My 15 month old son loves his stuffed animlas and has one favorite, a dog. He spends every nap and bed time sucking on this dog's ears and/or tail. It is soggy most of the time, and very very worn out because of washing it in the washing machine. The cleanliness of the dogs ears and tail are starting to really concern me. It sems like it is even getting moldy and smells most of the time. Is there any hope for keeping the dog? I need suggestions for really cleaning these ears and tail and maintanance tips for washing a stuffed animal that needs a good bath almost every day. I feel like this is a silly request, but my son loves this dog!
Thanks for any advice!
Here is an ebay store where I found my daughter's favorite bear so I could by a back-up bear. Maybe this will help to find a replacement or just one so you can switch them off and on. http://stores.ebay.com/KIMS-TOYBOX Good luck!
First, get one or two dogs exactly like it and rotate them.
When washing any stuffed animal in the washing machine, put it into a pillowcase and tie the end tightly.
Always wash on a very gentle cycle and air dry.
This should keep them in decent condition for a long time.
If you cannot find the dog at Toys r us, etc. look on ebay.
Hope this helps.
When my daughter was a baby she got hooked on a ducky that my mom had bought as a shower present. My husband read in a parenting magazine that if they have a "lovey" of some sort like that to make sure that you have two identical ones to be able to switch them out. We went to the store and bought the remainging three on a clearance closeout. That one tip has been such a life saver, as now 4 1/2 years later, she is still addidicted to duck - but also understands that he does need a trip to the washer and dryer for cleaning. If your son is so hooked on the dog (and it sounds like he is) you may want to see if you can find another one close enough to it that you can switch them out - giving you time to get a good cleaning (or two) on this one without your son missing him. You could try a mildew remover, or just adding a little bleach (color safe) to the wash to see if that helps.
I've discovered that Oxiclean is great for taking out odors. Also, washing stuffed animals in a front load washer is easier on them and gets them cleaner. I took all my daughters to the laundrymat and used a front load, they came out looking like new! Even the teddy bear that my husband gave me over 20 years ago.
You could google it but I believe I heard you can put stuff animals in a paperbag with corn strach to help with cleaning but Im not sure if it's an old wise tale. Good luck
hmmm... no responses yet. I was hoping to find a Bree VandeKamp solution listed here. My best advice is to wash it on a delicate setting, but with a stronger detergent. Maybe pour a 1/2 cup or so of vinegar and a 1/2 cup of pinseol. Between those two things, and a hotter water setting, I'm guessing any bacteria will be killed.
Have you thought of trying to replace his doggy with something easier to wash? Maybe a pacifier? Let him sleep with his doggie, but try popping a paci in his mouth.
Before you wash the toy spray the smelly and moldy areas with X-14 ( mildew remover) then throw immediately into the wash with hot water. If the animal is plush, putting it in a pillowcase can cut down on the wear and tear. My kids all had a Pet like that another thing to do is buy another one and start washing it. for a little while the child may carry or want both but hopefully you can get him on a new one. Read him the story of the velveteen rabbit that seems to help too.
I am mother of 6 and grandma of 12
Hello K.!
I ran into the same concern when my kids where very young. Put the stuffed animal ina lingerie bag and put it in the washer on gentle cycle.
Talk soon!
Life Coach J.
I was able to find a duplicate for my daughter's animal and swap it out. Some kids won't accept a replacement because it just isn't the same. But it may be worth a try. Google, eBay, etc.
Perhaps you can spin a yarn about the dog's brother, twin, son, dad, etc, to get the new dog welcomed into the fold. Also, position the new dog as having been really really lonely alone before you found him, and that he really really needs your son's help and love. Even 15 month olds need to be needed.
Good luck.
Hi K. - I'm so glad Robin mentioned GSE it's great stuff, and doesn't leave a residue like you get with oxiclean. I would explain to your son sucking on doggy makes doggy yucky. Maybe he loves it so much he could fuzz the ears instead. I'd soak the toy in warm water w/ vinegar and about 30 drops of GSE (about 10.00 at the health food store, and it has many uses!) then run it through the spin cycle to ring it out. But not wash it after that. The vinegar smell will fade.
A. H
Put it in a pillowcase or hosery and put it in the washer gentle cycle then in the dryer reg heat.
Thant works for us:-)
K., Thank heavens it is washable, use a little, non chlorine bleach in your next wash, or add some baking soda to the wash. You can also post a "want it now" on ebay, put a picture of the dog, that way you can have spares. it costs nothing to post a "want it now", so how can it hurt?
Good luck. K.
K.- My son has "moo-bear" (actually we have 2-- 1 to leave at baby-school and one at home). When he was younger and Moo-Bear went everywhere I would throw them into the washing machine once a week and occassionally into the dryer (if we need him dry fast). The stuffing got a little bunchy, but other that a little fadding, Moo Bear is fine.
If the dog is really moldy and or midewy I would throw him away. Mold and mildew are hard/impossible to remove in the washing machine and are harmful to your son. (Can you find a new dog? I had to search the internet for hours to find Moo-Bear 2-- but it was worth it).
K.
My son also has a favorite stuffed animal... a cat, which also happens to be white. The cat goes everywhere with him. Needless to say it get very dirty and very stinky. When it needs cleaning I just tell him that kitty needs a bath and we put it in the washing machine. I usually start laundry early in the day and try to make my light colored clothes the first load I do so that I can get "kitty" dry before bed/nap time. After a good wash in the washing machine I either put him in the dryer with the rest of the clothes and a dryer sheet (which really makes him smell good) or I leave it on top of the dry to dry for a fresh air smell. In the warmer months I put kitty outside to dry. Hope this helps.
My youngest had a favorite toy dog. Well loved, well worn. What I did was go to the fabric store and get the materials to make a look-alike. I measured the ear, the tail, everything and put together a 'twin'. It sorta worked. He didn't take to it like his 'Gabe' dog. But we were able to put Gabe on the closet shelf.
If you don't sew, find a seamstress who could do the job.
To this day, my youngest is 17, going on 18, going on graduation, going on being an Air Force serviceman, and he's a second degree black belt.
Where's Gabe the dog? Right along side him in bed. My Gabe loves his 'Gabe' dog. Had some memorable moments with that dog, especially at the vet!
K.,
Quick question, does your son take a daily bath in the evenings? You might be able to build washing the puppy into his routine.
First puppy needs his bath and while the machine is running your son can get his bath. Then while reading stories before bed, puppy can go into the dryer to get nice and dry.
I like the idea of the GSC solution, I'm definately going to look for that at my health food store. My son, 6, is just starting to suck on his gloves, clothes, etc.
Good luck with your son!
-C..
