Prep first
Before you start
- Read the tag first. If it says surface clean only, plan on spot cleaning and skip the full wash.
- Check for loose parts, such as bows or a sewn-on eye, and repair any loose seams before wetting the toy.
- Test a damp cloth on a hidden spot; if dye transfers to the cloth, stick to spot cleaning.
- Set up a basin, clean cloths and a towel before you start, so the toy does not sit wet while you hunt for supplies.
A stuffed animal looks simple, but it hides plenty of trouble: stuffing that holds water, fur that tangles, seams that can split, and dyes that can run when damp. The tag matters more than anything else here, so read it before any water touches the toy.
Washing a stuffed animal by hand in cool water is the safest deep clean for most plush. Check the tag before you think about the washing machine, since many plush are not made for one. Spot clean small marks first so the rest of the toy stays undisturbed.
Before you start
What stuffed animals can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid3
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
8 items
What you'll need
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- Vacuum with a brush attachment or a lint rollerRemoves dust before any water touches the toy. (opens Amazon)
- Soft-bristled brushBrushes the fur in the direction it grows without tangling it. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaAbsorbs grease from a spot so it lifts more easily. (opens Amazon)
- Mild liquid dish soapA little is enough for spot cleaning and hand washing. (opens Amazon)
- Clean white cloths or washclothsBlot and rinse without leaving color behind. (opens Amazon)
- TowelsPress out excess water before the toy air dries.
- Mesh laundry bag or pillowcaseOnly needed for a machine wash, and only if the tag allows it. (opens Amazon)
- Basin or sinkHolds cool water for hand washing the whole toy. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Check the tag and test a hidden spot
Read the care label or heart-shaped tag first, and follow it over any general advice. Dampen a white cloth and dab a hidden spot; if dye comes off on the cloth, keep to spot cleaning only.
Step 2 of 7
Vacuum off the loose dirt
Run a vacuum with a brush attachment over the whole toy, or use a lint roller on the fur. Loose dirt turns to mud once it gets wet, so get it out before any water touches the toy.
Step 3 of 7
Spot treat the stains
For a greasy spot, sprinkle on a small amount of baking soda, let it take up the oil, and brush it off before you wet the area. Dampen a washcloth in cool water with a little mild liquid dish soap, wring it out well, and blot the stain instead of rubbing.
Tip. Work from the edge of the stain toward the center so it does not spread.
Careful. Keep cleaning wipes made for hard surfaces off the plush; they contain abrasive chemicals that can discolor the spot.
Step 4 of 7
Hand wash the whole toy
Fill a basin with cool water and a little mild liquid dish soap. Lower the toy in and work the soap through the fur with your hands, squeezing gently rather than twisting.
Tip. Only hand wash the whole toy when the dirt is spread out; a single stain is better handled with spot cleaning.
Careful. Keep the water cool, because hot water is not safe for plush.
Step 5 of 7
Rinse out all the soap
Rinse the toy under cool running water, or press it between clean damp cloths, until no suds remain. Pat the surface again with a fresh damp cloth to lift away any soap left in the fur.
Step 6 of 7
Blot out the water
Press the toy in a towel to take up as much water as you can. Do not wring it out, because twisting can misshape the stuffing.
Careful. Keep it away from the dryer and hair dryers, since heat can misshape the toy.
Step 7 of 7
Air dry, then brush and fluff
Lay the toy flat or hang it somewhere airy until it is completely dry. Once dry, brush the fur in the direction it grows with a soft-bristled brush, and fluff it with a gentle shake.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning stuffed animals
Choose a mild liquid dish soap for spot cleaning and hand washing, and keep a soft-bristled brush for the fur. Skip any product that contains bleach, since bleach is off the list for plush.
ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda 8 oz
Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Refill Jug
These are the everyday supplies the steps above use, in the versions most people buy on Amazon.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
A clean stuffed animal has no visible stains, no soapy film and no damp patches, and the fur feels even all over. It is fully dry when the stuffing feels dry through the middle, not just on the outside. If it is still damp, keep air drying it in an open space until it is.
Treat stains with their own method
Got a stain on it?
A deep clean lifts everyday dirt, but most stains need their own method. Pick yours:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your toy
Machine-washable plush
If the tag says machine washable, you can wash the toy alone in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. Knot a pillowcase closed, then run it on the gentle cycle in cold water with a mild detergent.
Let it air dry completely afterward, and check that the stuffing is dry through the middle before you brush the fur.
Plush with a surface clean tag
If the tag says surface clean only, skip the bath and work with a damp cloth. Pat the soiled area with cool water and a little mild dish soap, then go back over it with a fresh damp cloth to lift the soap away.
For light marks, gently wipe the area with a baby wipe. Let the spot air dry fully before you brush it.
Baby and mouthed toys
Toys a baby has mouthed need a proper clean, not a quick wipe. Wash them by hand with water and a little mild soap, rinse, then sanitize with a disinfectant approved for toys, rinse again, and air dry.
Use child-safe products only, and set aside any toy that needs cleaning until a person wearing gloves can clean it by hand. Toys that cannot be cleaned and sanitized should not be used.
Plush with a squeaker or sound box
Plush with a sound box or battery should never be submerged or put in a washing machine. Have the sound removed before any wash, or spot clean around it with a damp cloth.
Chewed plush dog toys are worth checking for loose seams first, since repairing them prevents more damage. Then dry them with the same air dry method as any other plush.
Vintage or antique plush
Old plush often has fragile seams, thin fabric and dyes that have never been tested for wetting. Start with the gentlest method: check the tag, test a hidden spot, and spot clean instead of soaking the whole toy.
Repair loose seams and stuffing first so the toy does not lose more stuffing. If a tough stain will not come out, the toy may need replacing rather than a harsher cleaner.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
Deep clean a stuffed animal only when it is visibly dirty, because over-washing wears down the fabric and colors. Between cleans, run a lint roller or soft brush over the fur whenever dust builds up, and fluff it with a gentle shake to keep its shape.
Repair loose seams and stuffing as soon as you spot them, before more damage occurs. Keep the toy away from the dryer and heat sources, and store it somewhere dry so it does not pick up damp smells.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning stuffed animals?
Most household cleaners are a poor fit for plush, so the steps lean on gentle options. Baking soda and a little mild dish soap are the only remedies that suit this toy, and the rest can harm it or its dyes.
Works2Skip1Avoid5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't wash plush with your regular laundry
Spin cycles, dryer heat and harsh detergents are hard on delicate plush. A toy tossed in with other clothes is far more likely to be damaged.
Don't put it in the dishwasher
Submerging a plush in a dishwasher will likely damage its textures. Clean it by hand or spot clean it instead.
Don't scrub the fur hard
Hard scrubbing can flatten the fur and stress loose seams, so pat and blot instead. Gentle, repeated passes lift stains with less risk.
Don't keep scrubbing a stubborn stain
Repeated rubbing can wear down the fabric and spread the mark. Let the spot dry fully and judge it again before trying another round.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
The fur is matted or tangled after drying
Brush the fur with a soft brush, following the direction of the fur, and work patiently through any knots. Fluff it with a gentle shake to bring back its shape.
The toy feels misshapen or stiff
Gently reshape it by hand and fluff it with a gentle shake once it is dry. Heat is not the fix, since it can misshape the toy further.
A stain is still visible after cleaning
Repeat the spot clean with cool water and a little mild dish soap, then let it dry fully before you judge the result. Blot rather than rub each time.
When to call a professional
Sending a stuffed animal out to be cleaned is not recommended. If a tough stain will not come out, the toy may need replacing.
Questions
Can you dry clean a stuffed animal?
Not at a regular dry cleaner. Those shops may use a washing machine and dryer with harsher detergents, which is hard on plush, so cleaning it yourself is the safer route.
Can I clean a stuffed bath toy?
Yes, use the same steps: check the tag, spot clean stains, and hand wash in cool water if the toy can take it. Rinse out every bit of soap, since soap left in the fur can leave a film. Let it dry fully somewhere airy, because damp stuffing takes a long time to dry through.
How do I clean a large or giant stuffed animal?
The same rules apply, so check the tag before choosing between spot cleaning and a hand wash. Work in sections with a damp cloth and give it extra time to air dry, since the stuffing takes longer to dry through.
What if a stuffed animal is dropped in dirt or sand?
Vacuum up as much as you can first, then use the spot cleaning steps on any remaining marks. Brushing off the loose grit before wetting it keeps the dirt from turning into a muddy stain.
What if the care tag is missing or unreadable?
Do not guess. Spot clean only, test a hidden spot first, and air dry it, since a missing tag means skipping the machine and the full wash.
Will baking soda get rid of odors?
It can help, since baking soda is a gentle deodorizer. Sprinkle a small amount on the fur, brush it off after it sits, and test a hidden spot first.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
More cleaning guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.