Mice

[ringlets_]

So I had to put most of my collection in storage.  Most of the stuff was in totes.  I had a few boxes, but there was only one that I really didn't want the mice to get into.  Guess which was the only box they got into....the G3 plush.
 
Damage wasn't too bad but did have to toss a couple.  (One looked like it had a run-in with the creatures from Aliens)
 
What is a good way to wash plush G3? 
 
Most of them are the crane toys or yarn hair kind.  I was planning on going to the laundromat and tossing them in different loads by each color type using Woolite detergent, a color catcher sheet, and a mesh laundry bag - then hang them up to dry at home.  Any other suggestions?
 
Also there are a couple with the battery box inside that can't go in the wash, so is there a good disinfecting spray I can use on them?
 
Thanks!

[teresat]

I don't know if there is a difference between a mesh bag or a pillow case but if I wash stuffed animals I tie them in a pillow case.

Not sure how good Lysol or the like would be for stuffed animals.

[Oneleo1]

No fun Bad mice!

I am not a plushie expert, but I hope you can clean the ones you need to without too much fuss

[ZettaMomo]

Ouch. You might want to go through and try and prevent mice from coming back. Try and look for any holes that you might find and stuff some steel wool in there. A few years back we were getting mice and we stuffed some steel wool in the hole and they haven't been coming back since.
I've also heard that the scent of peppermint scares mice away. You could put some peppermint oil on some cotton balls and but them in the totes. Or take some peppermint candy, crush it up, and wrap it in nylons. I've also heard mothballs help, but I think the scent of peppermint would be more pleasing.

As for cleaning them I agree that you should put them in a pillow case and then wash them. Hanging them up to dry like you mentioned should be good too. Putting them in the dryer can mess them up.
As for the ones with batteries you can try wetting down a towel and using it to clean them. I'm not too sure what to suggest to clean them with, but make sure to double check that it doesn't have any bleach in it. A few companies make cleaning sprays just for pet orders, that might be a good one to try out.

[sabathamk]

I also vouch for pillowcases.  I don't ever put plushes in the dryer either. 

We had mice get into my stuff too.  Stupid things, left all the bought plushes alone but chewed holes all through my handmade bunny I got from my mom as a little girl.  I cried. 

[Wilford B Wolf]

actualy being a bit of a country boy...i know how to deal with mice......scented dryer sheets.....i know sounds stupid but the smell drives rodent noses NUTS they cant stand to be neer the stuff..however..the scent useualy only lasts a year tops....ive got plenty of relitives out in the woods who keep a box of dryer sheets oner theyer seat and 1 in the trunk...keeps the mice away

stuffing hoels with steel wool is WONDERFULL but stuff it with dryer sheets first

i recently lost some of my EARLY first run beenie ponys due to mice...cause i forgot to dryersheet the place

[Gingerbread]

You can get specialist odour neutralisers, I would water that down and use it on the plushies you can't wash along with an antibacterial spray. Good luck on getting them sorted

[Fezzy]

You can use woolite as a surface wash too, it's how I've cleaned up my second-hand plushies

[Aurora]

If they have a smell, will putting them in the freezer help? Dry, not wet, though a frozen plushie is always good for a giggle! If it's really bad, you could try putting them in a bag with some baking soda. That might mean you'll have to wash them again to get the baking soda off, but hey, no stink!
I'm so sorry about the horrors of mice- my husband informed me this morning that there's a Mouse Boom going on right now. MOUSE BOOM!
You might also consider taking them to a professional cleaner, especially if they are sentimental or valuable. Heck, you might just stop by and ask them if they have any advice on cleaning a plushie- they may be willing to give you a few pointers.
Some of the crane toys I got have that weird chunky filling, I don't know how that would do in a washing machine- every time I touch them I imagine that the stuff inside is just paper.
You could also look at other sites online for advice washing plushes- I'm sure there's a site out there somewhere!
Good luck, Ringlets! Did you check all the other boxes for signs of mice? We had a flood a few summers ago and I thought I had everyone safe- if I had checked more closely I might have been able to save myself the trouble of de-grossing some of my ponies.

[partypony566]

I don't know if there is a difference between a mesh bag or a pillow case but if I wash stuffed animals I tie them in a pillow case

Same here Best of luck cleaning them! *shoos away the mice*

[MsTwilight]

I sell a ton of plush on ebay and I always tie them within a pillow case and put them in the washer on delicate. Nanco plush have their tails and manes sewn down with a couple small stitches and they always seem to come undone on a regular cycle. I also like to let the really bad ones soak overnight.

I also recommend using Gain detergent. The scent lasts for a long time and I've had the best cleaning results with it. Borax is another great thing to add. I take a nail brush and some Borax with Gain on it to the stains. It brings them right out.

Like Wilford said... Dryer sheets in the storage tubs help. I don't have a box anywhere with a Gain dryer sheet in it! They do keep the mice away and help the plush from getting that stale smell.
Good luck!

[teresat]

Oh I forgot, putting them outside in the sun can help disinfect too. But I only do that for the stuffed animals who don't matter if their colors fade.

[Jinxxy]

If it's a really big plushie you might not be able to dry it. I have a few super big plushies and I unstuff them quite a bit to make sure they dry.
For ponies I'd wash them in a pillowcase. If you unstuff they can line dry their "skin"

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Mice don't like the smell of cedar.  Perhaps a baggie of cedar chips with your ponies as well as some of those silica packets to absorb moisture? 

[hathorcat]

actualy being a bit of a country boy...i know how to deal with mice......scented dryer sheets.....i know sounds stupid but the smell drives rodent noses NUTS they cant stand to be neer the stuff..however..the scent useualy only lasts a year tops....ive got plenty of relitives out in the woods who keep a box of dryer sheets oner theyer seat and 1 in the trunk...keeps the mice away

stuffing hoels with steel wool is WONDERFULL but stuff it with dryer sheets first

i recently lost some of my EARLY first run beenie ponys due to mice...cause i forgot to dryersheet the place

Thats a great tip! For anti mice conditions in general!

And as others have said I was anything plush-like in a pillow case on a low temperature and of course no tumble dryer just a nice natural dry. Hopefully any fabric conditioner you use in your washing machine should deal with any smell issues.