Stuffed animals are more than just something you can treat like decoration for your bed. Stuffed animals are sort of sponges for sentiment. It takes a true cynic to be able to look at a teddy bear or a sock monkey and not feel a touch of empathy for the little guy. Technically, it’s just cloth and stuffing, but to the child in all of us, stuffed animal care takes more than just regular washing.

As with keeping any pet, stuffed or not, you can’t be a responsible plush animal owner without actually putting in the time and energy to give your animals everything they deserve. You need to keep them clean, you need to keep them happy, and you need to keep them fed… Well, clean and happy, at least.

Regular Baths

You have to give your stuffed animals regular baths. Now when you do this, the idea is not to shrink them or damage them in any way. You don’t need to get them dry cleaned or anything, but use caution. Don’t just throw them in with your shirts, give them their own wash cycle with cold water to prevent shrinking and color safe detergents. Some stuffed animals are dryer-safe, but you may want to take a blow dryer to them yourself to make sure they don’t get any mildew in their stuffing.

Mending Them

Every once in awhile, you’re going to have to take your little buddy and do a few minor repairs. Just keep a little needle and various colors of thread handy so you can patch up little rips and tears. If you have to replace the old, battered stuffing, cut one of the bigger seams and pull the old stuff out and put the new stuff in, then reseal it nice and tight.

Storing Them

If you ever have to tuck your little guys away somewhere, just make sure to put them somewhere they’ll be safe. You can put them all in a bag if you like so long as you store that bag indoors. If you have to store them outside in a tool shed or something, put them in a plastic, sealable tub, and make sure they stay nice and dry and cool. They’re very susceptible to moisture and mildewing, and even to moths, so just be sure to keep them somewhere where they’re safe from the elements.

Play With Them!

A stuffed animal that doesn’t get any love is just a pillow with arms and legs. If you want your little buddies to have value, the truth is that they only have as much value as you put into them. So make sure to play with them from time to time, don’t just put them on your bed and leave them there. Take care of them and CARE for them.

It’s a fact that stuffed animals care takes more than mere regular washing. Check out our online guide to jumbo plush care for the ultimate inside skinny .