cleaning soft baby toys

[andimae]

Does anyone have any tips on how to clean soft baby toys? Can you put them in the washer even though most tags say not to?

I just pulled out a box of all the soft baby toys that I had saved from when my toddler was a baby. I was planning on using them for my new little one and was really sad to find that the entire box smells super musty/moldy- a few of the toys even have a little mold on them. I'm not sure how that happened b/c I thought everything was dry when I packed them away...

Anyway, is there any hope of getting them clean enough that I would feel safe using them with a baby, or should I just toss them?

[sunanthem]

You know, I just tried this the other day; my kids stuffed animals were getting funky... so I put them in the wash on "delicates" with some natural washing powder, and put them in the dryer on some light cycle; they came out fine. Some things with tufted hair and stuff do get a little matted, but they looked soo good clean!

[hubris]

If they smell moldy, I'd at least try to soak them - either in the sink or the washing machine. Using the dryer to dry them would probably help them dry faster so they don't re-mold. Then see how they came out. (crossing fingers for you)

If they don't wash up well and have to be trashed, at least you tried, right? As it is, if they smell moldy, you'd probably end up trashing them anyway.

[momto l&a]

I've always put them in the washer. They come out just fine.

[andimae]

Thank you! I had the same thought this morning- that it is worth a shot putting them through the wash and if it doesn't work, oh well. Especially if the alternative is to just toss them.

Anyways, thanks again for responding!

[milopup]

If the soft toys are not obviously dirty, I just spray them with some vinegar and distilled water to clean them/de-germ them. Not sure if that is the best way though....

[KariM]

I always wash them in the washing machine and dry them on low heat. If they make it through we have nice clean toys. If they don't - well, they were dirty enough that I didn't want the kids playing with them anyway.

[milopup]

I have washed the soft toys in the past (try to give each one at least one machine wash) - often the squeakers and bells/rattles dont work afterwards. Maybe it is the drying cycle?

[reducereuserecycle]

i always put them in the washer.

[jenerationx]

I put them in the washer, too.

[andimae]

Thanks for all your advice everyone! I tried washing them in the washing machine and it worked great! I guess you don't always have to pay attention to what the labels say...