How to Make Stuffed Animals Soft Again

After your stuffed animal has been well-loved, it doesn’t always feel as soft and fluffy as it did when you originally got your animal friend. Before you toss your stuffed animal, read our tips on how to make your stuffed animal nice and soft again. Your favorite stuffed animal can get a whole new life with these tips and tricks.

1. Fixing Lumpy Stuffed Animals — You can go to a crafts store for assistance or do a little DIY fixing yourself. You can go to any fabric or crafts store to get polyester fiberfill stuffing. You can add or remove stuffing to your liking. Then, go through the proper washing and drying process to make your stuffed animal look and feel brand new.

2. Washing Your Stuffed Animal — All you need to do is place the stuffed animal in a pillowcase and tie both ends together so the toy won’t escape. You can also use a mesh laundry bag. It also acts as additional protection during the machine wash cycle. Wash the stuffed animal in a gentle or delicate setting in cold water to help prevent colors from fading. If you want to hand wash the stuffed animal, fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and detergent. Wash the stuffed animal in a pumping motion and then let it soak for about half an hour to an hour. Rinse until the stuffed animal is free of suds. Let it dry on a towel and use a hair dryer to fluff up the fur.

3. Drying Your Stuffed Animal — Just like you did in the wash, place the cute stuffed animals in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. Then, use a short and gentle cycle with a low-temperature setting. The air-dry setting is best if you have one on your dryer. If you don’t want to use the dryer, you can also let your stuffed animal air dry inside. Don’t leave it out in the sun. You can also use a hair dryer to help dry your stuffed animal.

4. Disinfecting Stuffed Animals — You can spray the stuffed animals with a disinfectant spray. When you go to wash the stuffed animals, you can also add a laundry sanitizer. Either method should help get rid of any icky germs that are on the stuffed animals.

5. Routinely Cleaning Stuffed Animals — The good news about cleaning stuffed animals today, according to Reader’s Digest, is that it’s much easier to clean today’s modern stuffed animals than it used to be. Back in the day, stuffed animals and teddy bears were made with unhygienic stuffing and hard-to-clean materials like wood wool and mohair. Today, you can simply stick your cow stuffed animal into the washing machine.

6. Make the Stuffed Animal Soft Again — One simple way to fluff up your stuffed animal again is by using a towel and rubbing the fur. The stuffed animal should be clean and damp. Use a soft comb to comb the fur as it dries and then allow it to air dry. You can also try using a hair dryer on damp fur. For stuffed animals with electronics in them, you don’t want to risk running it through a washing machine. Use a steam cleaner instead and then brush the fur afterward.

7. Signs It’s Time for a New Stuffed Animal — If your stuffed animal has any loose buttons or other accessories, it’s time to retire your stuffed animal. Especially for younger children, loose buttons can become a choking hazard. You can try to repair rips and tears, but not everyone has the time or skill to sew up a teddy bear. If you find yourself having to constantly wash and dry a stuffed animal, it might be time for a new stuffed animal friend. A brand new stuffed animal care package may be just what you or your little one needs.

Pictured: SendAFriend's Toby the Teddy Bear Care Package