Cleaning Plushes with Fake Fur - Care Bear Lion

[gabumon]

Hi There!

I found a Brave Heart Lion Carebear plush earlier at a yard sale.  He's my favorite, (though Bright Heart Raccoon is a close second), Carebear cousin.

But I'm not sure how to clean him up.  We washed him in the laundry, and he's clean now, but his fake fur mane is just AWFUL!  clumpy and nasty.  "spikey"?   

Any help on how to fix that?   His plush fur is also matted and clumpy.   Sort of wishing I didn't wash him at all now.... 

[Elisto]

I've heard you shouldn't wash plushies in the washer, but I always do...

I've brushed the fur out afterwards, and I read somewhere about someone going over the whole thing with a fine-tooth comb (against the direction of the fur?) to fluff it up again.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Yep, gently use a pet grooming comb to fluff it up.  The hair is aggravating when it gets all matted but you can somewhat get it untangled if you are patient. 

[xeevee]

I always find just throwing care bears into a pillow case and then into the wash is the best thing to do.  They get really clean, and their fur fluffs up, and I personally have never had a negative happen (I have had with MLPs).  I have even done that with a Lionheart, and he looked great.

[Dainty]

Yeah, in the future put them in a pillow case! I've always hand washed plushes, though, and use carpet cleaner for really dirty spots.
You should be able to brush everything out with a wire pet brush though :--)

[gabumon]

Thanks everyone!  I might try washing again in a pillowcase.

By "grooming comb" do you mean one with metal spines that's a brush or a single row comb?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I typically use the metal spined one but that's so I don't snag anything plastic against the hair.

[kaoskat]

Yeah gentle brushing it out is your best bet.

[andibgoode]

I think washing machines are fine depending on what they're stuffed with, correct?

I even just use one of those plastic fishtail combs to fluff them up a little. It worked well with a Sylvester plush I've had for years (though he's a bit matted again as I might cuddle him too much...)

I always loved Braveheart Lion, too