If you have a favorite stuffed animal that got wet, you may be wondering if you can dry it in the dryer to restore its original fluffiness. While throwing your stuffed pal in the dryer seems easy, there are a few things you need to consider before doing so.
If you’re short on time, here is a quick answer to how to dry your stuffed animals in the dryer: Remove any plastic pieces or electronics from the stuffed animal, stuff it lightly with towels to retain shape, and either air dry on low heat or tumble dry on no heat with 3-4 clean tennis balls to fluff up the stuffing.
Check Material Composition First
When preparing to dry your cherished stuffed animals in the dryer, it’s crucial to first check what materials they are made of. Understanding fabric types and which ones can withstand heat is key for safe drying.
Identify Fabric Types
What is your stuffed friend made of? Common stuffed animal materials include:
- Polyester – A synthetic fabric that holds up well to heat. Dries quickly in the dryer.
- Cotton – A natural fiber fabric. Make sure cotton stuffing is fully dry to avoid mildew.
- Silk or rayon – Natural fabrics prone to heat damage. Best to air dry these delicate materials.
- Wool or felt – Natural fabrics that may shrink in high heat. Tumble dry gently on low.
Always check fabric care labels first for drying instructions if available. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and avoid machine drying altogether.
Avoid Heat for Delicate Materials
Stuffed animals containing delicate fabrics like silk, wool, felt, or rayon should not be machine dried on hot settings. The intense heat can cause:
- Shrinking or warping of fibers
- Fading or running of dyes
- General wear and tear damage
According to fabric care experts at The Laundress, silk and wool items should only be laid flat to dry. Felt and rayon stuffed animals may be able to withstand low heat tumble drying if done carefully and taken out promptly. But extended high heat drying can risk permanent damage.
| Material | Dryer Safe? |
|---|---|
| Polyester | Yes |
| Cotton | Yes |
| Wool | Low Heat Only |
| Silk | No – Air Dry |
So gather up those special stuffed pals, peek at their tags, feel their fabrics, and determine what drying method is best to safely restore their fluff without damage. Air drying may take longer, but it’s the gentlest way to get them dry and happy again!
Remove Plastic Pieces and Electronics
When drying stuffed animals, it’s crucial to remove any plastic pieces or electronic components first. Plastic accessories like eyes, noses, bows, and buttons may not withstand the heat of the dryer and could melt or warp.
Similarly, electronic components like voice boxes or battery packs could short circuit or cause a fire hazard if subjected to high temperatures.
Carefully inspect each stuffed animal and detach all plastic parts prior to drying. Bows can usually be gently pulled off, while plastic noses, eyes, and other accessories may be more securely attached with stitching.
Use a seam ripper or sharp scissors to neatly clip the threads and remove these pieces.
Why Remove Plastics and Electronics
There are a few key reasons it’s essential to take this precaution:
Removing all non-fabric components eliminates these risks and allows plush toys to be safely dried without worries.
Store Parts Properly
After detaching any plastic or electronic elements, be sure to store them properly so they don’t get lost. Some suggestions:
| Small plastic pieces | – Place in a labeled zip top bag or small container |
| Larger plastic parts | – Wrap in tissue or bubble wrap to prevent damage |
| Electronics | – Store together in a box or bag so all components stay together |
You’ll want to reattach all accessories, bows, and electronic components after the stuffed animal finishes drying and has fully cooled. Be careful not to lose any small pieces in the process!
By taking the time to carefully remove plastic embellishments and electronic mechanisms before drying, you can safely restore plush toys to fluffy softness without worries. Just don’t forget to reattach all the cute little extras once drying is done! Your furry friend will be good as new.
Stuff Loosely with Towels
Retain Shape While Drying
When drying stuffed animals in the dryer, it’s important to retain their original shape as much as possible. Stuffing them loosely with towels is a great way to provide a gentle cushion that allows air to circulate while preventing deformation from tossing and tumbling inside the drum.
Start by gathering a few lightweight cotton towels or small blankets. Choose fabrics that won’t catch or pull at a stuffed animal’s fur or features. Then, lay the stuffed animal on one open towel and loosely roll or loosely wrap the extra fabric around it, using a second towel on top if needed.
The goal is to cocoon the stuffed animal without compressing it too tightly.
As the dryer drum rotates, the towels will provide a soft barrier so plush toys maintain their form. According to laundry experts, loosely wrapped items have more space for warm, circulating air to evaporate moisture.
This is key for properly drying the inner filling and stuffing materials without damaging the outer covering.
Absorb Excess Moisture
Using towels when machine drying stuffed animals serves a second critical purpose – absorbing excess water. Most plush fabrics take longer than a standard cotton T-shirt to fully dry. Lingering dampness can encourage mold growth inside poorly ventilated stuffed animals. Yuck!
By wrapping each toy in dry towels pre-loaded into the dryer, the towels act like little moisture magnets. As wet spots emerge on the rolls during the cycle, the towels conveniently soak up that extra dampness. The stuffed friends remain lighter and fluffier instead of becoming waterlogged.
For severely soaked plush pals, the National Cleaners Association actually recommends replacing the towels mid-cycle for maximum drying power. Just pause the dryer about 20 minutes in, lightly reorder the stuffing wraps, and throw in fresh dry towels before restarting the timer.
With this handy towel technique, even gigantic life-size stuffed animals can dry fully in under an hour without owners worrying about lasting musty smells or shape issues. Who knew laundry day could be so fun?! 👏 Time to get snuggly with perfectly primped plushies once again! 😊💕🧸🎉
Tumble Dry with Tennis Balls (No Heat)
Fluff Up Stuffing
One of the best ways to dry stuffed animals is to tumble them in the dryer with tennis balls and no heat. The tennis balls will gently bounce around and help fluff up the stuffing inside the stuffed toys without damaging them.
This method allows air to circulate around and inside the toys so they can dry thoroughly.
Follow these easy steps for safe stuffed animal drying:
- Make sure to check the care label if your stuffed animal has one. Verify that it is safe to tumble dry, even with no heat.
- Gather 2-4 regular sized tennis balls and place them in the dryer drum with the stuffed toy. The balls should be loose enough to bounce around freely. Multiple balls prevent them from getting stuck in the same spot.
- Set the dryer to Air Fluff or No Heat/Air Only. Many dryers have this option specifically for delicate fabrics and stuffed items. If your dryer does not have this, turn the heat completely off.
- Run the dryer for 15-20 minutes before checking on the stuffed animals. Depending on size and materials, they may need another 10-15 minute cycle or two.
- When the stuffed toys feel completely dry and fully refluffed inside, they are ready! The tennis balls help break up any clumping stuffing material.
Important tips for this method:
- Check on the stuffed animals every 15 minutes or so to monitor progress and prevent overdrying.
- Larger stuffed animals may take longer – run an extra cycle if needed.
- Add 3-4 balls for extra large stuffed toys to distribute better.
- Foam or bean-filled stuffed animals should air dry instead of the dryer method.
Air Dry Alternative
If you prefer not to use a dryer or heat on your stuffed animals at all, air drying works too. It just takes much longer – possibly 12+ hours depending on climate conditions. For faster air drying, utilize some helpful tips:
- Gently squeeze and blot out excess water first with a towel.
- Stuff the animal lightly with extra towels or tissues to help absorb interior moisture overnight.
- Place in indirect sunlight rather than shade to speed up drying time.
- Position a small fan directed at the stuffed animal, not too close.
- Flip stuffed animals over halfway through to evenly dry both sides.
- Change out the internal towels/tissues as needed.
- When completely dry, use the tennis ball method above to fluff back up.
| Dryer Method | Air Dry Method |
| Much faster, usually under an hour | Can take over 12+ hours |
| Requires heat energy | Energy efficient |
| Needs dryer & tennis balls | Only basic household items |
Both machine drying and air drying are great options for restoring stuffed animals to fluffy perfection. Choose what works best for your situation and always check manufacturer instructions. With some tennis balls and TLC, you’ll have those special plush pals clean & cuddly again!https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals-2146120
Restore Texture with Brush
After drying your stuffed animals, their fur or fabric may end up a bit lackluster, flat, or matted. Not to worry! You can easily restore your stuffed friends to their former fluffy glory with a simple brushing. Choosing the right type of brush and using proper technique can work wonders.
Slicker Brush
For plush stuffed animals, a slicker brush (often used for pet fur) is ideal for reviving fabric texture. The thin, wire pins gently separate and lift the fibers of the fabric to restore loft and volume. Be sure to use a brush labeled as gentle or soft so as not to snag or pull the material.
Stiff Bristle Brush
If your stuffed animal is made from a smooth, synthetic fabric, a stiffer bristle brush may work best to bring the nap back up. Choose a brush with dense plastic bristles and use short, brisk strokes to fluff the fabric. This helps redistribute any matted spots and make the material feel soft again.
Fleece Brush
For super plush stuffed animals made with longer-pile fleece fabrics, a specialized fleece brush is the way to go. Often shaped like a pet grooming tool, the rows of fine, bent wires can comb through thick fleece to lift and separate the fibers back to their original state after drying.
Technique
When brushing your newly dried stuffed pal, go slowly and gently at first, then gradually increase pressure if needed. Work in small sections and brush with, against, and across the nap direction to ensure full coverage.
Pay special attention to areas that were compressed or are prone to matting, like the body, limbs, and anywhere fabrics rub together.
As you brush, use your free hand to massage and fluff the fibers, blending any transition lines between brushed and unbrushed areas. Your furry friend may end up with some serious bedhead, but a final once-over should leave their coat looking fabulously fluffy!
Maintenance
To keep stuffed animals feeling fresh, it’s a good idea to give them a periodic brushing—about once a month or whenever they start looking matted. This quick grooming regimen removes accumulated dust and restores texture to well-loved areas.
With the right brush and technique, you can have your treasured stuffed pals looking and feeling like new after even the most vigorous machine drying. So next time they take an unexpected spin, have no fear—just reach for that brush! Their fuzzy coats will thank you. 😊👍
Conclusion
Drying stuffed animals can be tricky but with some preparation like removing delicate pieces and loosely stuffing with towels, you can successfully fluff them up by either air drying or tumble drying on no heat with tennis balls.
Handle gently, brush when finished, and your stuffed pal will soon return to its original glory.
