Anyone got any suggestions of the best way to clean this fella? (pic)

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

DH has had this much loved toy returned to him after 30 years.

Problem is we don't know what to do with him. DH would like to give him to our DS 9mo to play with but I feel he may be a bit too well loved grubby with 30 years worth of grime! for him.

Anyone got any suggestions on the best way to clean him? I thought maybe a bath full of warmish water and non bio powder? But he is very dense of stuffing so worried it will ruin him or he will take too long to dry and will get a bit stinky? Then also thought about steam cleaning just his surface? But also worried this will damage him.

Any suggestions from you housekeeping gurus would be much appreciated as DH would really like to see his favourite childhood toy enjoyed by his son!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd sponge & hang him on the line to dry.

That is one scary toy.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Wow what a character. Well after checking to see if anything detaches - like the eyes, teeth, horns so that your little boy doesn't hurt himself I guess putting this in the freezer overnight would kill any dust mites, and then after taking it out in the morning you could give it a wash in the bath or shower?

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Is it a troll?

[QforCucumber]

Shower with some baby shampoo? That way the stuffing doesn't absorb too much and if the colour runs you're not ruing anything else.
Nice day (if we get another) so he can line dry and should be fine

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

Thanks Fluffy. I know, I had forgotten he had been returned to us and got the fright of my life when I came downstairs this morning! Needless to say DS is dying to get his hands on it!

[JenLindleyShitMom]

I'd stick him in the machine on 60 and highest spin a couple of times then hang outside to dry and finish in hot press. Or tumble drier if you have one.

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

Thanks very much everyone. He is apparently called My Pet Monster and is from 1984.

Donkey good point about the eyes, thanks I will check. He is massive and won't fit in the freezer sadly.

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

Thanks very much everyone. He is apparently called My Pet Monster and is from 1984.

Donkey good point about the eyes, thanks I will check. He is massive and won't fit in the freezer sadly.

[Packergator]

Oh my God, I remember these! Ha ha, awesome! No helpful suggestions re: cleaning though, sorry...it's not exactly my 'forte'...

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

It's nice to hand on old favourites. I have never had a chest freezer so admit I wouldn't be able to fit this toy in my freezer either. I thought after posting, not implying your PILs' house is mucky or anything!

[Eminybob]

I had the same one! My pet monster and he had handcuffs that would break apart in the middle. I named him Romeo

Sorry no idea how to clean him op.

[OlennasWimple]

Wow - a blast from the past! My brother desperately wanted one of those, but my mum wouldn't let him!

Assuming there's nothing obvious that wouldn't survive it, I'd wrap him in towel and wash in a full load at 40 degrees with non-bio but a slosh of bleach or similar. Then tumble dry him gently (still wrapped in a towel) to fluff him up

[P1nkP0ppy]

OMG, it's frightful interesting!
I'm think JenLindleyShitMum has the best suggestion 😀
very glad DH never had one 😳

[steppemum]

I would stick him in the washing machine.
I have never yet found a cuddly toy that didn't survive, they are tougher than you think.
I would use bio powder, the bio/non bio won't make any difference to him, butmay get him cleaner.
The spin will get the water out.

I wouldn't put him anywhere near the tumble dryer though, unless you have a very cool setting. If the heating was on I would sit him with his bum on a radiator.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I doubt that a toy that's not been played with for decades is going to harbour anything virulent tbh. Probably jolly good for your DSs immune system as he is.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Gentle machine wash, hang on the line afterwards.

[ColintheCrow]

Oooh memories!! Whack him in a pillow case to protect the plastic and put on 60. Then airing cupboard.

[Solasum]

Does it smell? Coat with bicarb over night then Hoover on the curtains attachment. Sponge off local soiling. Really wouldn't washing machine it, it looks like explosion in dye factory territory!

[WhatLizzyDid]

I would pop him in a pillow case and was him in the machine on a normal 40 degree wash. Let him dry and repeat if needed. HTH x

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

It doesn't really smell that bad, just a bit foisty.

JenLindley I'm not sure if DH would ever forgive me!

Errol no doubt that is true but I think his immune system does well enough from the shoes/mud/cat toys he already puts in his mouth

Eminy I'm not sure what became of this guy's handcuffs sadly.