This post was modified on July 24, 2025.
Stuffed animals travel everywhere with kids, so it’s no surprise parents often find themselves searching for how to clean plush toys after a mess or spill. Picture this: you bought your child the cutest Beanie Boo plush animal, and your kiddo drags it along everywhere with them. It doesn’t matter if you go to the grocery store, library, a friend’s house, school, or for a car ride; you can be sure the Beanie is glued to your youngster’s hip. Meal and snack times are no exception, so when an unfortunate spill of grape juice or spaghetti sauce stains the cherished plush beanie, it becomes crunch time to find a solution to clean the tarnished plush. When the tears start flowing at the realization that their favorite plush animal is ruined, how do you clean your little one’s Beanie Boo and restore it to mint condition? How do you wash stuffed animals such as your Beanie Bellies without damaging their velvety-soft texture? The first thing to remember is not to panic. We have the dos and don’ts on how to clean a Beanie Boo and all other Ty plush products.
How Do You Clean Stuffed Animals?
To begin, some general tips for cleaning plush toys:
- Always check the care label on your plush or the manufacturer's website for specific care instructions.
- Use a lint roller or vacuum with a brush attachment to remove surface dust and debris before performing a deeper clean.
- Gently restore old or vintage stuffed animals.
- Spot-cleaning stains is a good initial step (see more detailed tips below).
- Avoid over-washing that can wear down fabric and colors.
- Repair loose seams and stuffing before more damage occurs.
- Even with advanced plush restoration, always use child-safe cleaning products.
Can You Wash Stuffed Animals?
Yes, you can wash stuffed animals most of the time by hand, or sometimes even in a washing machine. However, it’s very important to follow the plush toy care label instructions. In terms of how to wash stuffed animals, the best location to wash plushies, and what to wash your stuffed animals with, the answers will vary by product.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Stuffed Toys
Before we give you our best suggestions on how to remove that inevitable tainted spot from spilled food or a young one’s doodles, here are some typical methods of cleaning that we strongly advise you to avoid when disinfecting your child’s precious plush.
- Washing Machine & Dryer - Don’t throw the stuffed animal in with a load of laundry. The washer’s spin cycles, the heat from the dryer, and the harsh detergents used to wash your clothes aren’t a good combination for a delicate plush toy. Your washer and dryer appliances aren’t a friend to your child’s Beanie pal, especially if it has fragile, sparkly eyes, fur, sequins, or scales.
- Bleach - Using any type of bleach is a hard no. While bleach is a good cleaning agent for tough stains, it will ruin your child’s toy and take the color right off the plush.
- Clorox or Lysol Cleaning Wipes - Similarly, Clorox or Lysol wipes are everyday cleaners that contain abrasive chemicals. Using these on a plush toy may leave discoloration on the smeared spot.
- Dry Cleaners - Along with washing, don’t drop off your kid’s Beanie plush at your regular dry cleaners. While they are skilled at removing soiled marks from your work attire, plush toys are a whole other “animal.” Remember that the dry cleaner will also be throwing it in a washing machine and dryer with even harsher detergents that are not plush-friendly.
- Dishwasher - Lastly, don’t run the plush through the dishwasher. Ty products aren’t meant to get drenched in hot water. If the plushies are submerged in water, their unique textures will likely be damaged.
These tips on what not to do when restoring your plush toys may seem like no-brainers, but sometimes these ways of cleaning are routine. We want you to avoid completely ruining your kid’s favorite plushie when trying to remove a stained spot.
How to Clean Stuffed Animals: Cleaning YourTy Beanie Plush Properly
Once you know what to avoid, it’s also essential to understand how to clean stuffed animals in the best manner.. The iconic Ty heart tag instructs parents and kids to “surface clean” only. This means spot cleaning the blemished area of the plush toy will be your best bet to restore the Beanie. Here are our recommended suggestions to refresh your youngster’s Ty plush. *Caution: We always advise that you first test out any of these cleaning tactics on a tiny spot that is not quite as visible to see how the plush Beanie handles it.
- Baby Wipes - If you have baby wipes on hand, gently wipe the soiled area with them. Gently dabbing and softly rubbing the dirty spot may help clean the Beanie or toy plush.
- Cold Washcloth - Grab a washcloth or a paper towel, and run it under cold water. Wring the cloth out, and blot it on the smeared spot until the stain comes off.
- Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen - If using only water to remove the blemish didn’t do the trick, you can try using a Tide To Go Stain Remover pen. Apply the concentrated stain remover to the tarnished area, and use a wet cloth to lift the stain.
- Baking Soda - You may have some baking soda around, whether for freshness or baking. Use a small amount of baking soda if the stain is particularly greasy, as it will help absorb the oil. Then, spot clean with a damp cloth.
- Handwash - Use soap and cool water if the entire Beanie Boo is tarnished. Let the Ty plush air dry, and then use a soft-bristled brush to fluff out the fur.
- Vacuum - If the Beanie or Ty plush was dropped in dirt outside or a sandbox, start by vacuuming what you can. Then, try any of the cleaning methods above.
- Air Dry - No matter which way you spot clean the Ty plush, you want to make sure it air dries. You can start by using a towel to gently pat the plush animal dry, absorbing some of the excess water.
Any of these suggested cleaning solutions could be applied to all Ty products. The only exception to the “surface clean” instructions is Ty plush socks for kids. These adorable socks, which will probably get grass stains and be covered in dirt, can and should be thrown in a weekly load of laundry.
When you take any of these careful steps to cleanse your child’s plush beanie properly, your kiddo will thank you, and you will be happy because they’ll have their favorite plush, good as new. No more tears over spilled milk - literally.
If the plush toy doesn’t come clean after applying any of the above cleaning techniques because of a tough and hard-to-remove stain, you may have to throw in the towel and repurchase a new Ty plush. Lucky for you, our website is always up-to-date on current stocked Ty products, from classic Beanie Babies and popular Beanie Boos to huggable Squishy Beanies. You can order your favorites online 24/7 with free shipping and have a Beanie replacement in no time at all.