The Kitchen Essential That Helps Give Well-Loved Stuffed Animals A Deep Clean

Anyone who has ever raised children of their own (or spent time with little ones, for that matter) will be well-acquainted with the importance of stuffed animals. These lovable plush creatures often have a special emotional significance to little ones — some children may even find it difficult to separated from the toys for any period of time. Sweet though this bond may be, it does result in grubby plush toys over time. For a gentle-yet-effective clean of your child's favorite stuffed animal, turn to this familiar kitchen essential and overall versatile cleaning tool: white vinegar.

To clean a stuffed animal with vinegar, you need a few supplies: a plastic bucket or kitchen sink (big enough to hold the plush toy), a mesh laundry bag, white vinegar, water, and some dish soap. Begin by placing the toy in the mesh bag, then put it into the bucket. Next, fill the bucket with a cleaning solution, consisting of one part vinegar and two parts water, along with a few drops of dish soap. Leave the toy in the mixture for several minutes to loosen any surface-level grime, after which you can launder it in the washing machine. The fabric-softening properties of vinegar, paired with its antibacterial nature, will result in a satisfyingly clean plush toy.

Washing any soiled or grimy item in the washing machine will yield a cleaner result than what you began with, but if you want to get the best clean there are a few additional tips to employ. If the stuffed animal has any matted or crunchy portions of hair or fur, grab a sponge soaked in your cleaning solution and saturate the extra-dirty area before scrubbing it gently. This spot treatment will help to break down the mess before you proceed with soaking the entire plush.

Remember that stuffed animals are very different than other types of laundry like sheets, towels, and clothing — they are made with structure, often are somewhat worn-out (and therefore more fragile), and in many cases have distinct laundering instructions. Be sure to read the tag for laundry codes so you'll know the correct approach to washing the toy, including what cycle, water temperature, and drying cycle to use in order to avoid disaster. 

If you are eager to clean your child's stuffed animals but are wary of placing them in the washing machine (as may be the case for very worn toys), you can always hand wash them. After soaking it in the vinegar and water solution, fill the kitchen sink with several gallons of warm water and two teaspoons of detergent for every gallon of water. Dunk the stuffed animal several times and leave it to soak for between 15 minutes and an hour. Drain the soapy water and rinse the toy thoroughly, until the rinsing water runs clear.

Rather than throwing the freshly washed animal in your dryer where it may be damaged, gently squeeze out the excess water, first with your hands, then with a large bath towel. If it is a sunny day, you can leave the toy outside to dry (the sunlight will also help to further disinfect it), or you can use a hair dryer on a low setting.