Handle Your Giant Teddy Bear with Care - Tips & Ideas

Do you know that the flu virus can stay on toys and surfaces for up to 48 hours? Plus the Norovirus aka stomach bug can linger for weeks on surfaces. And when it comes to handling a giant teddy bear, it can capture stubborn stains and infections if ignored the cleaning for a longer time.

There are several different methods out there to sterilize toys and teddy bears like cleaning with a dishwasher, using hot soapy water and rinse, cold sterilization method or making your own natural spray. However, these methods work great in keeping baby’s toys clean and stopping bad bacteria or germs from lingering in your house but an oversized teddy bear needs careful cleaning and wiping stains as they are more likely to catch adamant dirt and spots.

Tips to clean the giant teddy bear at home

#1 Spot Cleaning

This is one of the most common methods of cleaning stuffed toys and other delicate toys. Things you require for this is the white-coloured microfiber cloth, 1 teaspoon of detergent or shampoo and some normal water (which is not too hot or nor too cold).

Dip the cloth into the cleaning solution and gently clean the area with spots, dirt and stains. Now, remove the solution residue by wiping it with a clean cloth dipped in water. You may also spray it with a sanitizer at the end to wipe off bacteria, germs and allergens.

#2 Machine Washing

Most of the teddy bears can easily take a spin in a washing machine but there can be a probability of damage as well. Check the tag and go through the washing instructions. If your teddy bear has delicate embroidery like eyes, buttons, speaker, glitters or any other glued item then you should definitely avoid machine washing.

In case, your teddy bear does not have any above-mentioned delicate embroidery and even the tag attached to it also suggests machine-washing, then there’s nothing better than this method. Just make sure you stuff your bear properly to the machine. Better to pour some soft-shampoo like any cheap hair shampoo or shower get instead of a detergent.

#3 Hand Washing

Now, this is an ideal method to wash a giant teddy bear. The reason being the size due to which they generally do not fit into a washing machine. Get a soft fingernail brush, detergent or shampoo, bathtub and warm water. Remember, putting too cold or too hot water can damage your boo bear.

Fill the bathtub with water, pour some shampoo or shower gel, make some bubble and soak your oversize teddy bear to that water. Let it hang it around there for at least 20 minutes. In case it is too dirty, use a fingernail brush and gently rub it over the affected area. Now drain the dirty water and refill the bathtub with some clean water to remove the shampoo or wash it directly under running water. Now, bring it out and air dry.

Make your own cleaning solution

If your boo bear is handled by kids then frequent cleaning is a must. Kids have a habit to drag their toys around the house or in the backyard that could give their teddy tough stains. Or in any case, your child has gone through any serious infection, allergy or virus and has used his favorite teddy for comfort then cleaning should be done on priority.

If you do not like the idea of washing your plush toy in detergent, you can create your own homemade solution. Fill the bathtub with warm water, submerge your giant teddy bear in it. Put 2-3 cups of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda over it. Now use your hands to gently clean and eliminate the stains. Rinse it off and air dry. As simple as that.

A quick way to remove odor from a giant teddy bear

Is your plush bear stinking a lot? Maybe it needs a quick fix. Take a big plastic sheet, cornstarch or baking soda. Wrap your teddy bear completely in the plastic sheet like wrapping a gift and put 3 cups of baking soda in it. Just shake it properly so that baking soda reaches every part of its body. Once powder gets absorbed, unwrap the teddy bear and keep it aside.

Now let it sit for the next couple of hours and meanwhile you gently brush it off to remove the particles. And, your baby bear is back in the game, all shining and refreshing. Always incorporate this method after the washing, not before.