Do you have any idea on how to get mildew smell out of stuffed animals? Well, if you are clueless about it, this article is a great help.
Anyone would agree that every child loves stuffed animals. More than that, there are so many things that these stuffed animals have witnessed as a child grows.
For kids, a stuffed animal is like a person they can talk to, seek comfort, and play with. In fact, a part of a child’s development was accompanied by stuffed animals or any other plushies where children had formed a special bond that paved the way for a happy childhood.
However, would it still be happy if this mold and mildew started to smell on your child’s stuffed animal? While if you are thinking of disposing of the smelly stuffed animal right away, read this article first for smart tips.
Can Mildew Grow On Stuffed Animals?
In your home, there are numerous possibilities of mold and mildew growth if not cleaned and maintained. From walls, ceilings, and surfaces to appliances, furniture, and any other things, mold and mildew can thrive.
Knowing that, your stuffed animals are not exempted from the wrath of mold and mildew for various reasons. Mold and mildew typically grow in organic materials, and with the type of materials used in stuffed animals, it is enough to support mildew growth.
While these uninvited guests could impose health risks, it’s particularly unsafe for young children. It may be a danger to your child’s health as it contains toxins usually found in fungi which are commonly linked to respiratory sickness.
Therefore, it is crucial for parents to look over the situation of their kids and the condition of their stuffed animals. Parents should also be vigilant with the smell of stuffed animals to determine if mildew thrives on them.
Removing Mildew Smell From Stuffed Animals
When you notice that your child’s stuffed animals are producing mildew-like smells, it is best that you perform these two easy steps.
Step #1. Washing
The most convenient way to clean stuffed animals is through washing. Either way, you may put the stuffed animals in the washing machine and run a series of cycles or hand-wash them to prevent the damage that the washing machine may cause.
Using warm water would help kill mildew spores which causes the smell. Also, it would be best if you did not forget to use only mild color-safe bleach to maintain the quality of your child’s stuffed animals.
Adding ½ or 1 cup of white vinegar while wash cycles also helps kill mildew spores. Though it is optional, white vinegar is recommended rather than yellowish vinegar to prevent discoloration or vinegar stain.
After a series of wash cycles, it is essential to rinse the stuffed animals thoroughly to eradicate bleach spots and residues. After that, wring as much moisture as possible for easy sun drying.
Step #2. Sun drying
Instead of using a dryer to dry up washed stuffed animals, sun drying is the best and natural alternative. In fact, the benefits of sun drying are sustainable and energy efficient, unlike a dryer that emits too much heat, which may damage the fabric.
Since the problem you face is mildew smell from stuffed animals, sunlight could ideally kill mold and mildew. Aside from that, it gives off natural freshness and conditioner, which is good resource conservation.
With that, you should take advantage of sunlight and let it do the job. Just clip-hang stuffed animals and you can relax.
Additional tips
Other than those mentioned above, you would also want to use essential oil and baking soda to eliminate the mildew smell from stuffed animals. Mainly, this instruction is best for non-washable stuffed animals.
- Prepare the needed materials like baking soda, essential oil, towel, and Ziploc bag. For essential oils, tea tree oil and lavender are the best that you can use.
- Place enough baking soda inside the bag and add a few drops of essential oil. Baking soda can absorb the mildew odor and essential oil acts as an antibacterial agent.
- Put the stuffed animal inside the bag, then shake it until it is covered with baking soda. Make sure to lock the bag while letting it sit for about 1 hour for better results.
- Lastly, you may now remove the stuffed animal from the bag then wipe off baking soda residues on the stuffed animal using a towel.
With those easy instructions, you don’t have to worry anymore about the mildew smell and for the welfare of your kids. For more health-care tips, you should read “how to get mildew smell out of towels” or know “how to get mildew smell out of blanket.”
Conclusion
A healthy home is indeed a happy home. There is nothing more important than ensuring our family’s health and continuously learning health care tips.
Just like this article, this gave you knowledge on how to get mildew smell out of stuffed animals. Definitely, the cleaning methods and further tips would be beneficial for parents to ensure their child’s health.