I need to clean a collection of modern plush toys.  All have huge
sentimental value and I am looking for a way to clean them safely
without damaging them or degrading their appearance.

I have tried gentle hand washing, but that tends to clump the fibers. 
I am willing to use dry cleaning, if that's better.  I don't think
there is a specialist plush toy cleaner nearby and I won't mail them.

Good morning, spurious,

As a mother and grandmother I know what it's like to have children
dragging around beloved, bedraggled, security toys. I also know that
after months and years of 'love' these toys are most likely little
germ gardens!

So what to do? As you say, washing is sometimes hazardous to a plush
toy's health. I've found a most excellent page which seems to address
all your concerns and offers some very good advice. It's maintained by
a plush toy manufacturer.

Stuffe & Nonsense Lore: Cleaning Stuffed Animals
http://www.stuffemal.com/misc/HowToCleanPlush.html


Another site with cleaning ideas is:

What Is a Plushie?
http://plushie.info/plush1.html


On the 'Plushie' page, I found reference to a commercial cleaner
called Bubble Gund. You can read about and/or order either on-line or
by phone here.

Bubble Gund Surface Cleaner
http://www.hannabrucebears.com/bblegund.html


It's a half dollar cheaper here:

Bubble Gund Cleaner for Plush and Beanies @ Kumachans
http://www.kumachans.com/bubblegund.htm


On this next page you'll find a brief testimonial to Bubble Gund's
effectiveness. Scroll down to tip #2 to read it.

MC20
http://www.homestead.com/kaa2002/mc20.html


Good luck to you and the toys!
revbrenda1st


Search strategy:

wash plush toys
://www.google.ca/search?q=wash+plush+toys&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=20&sa=N

Bubble Gund
://www.google.ca/search?q=Bubble+Gund&btnG=Google+Search&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

plush toys +cleaning
://www.google.ca/search?q=plush+toys+%2Bcleaning&btnG=Google+Search&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

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Request for Answer Clarification by spurious-ga on 06 Apr 2003 17:44 PDT

That first link is really excellent, although it's confirmed my fears
about how difficult it is to clean them - even by dry cleaning.

Some general feedback and observations (not a clarification request)

I wand washed a bunny yesterday.  From his pre-wash state, it was
obvious a really deep clean was necessary.  I was terrified, but I'm
glad to say he's better off now than before.

I already have a bottle of Bubble Gund. I have used it before, and
while the dammage done was minimal, I didn't see an appreciable
improvement in cleanliness.

Hence, I'll be sticking to the techniques suggested in your link.

Thanks!

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Clarification of Answer by revbrenda1st-ga on 06 Apr 2003 18:18 PDT

Hi again, spurious, 

I'm happy for the bunny. My kids toted around Pound Puppies, Cabbage
Patch dolls, stuffed ETs, and squishy Darth Vaders and Yodas.   :)

A few of those survive in various states of well-being with their
original owners, not here where I need to worry about their
conditions. In all honesty, I don't think the kids even notice that
the toys are any different from the day they first laid eyes on them.

I, too, believe the first link I offered you is by far the best, but I
felt that the others might be of some benefit to you.

Thank you for the rating and tip. I am grateful.

I wish you well, 
revbrenda1st

That first link is really excellent! Thanks.