Most children tend to accumulate mounds of stuffed animal toys. Initially, a single stuffed toy may find its way into the house, but before long, the number of those plush creatures often expands with remarkable speed and before you know it, you're looking at a shrinking area of the floor and an expanse of furry friends.
There are plenty of ingenious ways to arrange your little one's stuffed animal collection and keep them neat and orderly. If you're looking to store some of their toys away for a while, there are also measures you can take to make sure those items are well-preserved. One of the most effective ways of organizing toys is to make sure that the animals are neat and tidy, yet still allowing your child access to them. Kids tend to grow quite attached to the toys and stuffed animals that they have, so making sure that they are easy to get to is a great idea.
1. Repair rips and holes. Before cleaning your stuffed animals or preserving them for the future, make sure to mend any holes or tears so the washing process doesn’t worsen the damage. It's a good idea to restore rips or tears before storing them away for extended periods.
- Gather a needle and thread that is roughly the same hue as the animal. Secure the thread through the needle and tie a secure knot at the beginning of the thread.
- Start at one end of the tear and push the needle in from the bottom to secure the thread in place. Then, move the needle and thread from one side of the rip to the other in one long, continuous line. Take it down a bit and make another stitch and carry on in this manner until the tear is patched up.
- Don't forget to stitch and firmly attach eyes, bows, and any other accents that may have come off.
2. Vacuum the animals. To keep stuffed animals free of dust, dirt, mites, allergens, and other particles that can accumulate, it is a good idea to give them a vacuum periodically and be sure to do so before putting them away in storage.
- Gather several medium to large cuddly toys, and put them in a big trash bag. Put the vacuum cleaner's hose inside the bag and make sure to close it securely around the nozzle. Turn on the vacuum and watch it pull out all the dirt, dust, and air!
- Once you're done, you may want to give your animals a little extra padding if the stuffing has shifted around a bit.
- To clean those tiny toys of yours, just grab them and attach the nozzle that fits their size. This will allow you to quickly and easily get rid of any dirt and dust.
3. Clean the animal toys. Depending on the age or fragility of your animals, you can either pop them into the washing machine, wash them by hand, or use baking soda for cleaning. Be sure to consult the care labels on the animals prior to selecting the appropriate method.
- For those toys that can be machine-washed, put each animal in a mesh laundry bag or into a pillowcase in order to keep them from getting snagged. You can also use the delicate or hand wash cycle if available, and use mild detergent and cold water.
- To clean your animal friends, just fill a sink with lukewarm water and put in a tablespoon of mild laundry detergent. Soak the toy in the water and rub the fur with your hands in a gentle yet thorough manner to get rid of dirt. Rinse the toy off in a new sink full of clean water to make sure all the detergent is washed away.
- For a way to clean animals with baking soda, put individual animals in either a plastic bag or a pillowcase. Sprinkle on enough baking soda – one tablespoon (15 g) for a small critter, and one-quarter cup (60 g) for a bigger one – to create a light dusting. Seal the bag and give it a good shake. Let your furry friend sit in the baking soda for thirty minutes, and then use a damp towel to remove dirt and any extra baking soda.
4. Make sure your stuffed animals are packed properly!
Once your beloved stuffed animals are fresh and in good condition, it's time to prepare them for storage. To ensure their well-being, consider wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper before stowing them away. This is particularly important if you're planning to store any antique, valuable, or collectible plush toys for an extended period of time.
Then, place them in plastic tubs with lids, but make sure not to overpack them. This will help prevent any damage to the fur or shape of the toys. You can also store your stuffed toys in boxes made of acid-free cardboard for an extra layer of protection.
If you're looking to save space in your storage unit, you might be thinking about using a vacuum seal bag. Unfortunately, that might not be the best idea when it comes to preserving your stuffed animals. When they're squished for too long, they can end up losing their shape permanently. So, it's best to find another way to store them that won't flatten them out!
5. Don't forget to keep this item in a climate-controlled space for the best results!
If you've got all the previous steps down pat, a climate-controlled storage unit is the way to go for keeping your stuffed animals safe and sound for the long haul. It's a top tip for packing things away for the long term. Climate-controlled storage spaces are where it's at - with steady temperatures that make sure your plush toys stay in tip-top shape by reducing humidity at bay!
