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.

Bathe Them Regularly

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

Now and then, a stuffed animal does get a tear. Usually you can correct any of their mending needs with a needle and matching thread. Over the years though, the stuffing may become a little too worn out and might require some new stuffing put in. When this happens, cut along the biggest seam and remove the old fur, then stuff it with new fur and reseal.

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!

Even if you’re an adult, you shouldn’t just treat your stuffed animals like decoration. If you have kids, you’ve got a great excuse to pull out the stuffed animals and put on a little play or use them to tell some jokes or what have you. A stuffed animal’s value is defined by how much care and love you put into them. If it’s been awhile, you may feel a little silly at first, but actually CARING for these little guys is a big part of, well, taking care of them.

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