How to Clean Plush Toys and Stuffed Animals (Without Ruining Them!)

Whether you’re a parent, a plushie lover, or just someone who cherishes their handmade crochet treasures, keeping your stuffed toys clean and fluffy is essential. At Laiken’s Makins, we pour love into every stitch—from our cozy washcloths to the cuddly fidget toys—and we want you to feel confident when it’s time to give them a little TLC.

Cleaning a plush toy might seem intimidating, especially when it’s handmade or made from delicate materials like chenille yarn. But don’t worry! With a few simple steps, you can freshen up your stuffed companions without causing damage. This guide will walk you through both gentle spot cleaning and full washing methods, plus offer special tips for keeping handmade items looking their best.

Spot Cleaning for Light Stains

Sometimes your plushie just needs a quick refresh—maybe a little jelly from snack time or a smudge from a curious adventure. For minor messes, spot cleaning is your best friend.

What You’ll Need:

• A small bowl of warm water
• A drop or two of dish detergent
• A clean cloth or sponge

How to Do It:

1. Mix the dish detergent with warm water.
2. Dip your cloth or sponge into the solution and wring out the excess.
3. Gently dab and rub the stained area. Don’t scrub too hard—you want to agitate the fibers just enough to lift the dirt without damaging the yarn.
4. Rinse the area with a damp cloth to remove any soap.
5. Let it air dry completely.

This method is especially ideal for crochet creations from Laiken’s Makins, where individual stitches and yarn textures deserve a little extra care. Our toys are crafted with both beauty and durability in mind, but gentle treatment helps them last even longer.

Machine Washing Guidelines

For bigger messes or a general refresh, a machine wash might be needed. The key here is to treat your toy like you would your most delicate clothing item. That means cool water, gentle motion, and plenty of protection.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Check for Loose Ends or Damage
   Before washing, inspect your plushie—especially if it’s a handmade item from Laiken’s Makins. Loose yarn ends can unravel in the wash, so give it a once-over and tuck in any threads.
2. Bag It Up
   Always place the toy in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase tied shut. This protects the stitches and keeps limbs, ears, or other delicate parts from catching on anything.
3. Choose the Right Cycle
   Use the delicate cycle with cold water. Hot water can shrink yarn or fade colors, especially in handmade items.
4. Skip the Fabric Softener
   While softener may seem like a good idea, it can leave a residue that weighs down soft yarns and reduces fluff. Instead, you’ll use something better in the rinse…

Rinsing and Residue Removal

Here’s a pro tip: add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It acts as a natural fabric softener, helping remove any leftover soap or old softener that may have built up in the fibers.

Vinegar might sound like an odd choice, but it works beautifully on chenille and cotton yarns (like those often used in Laiken’s Makins toys). Plus, it helps revive fluff and keeps colors vibrant—perfect for keeping your handmade friends looking fresh.

Drying the Plush Toy

Drying can make or break your toy—literally. The safest method is always air drying, but there are some gentle shortcuts you can try.

Air Drying:

• Once washed, gently press the toy between two towels to remove excess water.
• Lay it flat on a clean, dry towel and reshape it.
• Let it air dry for 24–48 hours depending on thickness.

Towel Burrito Method (For Hand-Washed Toys):

• Lay the toy flat on a towel, then roll it up like a burrito and gently press to soak up water.
• Repeat with a dry towel if needed before laying it out to air dry.

Optional Dryer Use:

• If you’re in a rush, a short drying cycle on low heat can be used—but only if your yarn type is machine-safe. Remove the plush while it’s still damp to finish drying naturally.
• After it’s dry, give it a little fluff by hand to restore its softness.

At Laiken’s Makins, we often use Bernat Baby Blanket and other machine-washable yarns for items like baby toys and plush animals, so they can handle this process well. However, most other chenille yarns don’t fare well with heat, so always check your yarn type or contact us if you’re unsure.

Yarn-Specific Tips for Washing

Not all yarns are created equal! Here’s how different yarns behave when washed, based on our experience at Laiken’s Makins and feedback from our trusted pattern testers.

Best Yarn Types for Washing:

• Bernat Baby Blanket: Machine washable and dryable. Great for baby toys and plushies.
• 100% Mercerized Cotton: Colorfast, durable, and soft. Machine safe.
• Baby Cotton/Synthetic Blends: Designed for easy washing and made with sensitive skin in mind.

Handle with Care:

• Regular Cotton Yarn: May bleed or fade. Pre-soak with vinegar and water before the first wash.
• Chenille Yarn (non-Bernat): Washable, but often not dryable. Prone to shedding if not handled gently.

We choose our yarns at Laiken’s Makins with practicality in mind, especially for fidget toys and items that get a lot of use. You’ll find most of our plushies are made with yarns that can handle gentle machine washing, so you don’t have to worry about baby spit-ups, snack crumbs, or surprise mud puddles.

Extra Tips for Handmade Crochet Items

Handmade items need a little more love than factory-made ones—but that’s part of what makes them so special. Here are a few tips to help your Laiken’s Makins creations last for years:

• Wash sparingly – Only clean when needed to preserve shape and texture.
• Avoid harsh chemicals – Stick to mild detergents and skip bleach.
• Don’t wring or twist – Always blot or press instead to avoid stretching.
• Store dry – Never store damp crochet; it can lead to mold or mildew.

Each handmade item from Laiken’s Makins comes with a touch of heartfelt affection—and with these cleaning methods, you’ll keep that spirit alive and well, even after messy adventures.

In Closing: Clean, Fluffy, and Full of Love

Whether it’s a cute fidget toy tucked in a pocket, a well-loved plush buddy, or a handmade dish cozy from your kitchen, keeping your crochet creations clean is easy with a little care and the right steps. At Laiken’s Makins, we believe every handmade item should be both beautiful and practical—built to be used, loved, and yes, cleaned!

By following these gentle cleaning methods, you’ll help your toys and household goodies stay in great shape for years to come. So go ahead—snuggle, play, and make memories. We’ve got your back when it comes time to wash.