Any thoughts on cleaning a Plushie Doll

Not really a repair, but Coco needs a sponge down, before we go on a little adventure in August.

As it's only me that uses her and only my smell on her I haven't given her a sponge or wash since I've had her.

I dont want to drench her or put her outer skin in the washing machine, just wondered if any of you have used a nice and not too abrasive cleaning product for Fleece, as I don't want to damage Cocos skin and I do sleep with her.

I just want her smelling fresh and looking soft and cuddly, unfortunately I dont have a lot of space in the bathroom in the maisonette where I live. It's like a boxroom

Any good ideas welcome👍

Have a chat with Robert at Valentina Girls. He might have suggestions or recommendations?

Well it recommends shampoo or they call it that on the leaflet that they send with the doll, but shampoo is more for your hair. Maybe that's an American word for something else like shower gel. But I was thinking something more for fleece cleaning or dare I say it Teddy bear or soft toy cleaning.

I don't want to use lots of chemicals if I can help it

Or possibly a fabric spray cleaner that I can spray on and clean off with a damp cloth afterwards.

When Holly first arrived, how to eventually having to cleaning her was a concern. So the closest thing to a plushie was fleece stiffed animals for kids. So this is the best way to renew a stuffed animal. So below is what Pex is planning to do when the time comes...

Unstuffing, washing the fleece shell, and restuffing with fresh fill is actually one of the most effective ways to deep-clean a stuffed animal—especially if:

• It's heavily used or loved by a child (lots of drool, oils, skin contact)
• You’re worried about dust mites, allergens, or lingering odors
• The original stuffing feels clumpy, dirty, or smells off
• The toy has never been cleaned properly

1. [I]Carefully open a seam (usually at the back or bottom) with a seam ripper or scissors.[/I]
2. [I]Remove the old stuffing and discard it if it's musty, dirty, or clumped.[/I]
3. [I]Turn the fleece skin inside out, inspect for damage, then wash it inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag using cold or lukewarm water and gentle detergent.[/I]
4. [I]Air dry completely—inside out first, then right side out.[/I]
5. [I]Restuff with new hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill or similar (can be bought online or at craft stores).[/I]
6. [I]Sew shut using a hidden ladder stitch or backstitch for durability.[/I]

Sounds like a lot but if you stuffed your own VG, then you know this may in fact be pretty easy.

Hi mr bobby B .. that should be Bonny B 😁 , mr track use’s car upholstery cleaning foam , it don’t over wet drys overnight , smells ok/neutral .
But looking around the shops in town (he’s a Yorkshire man so it the £1 shop 😁) could not find , so he came back with carpet cleaning foam , on squirting it , it seems a bit thicker …….

Mr dongo will know , he buys the posh stuff for miss Nicole 😍

Carly xxx

Thanks Hanna, yes Coco is a travel version, so I can remove her stuffing, and re stuff her, I'm probably going to have to take some stuffing out of her for travelling as shes a big girl😁

I dont really want to put her through the washing machine though, as it might damage her eyes. I don't know if they are embroidered in or stuck on with glue.

Why Bonny B Carly? 🤔Yeah carpet cleaner or foam may be an idea. I don't have a lot of cash either.

I might have to visit, Poundland or Poundstretcher or even Savers the cheaper version of Superdrug, well its owned by them to see what I can find😁 cheers anyway👍

Well knowing Nicole, she will only have the best of the best.

I think we have some Woolite fabric conditioner in the cupboard, but it might be out of date and I don't know if you can use it after its sell by date🤔

If you have a wet and dry vacuum, you could use something like the carpet foam or no wet wonder foam and suck the suds out with the vac

This is my cleaning arsenal for tidying up my plush gals. Lint brush, vacuum, some upholstery cleaner and Febeze. 🧽
Of course Dhila has been known to take matters into her own hands. :ROFLMAO:

Blimey!😯 all this, just so I can have a wash and brush up🤔🤣🤣

Not a vacum, I dont like vacuum cleaners ours has a face on it and is called Henry😯

I wouldnt mind a nice clean with some nice smelling cleaner though and for Bobby to spend the day just giving me a nice brush massage😉

I certainly wouldn't go to those extremes of climbing in the washing machine. It doesn't look much like ours though Dhila 🤔

I like Febreze. Makes me smell like fresh washed linen and the vacuum tickles. :)

Please no vacuum cleaner, ours freaks me out 😯

Well I do have some posh looking body spray Truffle Cream it's called. It's supposed to belong to Thea, but I sometimes pinch it🤣🤣

A wipe dawn with Woolite and water on a damp cloth is what 8th wonder recommends for TBs.
Lately though I have been using Bubble Bath for the wipe down and bought some Oxi clean for the staines.
I haven't tried the Oxi clean yet but others who recommended it to me have had great success.

Well I think we may have some Woolite, but Bobby says it might not be in date, well i don't think I've got Staines, unless its Jaffa cakes, or BBQ sauce or ketchup, I probably need a bib🤣🤣

I couldnt say about other Staines🤔😯 at least one positive thing, I don't smell of tobacco, as Bobby vapes these days, so no stinky smell, but I guess when we get close he might pass his body smell on to my skin🤔 and he is always giving me a cuddle😍 sometimes skin to skin😯😉

If I were you, I would pass on using spray on crap on Coco. They might be fine for plushies that just sit or lay around. But that is not the impression that I get about Coco. Anyway, Just substitute "plushies" for "stuffed animals" and "you" for "children."

"Using upholstery cleaner on stuffed animals that children sleep with is not recommended—and can actually do more harm than good. These cleaners are made for furniture, not items that come into prolonged contact with a child’s face, skin, or mouth. Many contain harsh chemicals like fragrances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and preservatives that can irritate sensitive skin, trigger allergies or asthma, and leave behind harmful residues. Since children often cuddle, sleep on, or even chew their plush toys, any residue left behind can lead to unnecessary chemical exposure.

Spraying upholstery cleaner too heavily can make the situation even worse. Instead of cleaning the toy, it can push surface dirt, skin oils, perspiration, saliva, and other bodily fluids deep into the stuffing, where they become trapped. Over time, this can cause the buildup of bacteria, mildew, or even mold—creating an unhealthy environment right inside something your child snuggles every night. Bodily fluids that aren’t properly cleaned can also cause lingering odors and contribute to skin irritation or respiratory issues, especially in children with allergies or sensitivities.

Safer alternatives include hand washing with mild, fragrance-free detergent, machine washing if the toy is durable enough, or steam cleaning with no chemicals. These methods clean effectively without adding health risks. For a child’s safety and long-term well-being, it’s best to avoid upholstery cleaners entirely and choose gentle, toy-safe cleaning methods instead."

Keep in mind the above advisory does not go into other bodily fluids that might get on a stuffed animals and I presume that most children do not sleep naked with their stuffed animals either.

Everyone on this forum is an adult. It's your choice, your decision - just like smoking, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy diet, etc. Be informed and treat your body responsibly. After all, It's your life.
.fter
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Dhila wouldn't either, but Veronica dared her and said she wouldn't fit. Next thing you know Dhila was in the drum. Took 2 of us to get her great cushy bum unstuck from the agitator. :ROFLMAO:

Good advice, Hanna. Summer and Buffy don’t sleep with me but I did wonder how I might give them a freshen-up occasionally. I’ll probably get some gentle washing-up liquid and handwash them.

I don't think I'll use upholstery cleaner then. Thanks Hanna. Yeah I cuddle with Coco a lot, but I'm not into chewing her yet😯🤣🤣

I think Fabreeze is okay though. I spray it on my bed and sheets and clothes sometimes, it says it's okay to use on Teddy Bears and it's mainly water based

Dhila loves the stuff! 🥰


As for carpet and upholstery cleaner. I've been using it for years with no ill effects. Chemicals in them are no worse than those used to make synthetic fabric in the first place. I just use it occasionally as a spot cleaner though, not like anyone's going to bath their plush friend in it or scrub with merry abandon. For me, most of the time a lint brush, vac and damp cloth gets the job done. Then a spritz of Febreze or about a 5 to 1 ratio of water and fabric softener. Fabric softener does wonders for synthetic wigs as well. Especially those prone to frizz and static.

Why not take Coco down to the dry cleaners ,, just love to see the look on their face’s 😁