washing cuddly toys

[discoball]

Hi, can anyone help, please? Lots of my DD's cuddly toys say "surface wash only" - the thing is, she has loads of them! Occasionally, I put them in the freezer (but not much room at moment), to kill off any nasties, but do you think it's risky to wash them in the washing machine? Thx

[bronze]

I just stick them in

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

Put them all in the bath and get your DD to help?

[discoball]

OK! Thanks, presumably they don't get all "lumpy"?

[discoball]

Good idea, fab!! Thanks - will probably be a bit "gentler" for them!

[Anifrangapani]

In the washer for a "spa day" for all of ours. The dryer is not a good idea though ( RIP Spotty )

[discoball]

Thanks, Anifrangapani - sorry about poor old Spotty!!!

[nancy75]

put them in the machine in a pillow case, it stops their noses banging against the window, it also stops your child from sitting in front of t he washing machine crying for the whole cycle because they think you are trying to drown their toys!

[mathanxiety]

LOL about the emotional wringer you're putting your DC through. How do you dry them if not in the dryer? The one I really want to wash thoroughly is DD's Most Loved Thing. It has some king of plastic pellets inside in the arms and legs, but polyester stuffing elsewhere. Someone told me I could tie a string tightly around each leg and arm to keep the pellets from migrating. But I fear air-drying would invite mould and mildew, and would also take quite a while; separation from this particular stuffed animal is a prospect too dreadful to contemplate. I wondered if I could put it in the dryer with a few tennis balls as I do with puffy winter jackets? Do the pellets melt? Does the filling get lumpy?

[zazen]

I washed all of my DCs lovies in the washing machine at 40 degrees, spin them at max, and then I dry them with a hairdryer at mid temperature, but max blow speed - this fluffs up the plush pile.

Then we leave them on the radiator to finish drying, and then have a big combing / grooming session.

DC chooses which ones go in first and the rota, and they all get washed about every two months.

All of DD's lovies are surface wash only, and have those pellets inside. They have seams to stop the pellets migrating to the other softer filling. Washing them does them no harm at all, and, I fancy, teaches DC personal care IYKWIM.

It sure beats a 'funky' lovey! Wiffy!