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- Newsgroups: misc.kids
- Path: sparky!uunet!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!stanzi
- From: stanzi@media.mit.edu (Constance "Stanzi" Royden)
- Subject: Washing stuffed animals--summary
- Message-ID: <1992Nov15.183255.22256@news.media.mit.edu>
- Sender: news@news.media.mit.edu (USENET News System)
- Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
- Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1992 18:32:55 GMT
- Lines: 49
-
- Here is a summary of advice I received about washing stuffed animals that
- are labeled "Surface Wash Only".
-
- The majority of people who replied washed stuffed animals or dolls in
- a pillow case in the washer, on gentle cycle, and had great results.
- Some also dried the animal in the dryer on low or medium heat also
- with great results. There were a few notable disasters, and generally
- people recommended not taking the chance with a child's "lovey" unless
- a replacement is easily obtainable.
-
- More details:
- Number of responses: 22
- Wrapped up in pillow case and washed in washing machine, gentle cycle,
- with great results: 14
- Also had great results with dryer (low or medium heat): 8
- Recommended against dryer: 2
- Animal or pillow ruined: 3
- My mother ruined my beloved animal by putting it through the washer
- and I will never forgive her for it: 1
-
- Possible consequences of washing in washing machine:
-
- Glued things (ears, eyes, noses) may come off (some can be sewn back on).
- Stuffing may expand causing seams to rip.
- Stuffing may come out.
- Toys with long hair--hair may get matted.
- Some stuffing can't tolerate being soaked.
- In one case, soft fir became short and bristly.
- Dryer might melt stuffing.
-
- Other helpful advice:
-
- If tag doesn't say what the stuffing is made out of, make a
- small hole and peak to try and judge if it can handle it.
-
- Toys R Us sells Teddy Bear Cleaner for surface washables (if don't
- want to risk machine washing).
-
- One person said surface washing left the animals sticky and machine
- washing worked much better.
-
- One person washed animal in minibasket of washer (instead of pillow
- case technique) and said it worked fine.
-
-
- Thanks for all the responses! I still haven't decided if I will take
- the risk with my daughter's doggie (it is a lovey), but this will
- certainly help with her other animals!
-
-