Stuffed teddy bears
A successful collector of stuffed teddy bears knows how
to care for and make them last. Preserving it for posterity is probably
not the first thing on children’s minds so it’s up to parents
to try to take care of the bears or teach children how to. Here are
a few simple ways to keep bears looking their best:
• Inspect – It is always important to
inspect stuffed teddy bears before they are cleaned. If there are any
rips or tears take care of these before the bear is washed. More exterior
damage can be caused when the bear is washed. After the bear is sewn
or stitched, the person doing the cleaning should be especially careful
around these spots.
• Vacuum – One of the best ways to get
debris off of old stuffed teddy bears is to vacuum them with a vacuum
hose. By vacuuming a bear, the loose dirt or debris can be sucked off.
However, when this is done, it is important that the vacuum has adjustable
settings. If the vacuum remains on the highest setting, there is a good
chance that it will damage the seams or the fur on the bear.
• Use white washcloths – A white wash
cloth should be used to wipe down teddy bears. The best way to wash
stuffed teddy bears is to only use water. If soap is used, it will likely
leave a residue on the bear that will be hard to remove.
• Don’t use the washing machine –
The violent twisting and spinning action of a washing machine runs the
risk of severely damaging stuffed teddy bears. This is particularly
true of older stuffed teddy bears.