You have finally found the perfect stuffed friend or security blanket for your newborn baby. He sleeps with it, clings to it in his stroller and carseat and lovingly bits on its ear or tail constantly.  Then – tragedy-”stuff happens”. The favorite plush toy is covered with ( you know what I am talking about). What do you do? If you were smart enough to buy a second back up security blanket or plush stuffed animal , it is a simple switch when the baby is sleeping to introduce the new product. But if there is no second one, all is not lost.

Most security blankets are washable. Wait unil your baby is sleeping and then substitute another soft security blanket while you throw this one in the wash. Distract baby when he awakes until the security dries.  Even easy going kids may suffer a melt down, while they stand by the washer or dryer waiting for their favorite friend to emerge unharmed.

Stuffed toys are another story. Do not wash them in the washing machine.Most of them cannot be thrown in the washer and dryer without ruining their softness and destroying their stuffing.

Minnie Mouse is a favorite stuffed toy

Here are the cleaning tips from the baby toy expert BABY GUND

Surface Wash Instructions: Many companies have a mild wash- Gund sells a Teddy Bear Bath

• Do NOT immerse toy in water
• Remove all accessories from stuffed toy
• First test cleanser on small area of toy surface
• With a clean cloth and tepid water, lightly blot affected area using mild
  detergent or Teddy Bear Bath
• Repeat blotting using tepid water to rinse detergent from toy surface
• In the folds of a clean towel, squeeze stuffed toy several times to remove
  excess moisture
• Allow to air dry in the sun if possible
• Once dry, stuffed toy surface may be fluffed and brushed
• Repeat as necessary.