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Posted By: Truly Free Home
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Posted On: 12/18/2025
Before tossing any stuffed animal in the wash, take a minute to prep.
Read the care label. Most stuffed animals have a tag with washing instructions. If it says "surface wash only" or "spot clean," follow that advice—some toys have materials or fillings that can't handle a vacation in the washing machine.
Check for damage. Look for loose seams, missing eyes, or holes. If the toy is falling apart, hand wash it or spot clean instead. Machine washing, even on a gentle cycle, could make the damage worse.
Pre-treat stains. If there are visible stains, lightly mist the area with Truly Free Home Laundry Stain Spray and let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
Remove any loose parts. Take off clothing, accessories, or anything detachable that could get lost or damaged in the wash.
Machine washing is the easiest option for most stuffed animals, as long as they don't have electronics, easily damaged embellishments, or materials that can't get wet. Here’s how to machine wash stuffed animals.
Step 1: Place the stuffed animal in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. This protects it during the wash cycle and keeps any potentially loose parts contained.
Step 2: Set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with cold water.
Step 3: Add a small amount of Truly Free Home Laundry Wash—about ¼ cap for a small load. This non-toxic laundry detergent is safe for kids' toys and won't leave harsh chemical residue behind.
Step 4: Skip the fabric softener. It can leave a coating on the toy that feels stiff or sticky.
Step 5: Once the cycle finishes, remove the stuffed animal and move on to drying. (See below.)
Hand washing is the safer choice for delicate stuffed animals, older toys, or anything with painted details or fragile materials. Here’s how to hand wash stuffed animals.
Step 1: Fill a sink or basin with cool water and add a small amount of Truly Free Home Laundry Wash. Swish gently to mix.
Step 2: Submerge the stuffed animal and gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. Avoid scrubbing or twisting—this can damage seams and stuffing.
Step 3: Drain the sink and refill with clean, cool water. Rinse the toy by gently squeezing it until all the soap is gone.
Step 4: Press the stuffed animal gently against the side of the sink to remove excess water. Don't wring or twist.
If your stuffed animal can't be washed—maybe it has electronics, music boxes, or delicate materials—spot cleaning is your best bet.
To spot clean stuffed animals, mix a small amount of Truly Free Home Laundry Wash with cool water. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture, wring it out, and gently dab the dirty areas. Avoid soaking the toy. Once clean, use a damp cloth to rinse away any soap, then let it air dry.
Drying is an integral part of the stuffed animal washing process. How you go about it matters. Choose the wrong drying method, and you may have a lot of explaining to do to a distraught little one. Here’s how to dry stuffed animals.
Air dry method (safest): Lay the stuffed animal flat on a clean towel or hang it in a well-ventilated area. Reshape it as needed and let it dry completely. This can take 24 hours or more, depending on size and filling. Avoid direct sunlight as it could fade colors.
Machine dry method (for sturdy toys only): If the care label allows it, you can tumble dry on low heat with a few clean towels to cushion the toy. Check on it frequently to make sure nothing is melting, shrinking, or getting damaged. Remove the stuffed animal while it’s still slightly damp and let it air dry.
Hot water. It can cause colors to fade, fabrics to shrink, and glue to loosen.
Harsh detergents or bleach. These can damage delicate fabrics and leave toxic chemical residue on the toys your child will be cuddling.
High heat in the dryer. Heat can melt plastic parts, shrink fabric, or cause stuffing to clump.
Washing toys with electronics. Water and batteries don't mix. Spot clean these instead.
Stuffed animals may need a little extra care, but keeping them clean doesn't have to be stressful. With gentle handling and non-toxic products like Truly Free Home Laundry Wash, you can keep your child's favorite toy fresh, soft, and ready for the next adventure.
