How to Deodorize Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals and plush toys can pick up odors from innumerable sources, and even when they look clean they can harbor quite a stench. Washable stuffed animals will benefit from this foolproof method. Can’t toss your toys in the washing machine? See “Additional Tips” for more ideas.

If your stuffed toy can be washed, this is an easy way to deodorize and clean it at the same time.

You Will Need:

• Washing machine
• Baking soda
• Laundry detergent

Steps to Remove Odor:

1. Fill the washing machine with water. Stop the cycle when the water is full so you can soak the stuffed animal(s).
2. Pour ½ to one cup of baking soda in the water. Agitate water to mix.
3. Add stuffed animal(s) to the wash. If the animals have embellishments or require gentle washing, place them in a pillow case. If there are no embellishments or fragile areas, it should be fine just placing it in the washing machine as is.
4. Allow to soak overnight or for several hours.
5. Add laundry detergent and run the cycle.
6. If the odor seems to be gone at the end of the wash cycle and the toy is dryer safe, run through the dryer at least two cycles. This ensures the toy is dried all the way through, which will prevent mildew later.
7. If odor remains or the toy is not dryer safe, lay it out in the sun. The sun is a natural deodorizer.

If your stuffed toy cannot be washed, you can use this method to deodorize it instead.

You Will Need:

• A deodorizer:
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Activated charcoal
• A plate or bowl
• A box

Steps to Remove Odor:

1. Select a deodorizer from the list above.
2. Put a generous amount of the deodorizer on a plate or bowl.
3. Set the stuffed toy in a box or other small enclosed area and put the plate or bowl next to it.
4. Close the box and leave it closed for several hours or overnight.
5. If the odor is not removed when you open the box, replace the deodorizer with a fresh batch and close the box back up.
6. Repeat the process as many times as needed for the odor to be removed.

• If you can’t use the above methods, another option is to leave the toy in the sun for several hours. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, and the fresh air can also help to air it out. Just be sure not to leave it outside for too long or the colors might fade.
• White vinegar is another natural deodorizer that can be used if needed. Put an equal amount of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly coat the plush. Do not apply enough to soak the fur; just a light misting should do the trick.
• Sprinkling baking soda directly onto the stuffed animal and brushing it off later is an effective way to remove odors as well as to clean the fur, but baking soda is such a fine powder that it can be difficult to remove from the fur completely, so it is best not to do that on a toy that has dark colored fur or one that your child will be putting in their mouth.
• These cleaning methods are meant for cleaning Beanie Babies and other stuffed animals that are used as toys. However, if your Beanie Babies are collectibles, they will require more gentle cleaning to keep their tags and features in excellent condition. For these, see our guide How to Clean Beanie Babies.