Washing stuffed animals can be tricky, especially when they contain delicate decorations like beads. If not cleaned properly, the beads could fall off or get damaged. However, with some care and the right techniques, you can safely clean your beaded stuffed friend.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key things to know about washing a stuffed animal with beads: Use a gentle wash cycle in cold water, put it inside a laundry bag for extra protection, and air dry only instead of machine drying to prevent heat damage to the beads.
Assess the Stuffed Animal and Type of Beads
Check manufacturer washing recommendations
When cleaning a stuffed animal with beads, it’s crucial first to check any care instructions from the manufacturer. Many modern plush toys have tags that indicate washing methods or whether the item is machine washable.
Review warnings about loose beads as well since removals may cause choking hazards for kids. If no tag exists, search online for the brand name and model to find recommendations. Getting guidance upfront prevents damage and maintains safety.
Identify bead material
Next, inspect beads closely to determine material types. Common options include plastic, wood, glass, stone, or mirrors. Plastic beads like polypropylene can withstand hot water but may degrade over time. Wood or stone beads require gentle cold washing to avoid cracks or chipping.
Glass beads shatter if dropped yet generally tolerate low heat. Mirror acrylic charms endure moderate temperatures and agitation. Knowing the composition allows matching appropriate washing techniques.
Inspect bead application method
Finally, check how beads attach to the stuffed animal before cleaning. Glued-on charms likely fall off in water. Stitched beads may loosen threads with excess moisture. If decorations seem loose already, consider reinforcing attachments with fabric glue beforehand.
Removable decor allows washing the toy alone then reapplying later. Beads tightly incorporated into the design endure washing better. Evaluating construction quality determines what processing works best.
By reviewing care instructions, assessing bead types, and inspecting application methods first, you choose suitable stuffed animal washing methods for the materials involved. This prevents damage, maintains safety for kids, and retains beloved toys’ special details!
Wash Separately in a Laundry Bag
Use a zippered laundry bag
Washing your beaded stuffed animal in a zippered laundry bag is crucial to keeping the beads intact during the washing process. The small holes in a typical laundry bag will allow beads to escape into your washing machine, potentially causing damage or needing repairs.
Instead, invest in a specially designed zippered laundry bag to contain those easily lost pieces.
Look for laundry bags made of mesh or permeable fabrics that allow water and detergents to flow through while containing the stuffed animal and beads. This ensures your plushie gets fully cleaned. Mesh bags with smooth zippers work great and come in small to extra large sizes to fit any stuffed friend!
Wash alone or with other gentle items
It’s best to wash your beaded stuffed pal alone in the zippered bag. This prevents the beads or threads from getting caught on other items in the wash, eliminating extra risks. But if you need to maximize your load, washing with other delicate items can work.
Safe items to wash include blankets, pillowcases, towels, and clothing without buttons, zippers or embellishments. Avoid washing your plushie with rougher fabrics like jeans or lace, which could snag the beads.
Check your animal after washing — a stray thread or two is normal, but excess caught strands signal it needs solo cleansing next time.
Washing gentle items together also lets you customize wash settings. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle, cold water, and minimal agitation for safe stuffed animal laundering. And skip the dryer after — air dry only to prevent bead damage from excess heat!
| Safe to Wash With | Avoid Washing With |
| Blankets | Jeans |
| Pillowcases | Lace fabrics |
| Towels | Zippers and buttons |
| Soft clothing | Rough fabrics |
Follow these handy tips for washing your beloved beaded stuffed critter without risking losing its unique character. With some gentle care and the right accessories, your cuddly friend will come out good as new!
Select the Right Washing Machine Settings
Choose cold water
According to the official guidelines by Consumer Product Safety Commission stuffed animals should always be washed using cold water. Hot water can cause color fading and loosen the stuffing and joints 😬.
The cold water setting is also gentle enough for delicate beads on stuffed toys and will prevent them from cracking or deteriorating. By using cold water (temperature between 60-80 °F) to wash your stuffed friends, you can minimize any potential damage like broken seams, bleeding fabric colors, or damaging embellishments like beads.
Use the gentle or delicate cycle
To wash stuffed animals with beads, select the gentle or delicate cycle for machine washing 👍. This shortest wash cycle only gently agitates the items with a slower spin so materials stay intact. The more intense motions of a regular or heavy cycle can cause beads to loosen or break.
The delicate cycle is designed to protect delicate materials and loose beads by only lightly rinsing and spinning. Follow care label recommendations on each stuffed animal for optimal settings. In general, sticking with a delicate cycle ensures the stuffing, seams, and beads remain secure and undamaged ☺️.
Skip the spin cycle if possible
| With Spin Cycle | Without Spin Cycle |
|---|---|
|
|
|
If you want to further protect your delicate stuffed animals, you can skip over the high-speed spin cycle. According to a recent laundry care survey, over 85% of people said skipping the spin cycle reduced wear-and-tear on fragile items. The centrifugal force can pull on seams and stress materials, possibly loosening the beads or other accents.
Simply taking the stuffed animal out after the wash and air drying is much gentler to prevent breakage or shifting😊. Just make sure to avoid putting wet stuffed toys into the dryer as the heat and tumbling motions can still damage them.
Air Dry Thoroughly
After washing your stuffed animal, it is crucial to let it air dry completely before using or storing it. Any moisture left inside could allow mold or bacteria to grow, damaging your beloved toy. Follow these tips for properly air drying stuffed animals with beads:
Squeeze Out Excess Water
After removing your stuffed animal from the wash, gently squeeze it with a clean towel to soak up as much moisture as possible. Avoid twisting or wringing, which can damage the toy. Pay special attention to the bead-filled areas, pressing the towel against them to draw water out from inside.
Stuff With Paper Towels
Next, use clean paper towels or tissues to stuff inside your plush toy. This will help absorb leftover water from hard-to-reach areas. Make sure no towels are visible on the outside, as they could discolor the fabric over time.
Air Dry in an Open Area
Find an indoor spot away from direct sunlight where air can freely circulate around the toy. Set your stuffed friend on a drying rack, clean towel, or window screen propped up off any surfaces. This allows airflow all around to prevent mildew growth.
Avoid placing wet stuffed animals directly on furniture, carpet, concrete, or wood floors. The moisture could damage those surfaces or be reabsorbed into the toy.
Refresh Paper Towels
Every few hours, remove the internal paper towels and replace them with fresh dry ones. This draws out newly released moisture for faster overall drying. Repeat until no visible dampness remains inside the toy. Expect the process to take 24 hours or longer in humid climates.
Check for Lingering Moisture
Before using or storing your plush animal, confirm it is 100% dry inside and out. Feel bead-filled sections for anyhint of moisture. Give thicker areas like the head, limbs, and trunk an extra day if needed. Any wet spots could still promote mold growth out of sight.
If your stuffed friend retains a musty odor despite no visible dampness, try placing it outside in direct sunshine for a few hours. The UV rays have natural disinfecting abilities.
With some time and patience for proper drying, you can safely revive cherished plush pals even with bead stuffing inside. Just be sure to completely air dry your stuffed animal after washing, fluffing bead sections to allow internal airflow.
Then you both can enjoy worry-free cuddles for years to come! 🧸
Inspect and Re-Attach Any Loose Beads
One of the risks when washing a stuffed animal with beads is that some of those decorative beads may come loose or fall off completely in the cleaning process. Before washing, carefully inspect all the beaded areas and ensure everything feels securely fastened.
Pay special attention to the eyes, nose, mouth or any hand-stitched areas where weakness could occur.
If you do discover any loose beads, don’t panic! We have some simple DIY reattachment tips to stabilize things before bath time.
Glue for Secure Reattachment
One great all-purpose option to re-adhere loose beads or sequins is to use a dot of strong multi-purpose craft glue (like Aleene’s Tacky Glue) on the underside of the decoration. Then simply press the beading back into place on the fabric and hold steady for 30-60 seconds as the glue sets.
This glue dries clear and flexible, creates a super strong bond, but still allows removed later if needed. Just take care not to get glue in noticeable areas or where beads could accidentally stick together.
Extra Stitching for Added Security
You can also reinforce loose beading areas by adding a few extra tight hand stitches around existing decorations with matching sewing thread. This helps encapsulate any marginally attached beads. 👍
An easy technique here is to knot the thread on the inside of the fabric, then make small stitches on the right side catching just the edge of some beads or sequins. Finish it off with another knot to secure everything in place nicely.
Doing some preventative stitch work ahead of washing gives vulnerable decorated spots the extra stability they need come bath time!
Conclusion
Washing stuffed animals with beads may seem daunting, but taking the proper precautions makes it very doable. By using a laundry bag, gentle cycle, and air drying instead of high heat, you can safely clean your beloved beaded friend while preserving its special decorations.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions first, and inspect beads afterward to re-attach any that came loose. With some extra care and attention, your stuffed pal will come out good as new!
