If you’re wondering whether COVID can survive on your child’s favorite stuffed animal, you’re not alone. Many parents have concerns about keeping their children’s toys hygienic, especially during a global pandemic.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Research shows that COVID-19 can likely survive on porous surfaces like fabric for up to 1-2 days. However, the exact duration depends on factors like material, humidity, and temperature.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the details around COVID survival times, best practices for cleaning stuffed animals, and tips to keep your kids’ plush toys safe during the pandemic.
How Long Can Coronavirus Survive on Stuffed Animals?
Porosity and permeability impact viral persistence
The composition of stuffed animals is an important determinant of how long coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 can survive on them. Materials like fabric, fur, or stuffing are porous and permeable, allowing moisture, respiratory droplets, and the virus to seep further into folds and crevices.
According to a study, this can extend the typical survival time of coronaviruses on surfaces.
COVID can survive 1-2 days on fabric surfaces
Research has shown that SARS-CoV-2 typically persists for up to 1-2 days on porous surfaces like clothing, though this can vary based on environmental factors. For example, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that under experimental conditions, the virus had the following survival times:
- Up to 24 hours on cardboard
- Up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel
- Up to 1 day on copper
The CDC states that SARS-CoV-2 can survive for up to a day or more on fabric, depending on factors like surface type, temperature, and humidity. Because most stuffed animals have fabric coverings, this timeframe likely applies.
Factors impacting COVID survival times
| Factor | Effect on Survival Time |
| Material porosity | More porous = longer survival |
| Temperature | Higher = shorter survival |
| Humidity | Higher = longer survival (for some viruses) |
| Sunlight | Direct UV exposure reduces survival |
As seen, environmental conditions can impact how long coronaviruses survive. Maintaining cleanliness and washing stuffed animals after potential contamination is important.
Best Practices For Cleaning Stuffed Toys
Prioritize high-touch stuffed animals
It’s important to regularly clean stuffed animals that get handled a lot or mouthed by young children. High-touch stuffed toys have more opportunities to collect germs that could cause illness. Make note of your child’s favorite stuffed pals that go everywhere with them.
These special stuffed animals that are frequently touched or drooled on should be a priority for frequent cleaning.
Handwash with soap and hot water
For most stuffed animals, the CDC recommends handwashing with soap and water to clean. Add a small amount of laundry detergent or dish soap to a bowl filled with hot water. Submerge the stuffed toy and gently scrub to remove dirt and germs lodged in the material. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
HealthyChildren.org notes that hot water washing is just as effective as machine washing for cleaning and sanitizing stuffed animals.
Use the washing machine for machine-washable toys
Check manufacturer instructions first, but many stuffed toys are washing machine safe if washed on a gentle cycle. Washing them in the machine helps thoroughly clean all surfaces of the stuffed animal with agitation from the machine.
Just be sure to air dry any machine washed stuffed animals rather than putting them in the drying machine, which could cause harm.
Disinfect with an EPA-approved spray
For extra protection against germs such as the COVID virus, disinfect stuffed animals after washing with an EPA-approved disinfectant. Make sure the product is suitable for soft surfaces. Spray the stuffed toy all over until damp, then let it sit for the recommended contact time listed on the product label to neutralize any remaining germs.
Let stuffed animals air dry fully
It’s important not to put stuffed animals into the dryer after washing. The intense heat can damage these delicate items. Instead, squeeze out excess water if needed then allow stuffed toys to completely air dry before giving them back to your child. Drying fully helps prevent mold growth.
Place washed stuffed animals in a sunny spot or use a fan to speed drying if needed.
Tips For Keeping Stuffed Toys Safe During COVID
Avoid sharing stuffed animals with friends
It’s best not to let your child share their beloved stuffed animals with friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stuffed toys have lots of fabric surfaces where respiratory droplets containing the virus can land.
If an infected person plays with a stuffed toy, they may transfer contagious droplets onto the toy’s surface. It’s better to avoid exposure from shared toys when possible.
If your child has a playdate, give them a designated toy to play with that stays at your house. Gently encourage them not to hug their special stuffed friends. With some creativity, you can set up fun activities and games that don’t require contacting shared surfaces.
Focus playtime on things like backyard adventures, sidewalk chalk drawings or independent crafts at separate tables.
Store away toys when not in use
When your child isn’t actively playing with their stuffed pals, put the toys away on shelves or in bins. This helps prevent indirect exposure if you or another family member coughs or sneezes nearby. Store plush toys in your child’s room or in fabric bins and rotate them out occasionally so they all get playtime.
| Surface | How long SARS-CoV-2 remains viable1 |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 1 day |
Research shows fabrics can harbor contagious droplets for almost 24 hours. Storing stuffed animals away when not in activesupervised play reduces ongoing contact time and infection risk. Having designated storage bins or cubbies for plush toys allows you to rotate them out day-by-day.
Wash hands before and after playtime
Make good hand hygiene an essential part of playtime routines. Have your child wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before playing with stuffed toys. This reduces the chance they’ll transfer contagious germs onto toy surfaces.
After they finish enjoying special snuggle time, have them wash hands again to prevent spreading virus particles from toys to their eyes, nose or mouth.
Washing hands properly is one of the most effective ways to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Practice rubbing soapy hands together using CDC guidance and singing a 20-second song. Making handwashing a consistent habit around playtime is crucial.
With some giggles and games, kids can learn proper technique and help stop infection spread.
The Bottom Line
Based on available research, experts advise taking precautions with your stuffed animals if someone in your household has COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, can potentially survive on soft, porous surfaces like fabric and fur for up to a day or longer.
However, the actual risks seem low, especially if simple cleaning procedures are followed.
To keep your stuffed animals virus-free, the CDC recommends periodically machine washing them if possible or cleaning them with soap and water. Letting them sit untouched for 24-48 hours may also allow time for viruses to naturally die off.
Stuffed animals could also be sprayed with disinfectants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but this should be done carefully to avoid damage.
Taking these precautions can provide peace of mind, but experts stress that most virus transmission seems to occur through respiratory droplets rather than from porous surfaces. So while cleaning your stuffed animals makes sense, don’t neglect more important measures like masking, improving ventilation, and testing when appropriate.
The bottom line is that avoiding prolonged close contact with an infected person remains the best way to prevent COVID-19 transmission. But keeping your stuffed animal friends clean and showing them some extra love during difficult times certainly can’t hurt!
Conclusion
While the virus likely only persists a day or two on stuffed animal surfaces, proper toy hygiene is still key during cold and flu season. By regularly washing and disinfecting your kids’ plush toys, letting them air dry, and practicing hand hygiene, you can help minimize viral transmission risk.
Keeping your children’s cherished companions clean doesn’t have to be a chore with some simple safety precautions. As the pandemic continues, be sure to keep up with the latest public health guidance on sanitization to keep your family safe and healthy.
