Not all plush toys can survive a cycle in the washing machine. So you should be careful to what their labels say. Most labels will show you if the stuffed toy animals is not washable. Use a delicate cycle with the cold water option, and use plenty of softener, so the toy doesn’t lose its fluffy feel. When it’s time to go in the dryer, make sure to tumble dry low and add lots of dryer sheets.

If you have stuffed toys wholesale that you’re not sure about, use a home dry cleaning bag or some other reliable brand from your local store. Put one or a few toys and put them in the dryer, according to the instructions on the label. This will allow them to come out smelling fresh, without chancing any tears from a destroyed toy that was once loved.

Some toys are obviously delicate. They need to be treated without water or heat. There’s another option for these delicate but dusty toys. That is the bag and vacuum method. Just put a few plush toy animals in a garbage bag. Then, put the hose attachment on your vacuum and lock it with your hand. Turn on the vacuum and the dust will gently be sucked out. Then, to freshen them up a little more, you can squirt them with some fabric spray. It’s important to only try this method on large or medium stuffed animals.

If you have a delicate toy that you don’t dare take any chances with, then use the old fashioned way: wash them by hand. This allows you to be flexible. You can either wash the entire stuffed animal, or just scrub at the trouble spots. Say you have a stuffed dog, you can soak the stuffed animal in some water with detergent for about 10 to 20 minutes, then just scrub at the worst spots. When you’re done, make sure to rinse the dog thoroughly, wring out the water, then let the animal air dry. If you want to do the spot method, simply use a toothbrush with soft bristles to dip into water and detergent.