SOLVED: How to get strong dog smell off soft toys?

[Icecrystalline]

Hi,
Need some advice please- got an amazing plush on ebay that is now quite rare, and he's arrived STINKING of strong dog, it's so unplesant It's not really a urine smell, it's more a just very strong, pungent smell. I own a cat, and she doesn't like the smell either! So, anyone got any advice of how to get rid of the smell? The plush is SURFACE WASHABLE, so should I handwash with gentle handwashing liquid?

Thank you in advance!

EDIT: I put Stitch in a shallow bath (probably only 20cm deep or so, maybe even less) and added Ecover Handwashing Liquid (I have it under my kitchen sink to soften frazzled by straightners pony hair!!) and mixed a capful around the bath water. I then put stitch in it, submerged him both sides, swilled him around in it, got a sponge and sponged water into his fur as well as putting some Dove body wash on his stomach, and he's drying off now. (5 sopping wet towels later and he still isn't entirely dry!!) He smells SO MUCH BETTER! He smells fresh, flowery and fragant. I'm honestly amazed how well it worked. I didn't go for Bi-carb as I was too worried about his colour, but gosh this actually worked!

[tulagirl]

Oh goodness well if you can't put it in the washer...what may be the problem is that the person's house has that odor and the plush will smell like their home.  Try a bounce sheet and a zip lock bag.  Stick him in it for a very long time.  The only thing is that the zip lock will be strong and he will have to air out from that too.  You could try sticking him outside for a day or more as sun is good but it can also bleach out the color so, keep an eye on it.  Also there might be something at the pet store that removes odors.  I am not sure if a surface wash will work since I suspect its also inside the fiberfill. Plushies pick up house odor worse than anything.  I am almost wondering if you hand wash that you use something safe for fabrics from the pet store that removes pet odor rather than trying soap and water.

Some people use that febreez and others recommend vinegar.  For me, if I get a plush I always wash it on gentle in a pillowcase.  I don't take any chances as they have so many germs on them.  You can't wash any stuffed animal that is nut filled though as that will ruin it.

[Icecrystalline]

Thank you so much Tula! I also read about the washing in a pillowcase an, vinegar and bi-carb things, and I think I'll go down the bi-carb route, seems gentle enough? I tried feebreeze, and sadly nothing changed, left it on for 2 hours. I forgot to mention this plush is 22" tall so ziplock baggies won't fit him sadly! Thanks again Tula, great suggestions, I'll definitely try them!

Post Merge: April 02, 2013, 08:29:34 AM

EDIT: Just contacted the Disney Store for advise since it was one of their products, perhaps they have a solution? Accidentally contacted the US store instead of the UK one, so I've forwarded the message to the UK store! Fingers crossed!

[skyrocketneko]

What exactly is it?  Some of them can be washed in the machine if you use a cold water wash on delicate.  Never put any plushie in the dryer though.

[Icecrystalline]

A 22" Plush Stitch. Disney store exclusive.
No, I don't think he can be put in the washer since it says 'surface washable' I'd be too scared of damaging him Thanks for your advice though!

[skyrocketneko]

Ahh, I usually don't pay attention to the labels. Dry clean only and surface washable only are overboard in 90% of cases, and I've done my fair share of testing. I just washed my "surface washable only" Disney Store Simba in the washer with no issues.  Unless they have bean bag type stuff in them, they're usually fine. Some of the really old plush you don't want to mess with though.

Totally up to you!  I don't have Stitch, but my other Disney ones are fine.  I do have a super fancy new washing machine though.

[Icecrystalline]

Ahh, I usually don't pay attention to the labels. Dry clean only and surface washable only are overboard in 90% of cases, and I've done my fair share of testing. I just washed my "surface washable only" Disney Store Simba in the washer with no issues.  Unless they have bean bag type stuff in them, they're usually fine. Some of the really old plush you don't want to mess with though.

Totally up to you!  I don't have Stitch, but my other Disney ones are fine.  I do have a super fancy new washing machine though.

Ah that sounds interesting, I'm tempted to try, although our washing machine is about 8/10 years old Hmmm... Might give it a go depending on the reply I get from DS.... Thank you though, thats definitely encouraged me!

[kaoskat]

You could try giving him a baby wipe bath, or even use a deoderizing pet wipe. That may help.

[Stormy31685]

I have a few of these types of stuffies for my son, and I always put them in a pillowcase (tie the end) and put them in the cold cycle and dry them on the delicate cycle with low heat.  They come out sparkling clean and brand new.  And they had major stains on them, too.  Those came right out.

Best of luck to you!

[flyawayraven]

I have a few of these types of stuffies for my son, and I always put them in a pillowcase (tie the end) and put them in the cold cycle and dry them on the delicate cycle with low heat.  They come out sparkling clean and brand new.  And they had major stains on them, too.  Those came right out.

Best of luck to you!

I highly recommend the pillow case method.

Also, I don't know if it's available in the UK, but Arm & Hammer makes a bi-carb (or baking soda as us Yanks call it :p) based laundry detergent that is great for taking out strong smells.

Hope that helps!

[Icecrystalline]

Thanks so much for suggestions everyone!

EDIT: I put Stitch in a shallow bath (probably only 20cm deep or so, maybe even less) and added Ecover Handwashing Liquid (I have it under my kitchen sink to soften frazzled by straightners pony hair!!) and mixed a capful around the bath water. I then put stitch in it, submerged him both sides, swilled him around in it, got a sponge and sponged water into his fur as well as putting some Dove body wash on his stomach, and he's drying off now. (5 sopping wet towels later and he still isn't entirely dry!!) He smells SO MUCH BETTER! He smells fresh, flowery and fragant. I'm honestly amazed how well it worked. I didn't go for Bi-carb as I was too worried about his colour, but gosh this actually worked!