How to Wash a Teddy Bear (By Hand or In the Machine)

Brown teddy bear sitting next to yellow and orange slide with dirt on the arm

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 2 - 3 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-$5

Knowing how to wash teddy bears or other stuffed animals is important in any household where they are greatly loved by their owners, young or old. Kids like to take their teddy bears with them to places like the park, daycare, and restaurants and they get grubby with lots of handling. No one wants dust mites and mold on their bear because this can pass allergens, germs and illnesses on to family members. Learn how to wash a teddy bear successfully to preserve the fur so it can continue to provide years of fun and companionship.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine
  • Laundry drying rack
  • Blow-dryer or fan (optional)
  • Pail, bucket, or sink
  • Clothesline/clothespins (optional)

Materials

  • Soft toothbrush
  • Mesh bag or pillowcase
  • Liquid dish detergent or laundry detergent
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Towel

Instructions

How to Wash a Teddy Bear
 Detergent  Gentle / Mild
 Water Temperature  Cold
 Cycle Type  Gentle or hand-wash
 Drying Cyle  Air-Dry
 Special Treatments  Wash in a mesh bag
Iron Settings   Do not iron
 How Often to Wash  Once per month
Materials and tools to wash a teddy bear

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Clean a Teddy Bear in a Washing Machine

Before cleaning a teddy bear in a washing machine, be sure to check the care label and see if it's recommended. Also, check to see if it has removable stuffing. If so, remove the stuffing prior to washing so it does not form clumps.

  1. Brush Decorative Elements

    Using an old soft toothbrush and a little bit of laundry detergent with water, brush any button eyes or non-removable clothing details clean. The toothbrush will loosen up embedded dust, dirt, and other types of soil. Wash any removable clothing and accessories separately.

    Tan teddy bear's eye being brushed with soft old toothbrush

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Use a Mesh Bag

    Put the teddy bear into a protective mesh bag (like a lingerie bag) or pillowcase before putting it into a washing machine. This is a good idea for a delicate teddy bear but should be considered when you wash any stuffed toy.

    Tip

    If you must launder other items with the teddy bear, make sure they will not bleed color onto the stuffed animal by washing them with like colors only.

    Tan teddy bear placed in white mesh protective bag

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Add Laundry Detergent

    Choose a favorite gentle laundry detergent and add it to your wash load.

    White bottle of gentle laundry detergent held over tan teddy bear

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Choose Cold Water and Gentle Cycle

    Use cool or cold water and a gentle cycle only when washing a teddy bear. Be careful with glued-on, plastic, or decorative parts as warm or hot water can loosen the adhesive and melt the materials.

    Tip

    If your child has been ill and the teddy bear does not have any glued or decorative parts, you may try to use warm or hot water to clean and disinfect the stuffed animal. Keep in mind the teddy bear may not return to its former shape if subjected to hot water.

    Washing machine set to a sensitive setting

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. Dry the Teddy Bear

    Place the teddy bear on a laundry rack inside the tub or shower to air-dry or place in any well-ventilated area, like a room with a fan. Massage the stuffing (if you did not remove it) before and during the time it dries so it does not dry clumped. Another drying option is to drop-dry the bear by hanging it from a clothesline. Avoid doing so outside in the sun as it may result in fading.

    You may also use a blow dryer or fan to finish drying out the bear.

    Tip

    It's best not to put a teddy bear in a machine dryer, especially if it has any glued, plastic, or decorative elements. If you must resort to machine drying, do so for a minimum amount of time and use the no-heat or low-heat setting.

    Tan teddy bear being dried with black hair dryer

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. Brush the Fur

    Give the teddy bear a bit of grooming. If the fur looks matted after washing and cleaning, you can make a teddy bear fluffy again by brushing its fur gently with a soft-bristled brush. This restores the sleek shiny look that the teddy bear originally had.

    Back of tan teddy bear being brushed with soft-bristled brush

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Clean a Teddy Bear by Hand

  1. Fill Container or Sink

    Fill the container or sink with cool water and a bit of gentle liquid dish detergent or laundry detergent. Swish the water and detergent to create suds.

    Gentle liquid dish detergent squirted into sink with water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Submerge Teddy Bear

    Place the entire teddy bear in the water and squeeze the bear to fill it with water.

    Tan teddy bear placed in sink full of soapy water for washing

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Soak

    Let the teddy bear soak in the sudsy water for about 15 minutes up to 60 minutes. Delicate or older teddy bears should soak for only 15 minutes.

    Tan teddy bear soaking in sudsy water in sink

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Brush Decorative Parts

    At the end of the soaking period, grab a soft toothbrush. If the teddy bear has any decorative pieces or clothing, use the toothbrush to gently clean around them to dislodge embedded dust and dirt.

    Tan teddy bear face brushed with soft toothbrush

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. Rinse

    Rinse the bear under cool tap water until the suds are gone. Do not handle the bear too vigorously or the fibers and decorative parts can become damaged.

    Tan teddy bear rinsed under running sink water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. Remove Excess Water

    Place the teddy bear in a towel and wrap it up. Squeeze the teddy bear to remove excess water into the towel.

    Teddy bear wrapped and dried with white towel

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  7. Dry the Bear

    Air-dry the teddy bear. Put the bear on a laundry drying rack that is placed in a tub or shower. Before and during drying time, massage the bear so that the stuffing does not clump (if it was not removed). You can also drip-dry the bear by hanging it from a clothesline.

    Use a fan or blow dryer to finish off the drying.

    Tan teddy bear laid on drying rack to air dry

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  8. Brush the Fur

    Run a soft brush through the fur to fluff it up after the teddy bear is fully dry.

    Tan teddy bear brushed with soft brush after drying

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Care for a Vintage or Antique Teddy Bear

If the teddy bear is an antique or in vintage condition, avoid both washing by hand or machine. It is best to surface clean only. Some older bears are stuffed with wood wool which will rot when wet and others are stuffed with foam which may have degraded over time (newer bears may be filled with washable polyester).

Use mild detergent and water and a soft bristle brush to gently clean the bear's coat. Work slowly to avoid pulling out any fur. A handheld steam cleaner may help loosen any grime or buildup. When in doubt, call a professional. There are specific establishments that specialize in restoring older teddy bears.

How to Repair a Teddy Bear

If your child's bear is becoming worn, check the stuffed toy's manufacturer's policy. Some teddy bear companies have a lifetime guarantee and their own teddy bear hospitals. If so, you can ship the teddy bear back to the company and they will happily re-attach limbs and fix other common teddy bear health issues, keeping everyone happy. 

How Often to Clean a Teddy Bear

If a teddy bear is carried around daily as a loyal companion, it's important to clean it at least once a month. Even if your teddy bear is mostly sitting on a shelf, it can still accumulate dust and dirt in its fur and decorative clothing folds, which can lead to an unhygienic state. Therefore, it's essential to clean it occasionally to maintain its condition and hygiene.

Tips to Keep a Teddy Bear Clean Longer

  • Give a teddy bear a gentle vacuum every so often to keep it clean and fresh for longer periods. Use a hand-held vacuum or use the vacuum cleaner's upholstery or brush attachment to do the job.
  • If your child is really attached to a certain teddy bear from a young age, consider buying a backup. Rotate the bears throughout the day so that they wear evenly.
  • To freshen up a stuffed bear, put it in a plastic bag with 1 cup of baking soda. Shake for 20-30 seconds, leave in sunlight, then vacuum.
FAQ
  • Can you remove a stain from a teddy bear?

    If your teddy "bears" a stain, you may be able to remove it or at least improve the appearance. Scrape the excess buildup from the fur as gently as possible. Using a stain removal product or your favorite home remedy such as hydrogen peroxide and dish soap, work at the stain with a soft bristle brush or cloth. Rinse, dry and fluff. Repeat if necessary.

  • Is it possible to whiten a graying teddy bear?

    To brighten up a washable bear that's grown dull, you can soak in a bit of oxi-clean and water. Proceed to washing by machine or hand from there. You can also place it in a sealed bag with baking soda and allow it to soak up the oils and residue. Proceed to washing or vacuuming from there.

  • Can you dry clean a delicate teddy bear?

    You can use a home dry cleaning bag, such as Dryel to clean your teddy bear as well. Place in the dryer on low or no heat as per the instructions on the label. This will allow toys to come out smelling fresh without risking damage such as snags or tears.

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  1. Dust Mites. American Lung Association.