Do you have plush toy animals in your house? Do you know how to properly wash and care for your child’s plush toys? It is imperative that you understand the risk your child runs when playing with dirty toys.

There are different sorts of stuffed toy animals available on the toy store shelves. Choose those which can be washed in washing machines and dishwashers. Carefully look at the fabric. The more porous and rough the fabric is, the more germs will get stuck over and under it.

The plush toys can either be tossed into the washing machine or into the first rack of the dish washer depending on the instructions given on the tag. The frequency of washing depends on how much the toy is being used. If it is visibly dirty, wash it right away. If it is played once or twice a week by your child, wash it monthly. However, if it is handled by kids on a daily basis in a day care setting, a weekly washing schedule would be recommended.

Simple dirt, such as stains and dust, get washed off by detergent. However, if the stuffed toy online has been played by someone sick, someone with a cold or flu, you’ll have to go the extra mile. Keep the plush toy dipped in bleach-water or non-aerosol disinfectant solution for around ten minutes. Rinse with water and dry in the sun. Both the solution and the sunlight will kill the tough germs that didn’t get killed simply by detergents.

There are certain germs that are too powerful for even non-aerosol disinfectants. Dust mites are one example of such germs. If your child has a relatively weak immune system as compared to kids of the same age, prevent him from getting sick. Do so by covering the plush toys with a plastic wrap and keeping them in the freezer for a few hours every week.

The best way to dry the plush toy animals is to first spin them in the washing machine and then keeping them out in the sun to dry completely. However, if sunlight isn’t available, try keeping them near the heater. But be careful or a part of the toy could melt or get burnt.