Cleaning Mildewed Stuffed Animals

Home Home and Auto Cleaning Eliminating Odors Cleaning Mildewed Stuffed Animals

Cleaning Mildewed Stuffed Animals

How do I get the mildew smell out of a stuffed animal toy? Any ideas?
Gerri

What's Causing the Mildew Smell?

This happened to us once due to liquid being spilled on a much-loved stuffed animal belonging to my son. What is causing the mildew smell? If it is inside, you may have to replace the stuffing. That's easy. Just cut a small opening along a seam (don't do this in sight of the child!) and pull out the insides. Throw them out and stuff with plastic bags, packing foam peanuts, or the inside stuffing from another stuffed animal that is not so loved. Then stitch up the seam with a couple tight stitches. If the outside of the animal smells, rub in baking soda or cornstarch, put it in a plastic bag tied tight for a few days, then brush it and shake it hard, and leave it outdoors in the sun if you can.
Carrie

Remove Stuffing when Cleaning Mildewed Stuffed Animals

It has to be washed out. If the stuffed animal is washable, wash it in hot water and air fluff in the dryer. Then hang it up to completely dry. Alternatively, remove the stuffing through a small hole, wash the de-stuffed animal, re-stuff with fresh, clean batting/stuffing, and then sew the hole shut.
Rosemary

Place in Box with Newspaper

Place the stuffed animal in a cardboard box with several sheets of crumpled newspaper and securely close the box. Leave for a few days. The charcoal in the newsprint should eliminate the mildew smell. Baking soda may also be effective.
Joyce

Get Help from the Doctor

Somehow, our dark laundry had become tainted with a sour smell, likely from an old kitchen rag that got washed with a dark load. Re-washing load after load never helped. Drying in the sunshine, which often serves well to air-out items, didn't help. The lingering odor was around for months. Finally, I squirted about an eighth to a quarter cup of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap (eucalyptus, in this case) directly into the wash. Problem solved.

You can find this product in most vitamin and health food stores. It may be a bit more expensive, but it is concentrated, and a tiny bit goes a long way. It can be used for many household purposes, as well.
R.

Wash with Lysol®

Try washing the stuffed animal in the washing machine on gentle cycle with just a few drops of old-fashioned Lysol®, the one in the brown bottle. This works wonders. Be sure to run through the rinse cycle, and if the smell of the Lysol® is too strong, rinse again. I have found that the old-fashioned Lysol® is very helpful with things like that.
Becky

Take the Next Step:

• To read more on cleaning mildewed stuffed animals or to add your own ideas, please visit The Dollar Stretcher Community.

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• Life insurance from marriage into midlife
• Affordable life insurance after 50? Or 60?
• How to track unclaimed life insurance money
• How to quickly boost your credit score
• Why good manners can boost financial success
• When it's OK to tap your IRA
• 6 cheap, effective home security solutions
• 5 excuses why people don't save for retirement
• Can a 'rapid rescore' help you get a mortgage?
• 5 types of credit unions worth joining
• Estate planning mistakes to avoid
• How to invest in a Roth IRA Video

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• Dollar Stretching Recipes: Slow cooker refried beans
• Cooking with coffee: Great recipes

Reader Favorites

• Natural homemade shampoo
• Homemade cat food
• Removing pet urine smells
• Cheap dates and family activities
• Auto loan prepayment penalties