This is a small guide how to wash
a BIG plush (Plushlife)
After some time, a plush gets a bit dirty with all the handling and cuddling and needs to be washed. Some big plushies, including the featured Plushlife fox, are fitted with a zipper that makes washing so much easier. Open the zipper and remove the filling! If no zipper is fitted, consider fitting one, it makes washing so much easier in the future. If no zipper is fitted on your plush, you have have to open a seam to remove filling and then sow it back together. Smaller plushies that fit in the washing machine can be washed whole, but as you see in the picture below, this Plushlife Fox is way too big and needs to be emptied before washing.
Preparation:
You will need some place to store the filling, I find that a big box with a big plastic bag works best. This is the actual box and plastic bag that Plushlife delivers their plushies in, so it is a good idea to keep them for later use!
Remove the filling:
Open zipper, if present, or carefully cut a seam open. Pull out most or all of the filling. Put it in the box.
Half of the filling removed. Last time I washed the fox, I inserted a foam block (yoga pillow) to make a "spine" to help the fox keeping its shape.
Washing time!
All of the filling removed. Now it will fit in the washing machine! Do NOT forget to close the zipper! If your plush does not have a zipper, and you choose not to install one at this stage, stitch the opening together temporarily. There are some filling left inside the body, and it WILL find its way out and clog the filters and pumps in the washing machine!
Choose synthetic program and lower the temperature to below body temp, lower than 40c. I choose 30c here. Low temp is important as higher temperatures can damage the plastic fibers in the fur. Some materials can take higher temperatures, others can not. Do not take chances!
Centrifugal spinning is OK and dramatically shortens the drying time.Normal amount of detergent for the machine. Use fabric softener! It will make the fur softer, smoother and easier to brush after the washing.
Never use a tumble dryer! The heat can damage the fibers in the fur.
After washing, the fur will look like this, very tufty and ugly. Use a brush to untangle the fur and make it smooth. Brush while still moist. Brush several times during the drying. Some fur will come loose, that is normal. Inspect your plush for holes and other damages and repair them while it is unstuffed!
Refilling:
When refilling, start filling the head, paws and tail. Continue with the rest of the body. At this stage you can choose to re-use the old filling or replace with new, if the old is smelly, stained or otherwise destroyed. The filling can be washed as well, but make sure to pack it well so the fibers do not find their way out and destroy the washing machine. Washing bags can be used for this purpose.
Clean, re-stuffed and ready for cuddles!