the remnants of the powder with poor-quality rinsing can harm the health of the child.

Send some toys to the washing machine and then dry

Experts advise using the following cleaning products:

regular shampoo;
laundry soap.

Many mothers wash products only with their hands. When in doubt, the instructions or label will tell you if soft toys can be washed in the washing machine. Most items can easily tolerate such exposure, but only in a delicate mode. Manual cleaning is used in the following cases:

A bear or a bunny is sewn from different materials.
There are parts that can be fixed with glue.
The presence of eyes, nose and mouth, made of colored plastic - when washed, they can be scratched.
The filler is straw, cotton wool, sawdust.
The presence of a long pile, which may lose its luster and splendor.

You can wash the toy with baby powder

If such products are sent to the machine, the consequences can be unpredictable: stretched fabric, damp filler, etc.

Some toys do not tolerate moisture, so only dry cleaning is possible for them.

Musical products

Many modern toys can talk and sing songs. Children love them the most, so cleaning should be done more often. How to do it correctly? If the contamination is insignificant, they can be removed manually. Add the powder to the water, apply the mixture on a soft brush or sponge and process the product, removing dirt, then repeat all the steps with clean water.

If the item is too dirty, do the following:

Feel it and find the place where the electronics are located. Open the nearest seam.
Take out the box carefully. At this stage, it is recommended to check the power supply and replace it if necessary.
Darn and wash by hand or in the machine.
Dry the product, open the seam again, put the electronics back in place and sew everything neatly.

If everything is done correctly, the toy will still entertain the child and at the same time shine with cleanliness.

This is a gentle cleaning method that can be used on almost all toys. But it will require some effort. The easiest way is with small products - they easily tolerate spinning and dry quickly. Sequencing:

Wet the object, lather thoroughly with soap and leave for fifteen minutes. You can soak it in soapy water.
Wipe stubborn dirt well with a brush, shake hands.
Rinse the product, wring it out, straighten it, hang it to dry or lay it next to the heater.

How to wash your favorite soft toys in a washing machine? in this case, everything is very simple. Put them in a bag, fill in the powder, select gentle mode. To prevent the fabric from losing its color, the temperature should not exceed thirty degrees. Sometimes washing is allowed at sixty degrees - usually these are products intended for children under three years old. It is recommended to turn on the super rinse function - it will help remove all residues of the cleaning agent, as well as the conditioner - it will keep the product soft.

Spinning at a speed of more than six hundred revolutions is not recommended, as there is a risk of deformation. Instead, you can turn on the water drain. After washing, leave wet toys for several hours so that all the water is glass. After that, hang them on a rope or leave them in place until completely dry.

For many, the question is relevant, how to clean a large soft toy at home that cannot be washed in any way. One option is to take it to the dry cleaners. But in the absence of such an opportunity, spread the product, remove the filler and wash the shell. When it dries, stuff it and sew it up carefully.

Not all plushies can be washed - in this case, their label has a corresponding indication. There are two options.

Can you vacuum the toy?

If we are talking about a small toy, removing dirt is very simple. Prepare the following solution: dilute the powder, baby shampoo or other cleaning agent in water, shake thoroughly. Take the foam on the sponge and process the products, starting with the dirtiest areas. Dry each area thoroughly to remove moisture - a microfiber cloth works well for this.

Collect foam on a sponge and process the product

After cleaning with a spray bottle, spray the conditioner solution on the toy and dry it with a hairdryer, smoothing the fur with a comb. Then put the object near the heater or leave it on the balcony all night to dry. This method can also be used for large toys.

Individual items can only be dry cleaned. You will need a vacuum cleaner, hot steam, sun, frost, and starch soda. The easiest way to vacuum a toy is to install a special nozzle for cleaning furniture. You need to do this every week. But this method does not allow you to remove all the dirt from the pile.

Small items can be cleaned in the following way:

put them in a bag;
add a few tablespoons of starch or soda;
close the bag and shake well for a few minutes;
remove toys and brush.

Soda and well remove dust and dirt. If the toy is old, mites and harmful bacteria can live in it. You can get rid of them with the help of cold. Place the products in bags and put in the freezer for two days. In winter, they can be sent outside. Sunlight has a similar effect.

Laundry during quarantine

During exacerbations of infectious and viral diseases, soft toys require special care, as they quickly collect germs and unwittingly become a source of infection. Products that cannot be washed will have to be removed in a distant drawer. And wash the rest at least every other day. For disinfection, it is not recommended to use substances containing chlorine - they can harm the child. Wash plushies at 60 degrees, if appropriate, and then pour boiling water over them. Drying should be carried out only in the apartment, on a surface previously treated with antimicrobial agents.

Severe frost, sunlight and hot steam have excellent disinfecting properties. One of the available ways is to treat the products with an iron, turning on the steaming mode, or with a steam cleaner.

Soft toys are true friends for children, so they need to be taken care of, otherwise they will become dangerous to health. Try to wash and wash them as often as possible so that they keep a fresh look and please the baby.

Materials and tools

Materials:

fabric softener;
shampoo;
laundry soap;
soda;
baby soap;
powders for children's things;
starch.

Tools:

soft brush;
sponge;
microfiber cloth;
vacuum cleaner;
plastic bag;
comb;
iron;
steam cleaner.

When purchasing soft toys, it is better to immediately familiarize yourself with the rules for caring for them on the label. But if the purchase is already made and you think about the washing method only when dirt appears, use the following recommendations.

Choosing a cleaning method

If the tag is missing or the text on it has worn off, the cleaning method can be determined by the filler of the toy.

Hand wash only if:

It is stuffed with sawdust, fluff, buckwheat husks.
Its seams are very stretched and may come apart when machine washed.
There are glued elements: a nose, eyes or a lot of sewn-on jewelry made of beads, beads.
It is large and does not fit in the drum of a washing machine.
Made from natural fabrics.

You can wash soft toys in the washing machine (delicate mode) only if:

Eyes, nose, jewelry are sewn or glued very well. Or they can be torn off and sewn on again after washing.
The existing musical mechanism is removed and the seams are sewn up again.
The seams are strong enough, and then you do not have to clean the machine from the crawled out filler.

Handwash

It is not difficult to wash a soft toy by hand, especially if its size is small.

Treat oily stains with dishwashing gel.
Dissolve the powder for baby clothes in a bowl of warm water.
Soak a soft toy in it for 30-40 minutes.
Rub with a soft brush visible dirt, greasy places.
Rinse thoroughly. Change the water 3-5 times until it becomes clear.

Automatic in the machine

You can wash soft toys in the washing machine if it is approved by the manufacturer.

Remove musical mechanisms, if any. The ripped seam is well sewn up. So the filler will not fall out during washing.
Place a soft toy in a special bag or in a regular pillowcase and tie tightly. This will help prevent the filler from clogging the machine if suddenly some seam does not withstand scrolling in the drum. Also, small decorations, glued eyes, ears, nose, if peeled off, will remain in it, and then they can be glued or sewn on again.
Select the washing mode "delicate" and the temperature 30˚С.
Add powder and fabric softener to the tray.
To be sure that all detergent compositions are rinsed out, you can use the “extra rinse” function.
Disable spin. It can deform the toy. The "400-600 revolutions" mode is set if it is approved on the product tag.

Drying

Proper drying will help to avoid the smell of mustiness and dampness from the toy.

After washing, it is better to squeeze out a soft toy by hand. Pulling it out of the pelvis or drum, run your hands over it from top to bottom.
Lay on a horizontal surface, and gently press to remove the remaining water.
Wrap it in a non-shedding thick cloth or terry towel. Moisture is quickly absorbed into it.
Remove the towel and leave the toy in a horizontal position, such as on a clothes dryer, in a well-ventilated room. When drying indoors, a musty smell may appear in the filler.
Comb the pile of the toy with a comb with rare teeth until it is completely dry.
Periodically turn the product over and shake to dry all sides evenly, and then the filler will not clump.

Drying in an upright position, such as hanging from a clothesline, may cause warping.

You can reduce the drying time by placing the product next to radiators or a heater. But you can not dry near an open fire. This is a fire hazard.

Washing voluminous toys

Washing very large soft toys in the machine will not work. But they can be put in order in three ways.

Method 1 "Big Wash"

Wash in a large basin or tub. Place the toy in warm soapy water for 30-40 minutes. To rub strong pollution a brush with a soft bristle. Apply dishwashing detergent to grease marks. Rub and crush the toy with your hands and rinse, changing the water about 5 times. You can dry it outside under the sun, placing it horizontally.

Method 2 "Filler separately"

A large soft toy is difficult to turn over and wring out during hand washing. You can wash the filler and its upper shell separately.

To do this, you need to open the seam on the side, pull out the filler, place it in a laundry bag or pillowcase, tie it tightly or sew it up, and wash it in the machine on a “delicate” mode. And wash the outer fabric by hand so that the plastic parts and decorations do not come off.

After washing, spread the filler on a flat surface and dry. You can hang the “skin” of the toy vertically for drying. Periodically comb the pile with a comb or a special brush for fur care. Return to fill in place only after complete drying of all components.

Method 3 "Wet cleaning"

In a basin of warm water, dissolve the powder or baby shampoo and beat the foam.
Clean the toy with foam using a brush.
After wiping it with a microfiber cloth or foam rubber sponge moistened with clean water and well wrung out.
Dry in a well ventilated area. It will take less time to dry, as the filler will remain almost dry, especially its inner layers.

Dry cleaning (verified by the editors)

It is applicable to soft toys that may become unusable due to contact with water. In them, a filler of small balls, the so-called anti-stress toys, or a mechanism is stretched along its entire length, for example, in the paws, head, and it is impossible to pull it out neatly by opening one seam.

Method 1

Vacuum soft toys every three weeks using a furniture cleaner. This will remove dust and dust mites from the extreme layers of the filler.

Method 2

Place the toy in a large plastic bag with baking soda or starch.
Tie it tightly, and shake the product in it for about 5-8 minutes. Baking soda absorbs dust and dirt.
Remove the toy from the bag, shake off the soda or starch with a brush and vacuum.

Edited by:

First of all, we check the package for strength, pour a pack of soda. We place the toy, in our case it is a small polar bear, we tie it and shake it over the bathtub or sink. So more reliable. You can not shake, but like rubbing soda into a toy.

Then we clean the bear with a medium-hard bristle brush, shaking off the soda from it. This action will additionally fluff the pile. Vacuumed. Didn't even need to brush. Did the teddy bear get cleaner? – Yes, definitely.

Conclusion: a very convenient way to clean soft toys, simple. Visually, it seems that the "after" photo is lighter, but the effect is really noticeable.

High and low temperature cleaning

These methods are universal, they will help to clean even soft toys that cannot be wetted and washed.

In summer, in very hot weather, products can be taken out to the balcony, veranda or gazebo in the country. And then knock out the dust with an ordinary cracker. Dust mites, which began to appear in the first layers of the filler, die from high temperatures. Drying in the sun is more suitable as a preventive method against harmful microorganisms..

A steam generator or an iron with a steam function are good helpers in the fight against bacteria, especially if the child is sick and constantly comes into contact with his favorite toy. Just steam it every two or three days. After using a quartz lamp, microbes and bacteria die in toys.

Many of them are afraid of low temperatures. Therefore, the product, placed in a bag, can be kept for several days in the freezer or on the balcony in severe frosts.

Regular care of children's soft toys will keep the health of the residents of the house and its appearance.

Over time, soft toys become dirty and dusty, so they need to be cleaned and washed periodically.

If it is enough to wash plastic animals, then soft products tend to absorb dust, which negatively affects the baby's well-being. Microbes and some types of dust mites begin to multiply in the fabric and filler, so washing should be done regularly.

When buying, pay attention to the tag where the manufacturers indicate how to wash and clean the toy.

Can soft toys be washed in the washing machine?

Read the label before washing. Manufacturers indicate the acceptable processing methods, the recommended temperature for hand and automatic washing, if allowed.

If the tag is missing and it is impossible to make out the text, use the recommendations that are suitable for most soft toys.

It is necessary, first of all, to be guided by the recommendations on the tag.

Determine whether it is acceptable to send a particular product to a drum or basin of soapy water. Do not wash:

large toys that cannot be accommodated in the compartment of the machine;
with musical devices inside that will become unusable when exposed to water;
products filled with feathers, buckwheat husks, sawdust.

How to wash soft toys in a washing machine

Toys in the machine are recommended to be washed in a special case in a “delicate” mode.

Check the integrity of the seams. It is important that there are no holes and torn spots on the surface. If you find damage, sew up the gap and only then start washing.

Observe the following rules:

Use "delicate" or "manual" modes to avoid damaging the fabric.
Wash items at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees.
Choose a liquid cleanser.
After the end of the main cycle, run an additional rinse mode to clean the fabric and filler not only from dirt and dust, but also from detergent residues.
Spin the toy by hand or select the minimum spin setting.

For drying, it is better to take the toy to fresh air, placing it in the shade. If it is raining and very cold outside, dry it in a room, away from the radiator and heaters.

How to clean a large soft toy

The easiest way is cleaning with soapy water. But this method is only suitable for removing spot contaminants.

A large bear cannot fit into the drum. But even large items get dirty and need thorough cleaning.

Some housewives prefer to clean them with special washing vacuum cleaners, this procedure is quite simple and effective, but not everyone has such a device.

Use the “dry cleaning” method by treating the surface with soapy water and then with clean water. The method is applicable when there is slight contamination on the fabric.

In case of severe contamination, the toy will have to be disassembled in parts.

If your child has heavily soiled the toy and there are a lot of stains on the surface, it will have to be torn open and washed in parts (the part that is needed), do the following:

Disassemble the product by tearing it at the seams.
Remove the filling and place it in cloth bags or old pillowcases.
Wash on a delicate cycle first the filler bags, after sewing them up, and then the fabric parts.
Thoroughly dry the parts of the product and the filler, remembering to periodically “beat” the pillowcase in which it is sewn up.
Assemble the toy, fill it with "stuffing" and sew it tightly.

If you are not sure that you can sew the toy back neatly, contact a dry cleaner. Specialists will easily take over this work and your baby will be able to enjoy the game again.

How to wash a soft musical toy

It is impossible to wet musical toys, from this the mechanism will become unusable. What to do in this situation? Experienced mothers recommend:

Rip open the "soft friend" and remove the musical mechanism.
Sew up the product.
Wash normally and dry completely.
Sew the music box back.

Some manufacturers place the mechanism in a special pocket, which simplifies the wet cleaning process, since it can be pulled out without tearing the seams.

How to disinfect soft toys during quarantine

During an epidemic of infectious diseases, toys need additional cleaning, as they are a "storage" of bacteria, and therefore a carrier of the disease.

Steam with an iron.

However, many have a negative attitude towards sparing products, as they cause allergic reactions. Washing your laundry more often than usual will greatly reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

During quarantine, set the water temperature higher than during normal treatment. If the manufacturer allows washing at high temperatures, increase the rate to 60 degrees.

When processing large toys, it is allowed to use steam using an iron with a vertical steam function.

How to clean a soft toy that can't be washed

For items that cannot be washed, apart from dry cleaning, there is only one possible cleaning method - this is “dry cleaning”. The procedure is performed like this:

Fill a large container with warm water.
Add baby shampoo or laundry detergent and beat until foamy.
Using a soft brush, apply the cleaning composition to the surface of the product and thoroughly wipe the fabric. In this case, only foam should be used so as not to wet the material too much.
Then the product is wiped with a damp sponge or cloth to remove detergent residue.
Dry "plush friends" in the air or in a warm, well-ventilated room, away from radiators and heaters.

If, after drying, traces and stains from the powder are visible on the product, small impurities remain, the procedure is repeated.

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