Cleaning Vintage Soft Toys

[starrypawz]

Today I went down the carboot and managed to get a really good deal, on a vintage Lady and a vintage Tramp soft toy. And well they're rather grimy so they need cleaning.

How should I go about this?
My mum has told me to to basically put them in the bath with washing detergant and get them really scrubbed up. But I'm not so sure about properly soaking them, although they could do with a proper clean.


I know if they were more modern plush toys I could get away with throwing them in the washing machine. But these are ones from I think 60s/70s.

[Dewprincess]

I would do the same thing with toy in pillowcase, but I'd set the wash cycle to delicate.

[starrypawz]

I would do the same thing with toy in pillowcase, but I'd set the wash cycle to delicate.

Hmmm, yeah that's what I've done with some carebears/other plush plus a vintage popple. But I think I'll try washing by hand first.

[melodys_angel]

the pillowcase will protect the eyes and nose from getting scratched and the gentle cycle should ensure nothing matted happens <3

[Rainsong]

I always found the bigger threat for matting fur-type plus on stuffed animals was the dryer. My cure for that was to run the dryer till it was nice and warm, then turn it to air dry and stick the pillow-case wrapped plushes in and run it with now heat.

[kaoskat]

I'd go with the pillowcase trick myself. I hope you can get them clean!

[kiwimlp]

I have a modern Lady and Tramp couple and I adore them.  Good luck cleaning yours up!

[Eviecorn]

I wouldn't soak them.  I'd either wash them on a short delicate cycle in a pillowcase or gently handwash them in the sink with dish soap.