A happy teddy bear means happy time. Children do not sleep without their beloved teddy bear by their side as they get attached to it. Even adults have many childhood memories with their collection of teddy bears. To keep your teddy bear forever means you have to take good care of it. If your children have a habit of keeping them together with them all the time, you must care for it by ensuring that it’s cleaned dirt-free. You can do so many things at home to clean and properly store your stuffed toys. All can be washed at home, whether a small brown teddy bear or a 30 inch teddy bear.
Teddy bear cleaning is something that most people have not given much thought to before. But, if you want your bears to live a long life and remain in good condition, you need to take care and clean it properly.
Below are some different ways how to clean and care for your teddy bear
Do not hand wash
Stop washing your teddy bear with your hands; instead, use the washing machine. Get a fingernail brush and a soap bar, wet the brush, and soak it in cold water if you don’t have one. Now, wet your teddy bear in water and gather soap on the brush by scrubbing it. Clean the areas of stains and spots on the teddy bear, if any; after that, just rinse it properly, and it’s done.
Machine wash
For those confused about washing the teddy bear in the washing machine, mainly using the gentle care option, here’s the answer. Before machine washing, ensure that the seams are properly sealed and that no scratches and stuffing are coming out. After that, take out the remaining clothes from your washing machine and put your teddy bear inside. Wrap your teddy with a pillow cover before putting it inside, as the fur and fabric lining are delicate materials. Check the label attached to the back of the teddy; if it says ‘suitable for machine wash,’ then do it using a mild washing detergent; otherwise, skip this step. Lastly, avoid tumble-drying your teddy bear. You can wash multiple teddy bears simultaneously by wrapping them together in a laundry bag.
Washing with baking soda and vinegar
You may go for vinegar and baking soda if you don’t have a washing detergent. In a bucket filled with water, soak your teddy bear; add vinegar and baking soda wash with your hands. If you are using a washing machine, use two-three cups of vinegar and add a sprinkle of baking soda. Please put it on the rinse cycle to finish the process.
Removing odour
If you do not wash the teddy bear properly and remove the smell, it may stink forever. Get a large plastic bag and put some baking powder, baking soda, or cornstarch powder to remove foul odour. Wrap your teddy and shake it properly. After some time, when the powder gets absorbed, unwrap the plastic bag and remove the teddy. Keep it untouched from your kids for the next few hours. Later, get a soft brush and dust off the particles. Remember to do this process only after washing your teddy bear.
Drying your teddy bear
Drying a teddy bear won’t take much of your time, but things may go wrong if you don’t do it properly. Squeeze excess water from the limbs and head of your teddy but do not twist as you do with your towel. Pat-dry the teddy and use a variable-speed hair dryer to dry the fur. Please do not set it on too-hot; once it’s done, use a soft brush to comb the fur, and you’re done.
Conclusion
It does not take a lot of effort to clean and care for your teddy bear, and it would be best to read the label before washing it and putting it for a spin. Teddy bears are kids’ favourite playing buddies, whether a small brown teddy bear or a giant 30 inch teddy bear. The best is your child’s smile when they see their favourite toy coming out clean and even softer. You can keep your teddy bear forever with you by taking care of little things.
