When a favourite teddy is taken everywhere, it tends to pick up lots of dirt and bacteria. — Photos: dpa
A TEDDY is an important figure in the life of many small children, with an importance that may be hard to imagine for grown ups.
Teddies are busy beings, taken everywhere, plus being snuggled in bed, which makes it hard to find a good day to wash them. But they need it, otherwise stuffed toys can get pretty matted.
Some toys may not be suitable for a brief spell in the washing machine.
The easiest way to wash plushies and all the other special toys lying around at home without damaging them all depends on the material they are made from.
Teddies should only be washing in the washing machine if the manufacturer recommends this.
Building blocks made of plastic or wood
The good news is that you can easily clean many plastic building blocks like in the washing machine. Bernd Glassl, a cleaning specialist from Germany’s Industrial Association for Body Care and Detergents (IKW), advises using a programme with a maximum of 30 degrees and a high water level, such as a delicates, silk or wool cycle, for example. Use liquid detergent rather than powder.
“To prevent small items from slipping between the washing drum and the washing machine housing, place the building blocks in a pillowcase or duvet cover that has a zip on it, so it can act as a large laundry net,” says Glassl.
However, his advice does not apply to all products. Toy maker Lego advises parents against using washing machines or dishwashers. They should also refrain from using ovens, microwaves and hair dryers when cleaning Lego – and even drying them in warm sunlight can change the shape of the bricks, the company says.
Instead, you are advised to clean Lego parts by hand using water and a soft cloth or sponge. Make sure the water is not warmer than 40 degrees Celsius. It is best to add a mild detergent to the water and then rinse the bricks using clear water, Lego says.
Also avoid machine washing if you are cleaning wooden blocks. “The varnish can flake off and unpainted wood can become rough,” says Glassl. He says use a slightly damp cloth instead, or a dry one if that turns out to be enough.
Toy maker Sindibaba recommends using clear vinegar or apple cider diluted with water for disinfecting painted and unpainted wooden toys, especially for smaller ones. However, avoid using disinfectant wipes and cleaning agents for wood as they may contain toxic substances.
Some building blocks and other small plastic toys can be washed in the washing machine in a pillowcase with a zip, which basically acts as a large laundry bag.
Toy cars, trucks and similar items
The trouble with these kinds of toys is that they have lots of little grooves and niches which can soon fill up with dirt, whether from the floor or children’s fingers and mouths.
Some parents are tempted to clean out the toys using cloths and ear buds – others mull popping the little cars and plastic toys in the washing machine or dishwasher.
Don’t use the dishwasher, says Glassl, as they usually only let you select the water temperature for the actual cleaning, but not for the rinsing cycles with clear water.
“In contrast to washing machines, where all the rinse cycles use cold water, the last rinse cycle in dishwashers is done with hot or very warm water so crockery dries faster,” Glassl says. The trouble is that this high temperature can lead to plastic parts losing their shape.
To be on the safe side, it’s best to hand wash, which you can also make easier on yourself. “Soak the pieces in a large bucket of cold water with a little hand dishwashing liquid added and leave it for at least two hours,” says Glassl. “Then rinse off the toys using water.”
Incidentally, this is also works for plastic blocks.
Avoid cleaning toy cars and trucks with some appliance or soaking them in a bucket as even plastic models often have built-in metal parts, for example for the wheel axles which can get rusty if you wash them.Teddy, toy rabbits and other cuddly items
According to Glassl, cuddly toys can be washed in the washing machine on a programme for delicates, silk or wool if the manufacturer says this is possible. These settings use a particularly large amount of water. The water temperature should be a maximum of 30 degrees, and he suggests you add a mild or wool detergent.
German teddy maker Steiff also advises washing machine-washable items at 30 degrees, and make sure you pop the toy bear in a laundry net first.
Toymaker Sindibaba advises parents against adding fabric softener to polyester fibrefill, saying the material may clump together or disintegrate.
If your cuddly toy contains wooden parts, rattle boxes or squeakers, do check the manufacturer’s instructions very carefully and if in doubt, avoid using the washing machine.
“If the manufacturer states that machine washing is not possible but hand washing is allowed, then use lukewarm water at around 30 degrees and a mild or wool detergent,” says Glassl.
“Fill the sink with cold water then thoroughly rinse out your cuddly toy.” He advises rinsing your stuffed animal three times with cold water.
Products made from mohair and alpaca should not be machine washed, Steiff says. Just rub the toy using the foam of a mild detergent, then rinse it off with clear water. Shake off and comb the cuddly toys several times after drying, the company advises. – dpa
