How to wash soft toys at home

To wash soft toys at home, check the label and what’s inside first, then spot-clean small marks or hand-wash the whole toy in lukewarm water with a little mild detergent. Squeeze, don’t wring, rinse until no suds are left, and dry it completely in a breezy, shaded spot. Toys with batteries, music boxes or glued-on parts should only be surface-cleaned.

Check the toy before you wash it

A few quick checks tell you how much water a soft toy can take.

• The care label. Many plush toys say “surface wash only” or give a maximum temperature. Follow it if there is one.
• What’s inside. Squeeze the toy. Plain polyester fibre filling copes with a gentle wash. Bean or pellet filling, foam, or anything that crunches can clump or go out of shape when soaked.
• Electronics. A voice box, music box, lights or battery pack mean no soaking at all. If the unit comes out through a seam or a Velcro opening, take it out first. If it can’t, stick to surface cleaning.
• Glued parts. Glued-on eyes, noses, sequins and felt pieces can come loose in water. Sewn-on parts are much safer.
• Age and wear. A very old or much-loved toy with thin fabric or loose seams can tear. Stitch up any open seams before you start.

Spot-clean small marks first

For a light mark or a toy that can’t be soaked, a spot-clean is often enough.

1. Mix a few drops of mild liquid detergent or baby shampoo into a cup of lukewarm water.
2. Dip a clean, soft cloth or an old soft toothbrush in the suds, not the water, so the fabric stays only damp.
3. Work the mark gently in the direction of the fur.
4. Wipe off the soap with a second cloth dampened in plain water.
5. Blot with a dry towel and let it air-dry.

If the mark is food, such as curry or sauce, act early. The same ideas as in How to get a curry stain out of clothes apply.

How to hand-wash a soft toy, step by step

Hand-washing is the gentlest full clean for most plush toys.

1. Fill a basin. Use lukewarm water, not hot, and stir in a small squirt of mild detergent.
2. Submerge and squeeze. Push the toy under and squeeze it gently several times so the soapy water moves through the filling.
3. Soak. Leave it for about 15 to 30 minutes for general grime.
4. Work the dirty spots. Use your fingers or a soft toothbrush on paws, faces and any grey patches.
5. Rinse well. Change to clean water and keep squeezing until no more suds come out. Leftover soap makes fur stiff and attracts dirt again.
6. Press out the water. Roll the toy in a thick towel and press. Don’t wring or twist it, which can bunch the filling and strain the seams.

Can you put soft toys in the washing machine?

Some sturdy, sewn-together toys with fibre filling and a label that allows it can go in the machine. Put the toy in a mesh laundry bag or a zipped pillowcase, use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water and mild detergent, and choose a low spin. Leave out anything with electronics, glued parts, pellet filling or delicate fabric. When in doubt, hand-wash. For more on what should stay out of the drum, see How to tell what not to machine-wash.

Dry it all the way through

Drying matters more than washing. A soft toy that stays damp inside will start to smell and can grow mould, and that happens easily in KL’s humid weather.

• Lay it flat on a dry towel or hang it by a sturdy part with pegs, in a breezy, shaded spot or under a fan.
• Turn it every few hours so all sides dry evenly.
• Keep it out of strong direct sun, which can fade colours and make some fur go stiff.
• Don’t use the dryer on high heat. Synthetic fur can melt or mat.

A thick toy can take a day or more to dry right through. Squeeze the middle before you give it back: if it feels cool or damp inside, it needs longer. If a toy already smells musty, the tips in How to get rid of musty smell in clothes work for plush too.

Fluff the fur after washing

Once it’s dry, brush the fur gently with a soft, clean hairbrush or a wide-toothed comb to lift it and bring back its fluffy look. Squeeze and shape the toy with your hands to spread the filling out again.

How often to wash soft toys

A toy your child sleeps with or carries everywhere needs a clean more often, roughly every few weeks, and after any illness in the house. Shelf toys usually only need dusting and an occasional wash. Washing bedding at the same time helps too; see How to wash bedding at home.

FAQ

Can I wash a soft toy with batteries inside?

No. Remove the battery or sound unit if it comes out. If it can’t, only surface-clean the toy with a damp, soapy cloth.

What detergent is best for soft toys?

A mild liquid detergent or a gentle baby shampoo. Avoid bleach and strong stain removers, which can fade or damage the fabric.

How do I make a soft toy fluffy again after washing?

Dry it fully, then brush the fur gently with a soft brush and squeeze it into shape so the filling spreads evenly.

Soft toy cleaning at our Cheras shop

If a toy is big, old, has glued parts, or you just don’t want to risk a favourite, Superman Laundry in Taman Cheras (Cheras Yulek) cleans soft toys too. Wet clean is RM5 (XS), RM10 (S), RM15 (M) and RM20 (L), and dry clean is RM20 to RM120 depending on size; see the soft toy prices. Your items are never mixed with other customers’ laundry. You can drop it off at the shop, or use our pickup and delivery (minimum order RM80, with the delivery fee quoted by distance). We’re open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm, and most items are ready within 3 working days, with express available. WhatsApp 013-833 5526 if you have a question first.