The cold water will help preserve your bear’s color. You can also use warm, but never hot, water. Do not use any harsh detergents, as they can damage the bear’s fur. Baby detergents work well.
Hand-washing is the gentlest method for cleaning the bear. Washing too roughly may cause the stuffing to come out of the stitching.
Brushing the bear’s fur right after washing will help prevent any clumping or matting.
It is usually best to let a stuffed animal dry on its own outside, as long as it’s a warm and sunny day. [1] X Research source Not allowing your bear to dry properly can result in mold or rotting. Make sure the bear is completely dry before boxing it up or letting a child play with it.
Make sure that the case is tied securely so the bear doesn’t fall out in the wash cycle.
Treat the bear carefully, as using a rough cycle can cause damages. Fur quality and stitching may be compromised if hot water or harsh detergents are used. Add distilled white vinegar for the rinse cycle to deodorize and remove any detergent residue. Wash on gentle, delicate, or hand-wash setting. Anything else might be too hard on the bear. [2] X Research source
You may also use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. It is not advisable to dry your bear in the dryer.
This method is best used on bears with a voice box. The oxygen stain remover will help get rid of any difficult spots, but a mild detergent will also work.
Use small, circular motions to rub the mixture into the spot.
You can also use a paper towel for blotting. Depending on the nature of each spot and how much the stain has soaked in, you may need to repeat the process.
You may blot the bear until it is dry, or you can leave it to air dry.
