03 Jul 2025
They’ve been sneezed on, cuddled throughout every meal and dragged around the garden.
Whether they belong to children, pets, or grown-ups who just really love their teddy (no judgment), cuddly toys NEED a good clean now and again.
So, here’s how to wash a teddy bear (or any soft toy) and keep them looking (and smelling) like their best selves.
1. read the label.
Check that little care label tucked somewhere behind their fuzzy ear. It’s your cuddly’s personal instruction manual and it will tell you if you’re safe to machine wash, need to hand wash, or should avoid water altogether and stick to spot cleaning.
And speaking of spot cleaning… if your beloved has batteries, a mechanical voice box or mysterious crinkly bits? Trust us on this one. Soaking your talking teddy is not the way to go.
2. don’t skip the colour test.
Before you go full laundry spa day, do a quick patch test. Rub a bit of diluted laundry detergent (smol works beautifully here) on a hidden bit of fabric (eg, their foot or under their tail). If any colour comes off? Abort mission and stick with just plain water.
3. find the best time.
This step is crucial.
Some teddies live a quiet shelf life. Others are critical cuddle companions who sleep, eat, and adventure with their human 24/7. If yours is in the latter camp, you’ll want to wash them:
- after your child has been poorly
- weekly if they sleep with them nightly
- and whenever they start to look a little… lived-in
If your cuddly is needed for proper restful sleep then wash them first thing in the morning so they’ve had time to dry before hitting the sheets!
4. machine wash option.
If the care label gives you the green light, machine washing is a totally legit option.
Pop them in a laundry bag (or pillowcase with the end tied in a knot). This helps protect eyes, stitching and delicate limbs.
Set your washing machine to a gentle cycle. And remember, cold water is your best bet for protecting colours.
Add your smol laundry capsule or laundry liquid and away they go!
When the cycle has ended, remove them and allow them to air dry like the soft royalty they are. You can either lay them flat or hang them up safely (bear hammock, anyone?). Just make sure to avoid the tumble dryer because heat and glue don’t mix.
hand wash option.
Some toys need the royal hand wash treatment. Here’s how to show them the love:
Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and a small amount of smol laundry liquid.
Pop your cuddly into its own personal bath and gently swish them around. Make sure to pay lots of attention to obvious mucky spots.
Rinse with clean water until the bubbles are gone.
Gently press out the water (no wringing!) and allow them to air dry.
spot cleaning for delicate darlings.
If your teddy simply can’t take a soaking, mix a little laundry detergent with cool water and dab the solution onto any stains with a soft cloth. Gently blot the marks, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Let them air dry somewhere cosy.
final fluff-up.
Once dry, give your cuddly a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush to fluff them back to their original glory. They’ll be clean, fresh, and ready for a whole heap more cuddles.