Well, yes you can wash stuffed toys in a washing machine, but not all of them. Delicate toys are better to be washed with hands if you don’t want to damage them.
If you have decided to wash the stuffed toys, I would say it’s a good decision as washing toys after a while or whenever it seems dirty is necessary to keep them germ-free and remove any dirt or dust from them, but you need to know the right way to wash them so that washing couldn’t harm the toy in any way.
The very first thing that you can do is check the instruction label of the stuffed toy that you want to wash. If the label says that a particular toy is not washable in the machine then you shouldn’t try to wash it in the machine.
However, if you have checked the instruction label and there is no such instruction and you feel like washing it in the machine would not be a problem, then go for it.
Before tossing your stuffed toy in the machine, put it in a mesh laundry sack to protect eyes, nose, or any part that has been glued on the toy. As direct washing can destroy those parts and can ruin your toy.
If you’re ready to wash your stuffed toy in a washing machine, then set your washing machine to a delicate cycle, and use cold or warm water whatever is recommended in the instruction label of that toy, but do not use warm water if you think that the toy couldn’t endure it. Do not use any harsh detergent or chemical to wash it, instead use a mild detergent that couldn’t harm your toy.
After washing comes the drying process. It’s not advisable to dry your stuffed toy in a drying machine or dryer as it would damage the toy, but if you want to do it, you can try by setting the option to no heat or low heat. However, letting the toy dry in the open air is a much better option.
If you have a little more time and can put in a little more effort, then you can try washing the stuffed toy with your hands. It’s a much better option as it has a lesser chance of causing any damage to the toy.
For washing the toy with your hand you need a large bucket or tub in which you can soak your toy, a mild detergent, and a soft dry towel.
You just need to soak the toy in water containing mild detergent and wash the toy with light hands. Afterwards, air dry the stuffed toy and then use the towel to dry the toy.
Another possibility is if your stuffed toy contains any element of electronics. In that case, washing a toy by soaking it in water is not a choice. What you can do is take a clean cloth damp in it with a solution containing water and mild soap and then wipe the toy with a cloth. Remove the leftover soap from the toy with another piece of cloth, and then dry it with a soft towel.
Whatever process you would choose for cleaning your stuffed cloth, it would be great if you could check all the instructions given for that toy in its instruction label to avoid any risk.
I hope this answer would have cleared all your doubts related to the washing of stuffed toys and could give a clear idea of what you need to do after you have decided to wash or clean your stuffed toy.