How to wash soft toys in a washing machine?

Soft toys are an indispensable accessory for every home with children. Sometimes the collection of such toys reaches up to fifty or even more pieces. Unfortunately, in addition to the joy they bring to children, there are certain troubles for parents. And now we are talking not only about the constant cleaning of things scattered throughout the apartment, but also about the fact that such items often collect dust and dirt, even when they are on the shelf. What can we say about the toys with which children spend all day.

First of all, it is necessary to divide all things for washing into several groups by size, type of filler or according to the following criteria:

• toys with an internal musical mechanism that is impossible to get;
• expensive fabrics that require delicate washing, such as: silk, suede, plush and brocade;
• toys with sewn on small details in the form of buttons, sequins, sequins and metal objects;
• trinkets made from materials with different properties: fur and silk, leather and lace.

Depending on belonging to a particular group, it will become clear: is it possible to send things to the washing machine or should you give preference to hand washing, dry cleaning. Careful care is a good way out, but it requires more time and effort than automatic processing.

It is very important not to rush to start washing, so as not to risk your baby's favorite pastime. Immediately before cleaning, if you are in doubt about the quality of the fabric and filler, you should do a color fastness test on a small area. For this action, you will need a bandage, alcohol and literally a couple of minutes of your time. Apply a little alcohol to a piece of bandage and wipe the material.

The above actions will help to avoid such consequences as fading, molting, oxidation of metal parts, loss of shape and damage to decorative patches. It is important to know exactly the material from which the toy is sewn, its filler, whether it can be machine washed at all. Most manufacturers indicate this information on the tags. You can get acquainted with it by looking under the tail of a bunny, dog or bear, and then proceed according to the instructions.

Babies often sleep with their soft friends, sniff them, apply them to their faces, and sometimes even take them in their mouths, which is why it is very important to choose the right cleanser.

In the case of hand washing, baby or laundry soap, baby shampoo or shower gel are suitable. But not all stains can be washed by hand, so a washing machine is often used for serious dirt. In this case, you need to use baby powders specially created for these purposes, rinses with gentle and hypoallergenic compounds. To minimize the loss of initial fluffiness, the use of a conditioner is recommended, since hard water can damage the artificial fur of animals.

Aggressive chemical components in ordinary powders can cause not only an allergic reaction, but also damage the material of the toy itself. For example, there is a high chance that the fabric will fade, the internal filler will fall off, and some plastic parts will lose bits of paint.

After you are convinced that a soft friend can be machine washed, you should carefully examine it. Remove all batteries, jukeboxes, and other hard electronic innards that can be damaged by contact with water. To do this, as a rule, all manufacturers of high-quality and expensive toys make special Velcro pockets that are easy to empty and then refill with a talking unit. If washing threatens to rip the toy, it is better to use dry or surface cleaning.

Before loading the animal into the drum of the machine, it is advisable to place it in a special mesh bag that will protect the soft fabric from metal parts and contact with other objects. The mode must necessarily be delicate, after all, there are children's things inside. The water temperature is not more than 30-40 degrees. Do not forget that machine spinning is strictly prohibited, otherwise your daughter's favorite heart or son's soft machine will inevitably change its original shape. You will have to squeeze soft toys manually.

To be sure that the toys are completely clean and that there are no residues of any chemicals in the fabric structure, it is recommended to additionally rinse them in a bowl of water, or simply increase the rinsing time in the washing machine.

Large soft molds that won't fit in the washing machine are best washed by hand or cleaned with baby shampoo or soap using a damp cloth.

After washing, extra rinsing and hand spinning, soft toys should be dried before returning them to the child. Proper drying is just as important as proper washing. So that in the end the baby gets his friend in excellent condition, you need to know some rules.

Many dry soft animals in limbo - a good option, but it is only suitable for small sizes and dense fabric that cannot be stretched.Knitted toys require a special approach, as they are most susceptible to deformation during drying. They cannot be hung, they can only be laid out on a horizontal surface. It is recommended to place the toy on a towel, straighten or shape, and then wait until it is completely dry.

Another good option is to place wet clothes near the radiator, the heat of which will dry it out much faster and without harming the appearance.

If your toy allows hanging drying, it is recommended to do it outdoors, in a well-ventilated place with access to the sun. This option will not only allow you to quickly dry, but also provide good ventilation to the product, save it from unwanted odors.

There is a certain type of soft animals that cannot be machine washed. Suitable for hand wash only or dry clean. There are several signs that will help you make a choice:

• they are sewn from several types of fabrics at once;
• there are small glued objects: eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, bows or other decorative details;
• the toy easily stretches and changes shape, made of very delicate and soft material;
• there are painted plastic parts that can be damaged by water or lose their color;
• the filler is made of different types of cereals, such as buckwheat or rice, as well as cotton wool or cotton;
• the material has a silk pile, which may lose its luster upon contact with water;
• The toy is equipped with an electronic non-removable mechanism.

Unfortunately, dust mites have become very common parasites in recent times and, first of all, they appear on children's toys. You can get rid of these unpleasant guests, the main thing is to know exactly how it should be done in the case of a particular toy.

For example, if your toys do not have contraindications for washing in an automatic machine, you can safely throw them inside and wash them at a temperature of 60 or 70 degrees. Do not forget to rinse it afterward and dry it properly.

If contact with water is contraindicated for your soft friends, they are calmly placed in the freezer, just put them in a plastic bag and send them to the cold for three days. In winter, you can use the balcony. Frost is the best method of dealing with dust mites. After the children's fun thaws, it will not only be clean, but also completely safe for the baby.

For more tips and tricks on how to properly wash soft toys, see the following video.