Washing soft toys: machine, hand wash or freezer? 5 steps

The teddy has been in the sandpit, at the snack table and through countless nights in the cot. At some point the fur gets matted and a smell settles in that no longer has anything to do with a child's bedroom. Washing soft toys is no big deal then – as long as you pick the right method for each one.

In summer, washed soft toys dry especially quickly in the fresh air. Five steps show when the washing machine is fine, when hand washing is better and what the freezer can do against dust mites.

Why washing soft toys regularly matters

Cuddly toys get squeezed, chewed, dragged around and dropped on the floor. Saliva, food crumbs, skin flakes and dust collect in the fur. This matters especially for children with a house dust mite allergy: the aha! Swiss Allergy Centre recommends, among other things, reducing dust traps and washing bedding at 60 °C. Soft toys in bed count among these dust traps.

Not every soft toy tolerates every treatment. This overview helps you choose:

1. Check the label and prepare the toy

Look for the sewn-in label. A crossed-out washtub means: do not wash, surface-clean only. A number in the tub gives the maximum temperature.

Before washing:

• Remove electronics: many soft toys have a music box or light that comes out through a Velcro opening. Used batteries don't belong in the household rubbish: in Switzerland, all points of sale must take batteries back free of charge.
• Check seams and eyes: sew up open seams before washing, or the stuffing will come out. Secure loose eyes and buttons.
• Brush off dust: a soft clothes brush or the upholstery nozzle of the vacuum cleaner removes loose crumbs and dust.
• Pre-treat stains: apply a little gall soap or liquid detergent to the stain and work it in gently, testing on an inconspicuous spot first.

2. Washing soft toys in the machine

Put the toy in a pillowcase or laundry bag and close it. This protects the fur and stops small parts getting caught in the drum. Add two or three towels – they balance the drum during the spin.

• Programme: delicates or wool cycle at 30 °C, unless the label says otherwise.
• Detergent: a mild delicates detergent, dosed sparingly. SwissEnergy recommends low temperatures and advises not increasing the detergent dose when washing cool.
• Spin: choose a low spin speed so the stuffing doesn't clump.
• No fabric softener: it mats the fur instead of softening it.

If the label allows 60 °C, you can wash the toy that hot in the case of a dust mite allergy. Most cuddly toys, however, are only designed for lower temperatures.

3. Hand washing delicate soft toys

For toys with glued-on parts, glitter or delicate fur, hand washing is gentler. Fill the washbasin with lukewarm water and a little delicates detergent. Squeeze the toy under water several times without rubbing or twisting it. Then rinse thoroughly in clean water until no more suds appear.

Non-washable soft toys are cleaned on the surface only: dab with a damp, well wrung-out cloth and a little mild soapy water, wipe over with clean water and let it dry. How to clean other toys made of wood and plastic is explained in our guide on how to clean toys.

4. Tackling dust mites in the freezer

Many soft toys can't take high temperatures. Cold helps against house dust mites instead: put the dry toy in a sealed freezer bag and leave it in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Then let it thaw in the bag so no condensation forms in the fur.

Important: the cold kills mites but removes neither the dead mites nor their droppings, which contain the actual allergens. Wash the toy afterwards, or shake and brush it out thoroughly. You'll find more measures for the children's room in our guide on how to reduce dust mites.

5. Drying soft toys properly

After washing, gently squeeze out the water and roll the toy in a towel to absorb more moisture. Then reshape it and let it dry somewhere airy and warm, for example on the balcony in the shade or on a clothes airer. Turn it now and then.

The stuffing takes much longer than the fur. After a day, squeeze the toy in the middle: if it still feels cool or damp inside, it needs more time. Stuffing that stays damp starts to smell and can go mouldy. Only use the tumble dryer if the label allows it, and on a low setting. Once everything is dry, brush up the fur with a soft brush.

The most common mistakes

• Washing with the battery inside: electronics and battery are ruined, and a leaking battery stains the fur.
• Washing too hot: synthetic fur mats and glued parts come loose.
• Back into bed before it's fully dry: damp stuffing smells musty and can go mouldy.
• Freezer instead of washing: the mites are dead, but the allergens remain.
• Drying on the radiator: fur and plastic parts can be damaged.

The cosy blanket from the children's room deserves a wash too, as our guide on how to wash a fleece blanket explains.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.