How to Care for Your Teddy Bear

Teddy Bears are often given on special occasions and they help mark significant events in our life. Whether we received all of our Teddy Bears as children or are still fortunate enough to receive Teddy Bears as adults, the care of one of these beloved stuffed animals will help to determine its life span and how well the Teddy Bear will hold up over time. There is nothing more disappointing than pulling out your favourite childhood stuffed bear only to find that he has become the bedding for a chilly mouse.
Most Teddy Bears can withstand being cleaned. However, any Teddy Bear that has been made by hand should never go into the washing machine. It’s not necessarily the best option for most of today’s plush animals as the results tend to be hit or miss. Rather, using a cold water wash in the sink carries a much greater likelihood that the dirt and odors collected over the years are removed without damaging the Teddy Bear’s overall integrity. Using a mild soap designed for gentle fabrics is highly recommended.
Drying a Teddy Bear is a whole other story. You shouldn’t toss them in the dryer unless they specify that they can tolerate it on their tag. Because of their plush thickness, it doesn’t seem like allowing a teddy bear to air dry is a good idea. However, most stuffed plush bears will dry within two days when left in a well ventilated area. The slow internal drying process can encourage the growth of mould, however, and so it is not most people’s first choice. So what is one to do?
If your Teddy Bear will dry within two days, there is no concern for mould growth. However, some Teddy Bears have been known to remain damp in certain conditions for over a week. A mild setting on the hair dryer can help accelerate the drying process and reduce the risk of mould growth. Placing a Teddy in the sun for his drying session will likely result in fading that can ruin his dapper looks. Sometimes teddies will stiffen after a good bath, and a hair dryer session followed by a brushing can restore them to their original good looks.
If you are simply maintaining your Teddy Bears, you can give them a good, thorough vacuuming in order to remove loose dirt and use a spot clean technique on any areas of soil. Vacuuming removes the dust and dander that can get trapped in fabric while you significantly reduce the risk of stiffening, mould, and fading.
Storing Teddy Bears should be done carefully. Wrapping them in bubble wrap can help protect them from the mouths of moths and rodents. A storage chest is highly preferable to the traditional cardboard box. Moth balls are effective at keeping away the moths as well as the rodents but can leave your Teddies rather unpleasantly perfumed if you have not wrapped them to safeguard them from the aroma. However, if you are looking to store or wash a rare or particular old or antique bear, seek out a professional service to ensure that your little guys will be safe and sound throughout the entire process.
Paul Lakeman- AKA Funkybearman runs a well established online Bear store www.funkybears.com