Take a needle and thread that’s as close to the color of the animal as you can get. Thread the needle and tie a knot at one end of the thread. Starting at one end of the rip, push the needle up through the underside of the rip to lock the thread in place on the underside of the fabric. Then use the needle to push the thread from the material on one side of the rip to the other in a straight line. Move down and make another stitch. Continue making slip stitches like this until the rip is repaired. [1] X Research source Don’t forget to sew and secure eyes, bows, and other features back on if they’ve fallen off.
Place several medium to large sized stuffed animals in a large garbage bag. Insert the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner into the bag and seal the bag around the nozzle. Turn on the vacuum cleaner and let it suck out all the air, dust, and dirt. [2] X Research source When you’re finished, you may need to re-fluff the animals if the stuffing has lost some shape in the process. To vacuum smaller toys, hold them in your hand and use a nozzle attachment of the appropriate size to suck up dirt and dust.
For machine washable toys, place individual animals in mesh laundry bags or stuff them into pillow cases to protect them from snags. Wash them on the delicate or hand wash cycle if it’s available, and use a mild detergent and cold water. [3] X Research source To hand wash animals, fill a sink with cool water and add one tablespoon (15 ml) of mild laundry detergent. Immerse the toy in the water and gently agitate the water and rub the fur to remove dirt. Rinse in a fresh sink of clean water to remove the excess detergent. [4] X Research source To clean animals with baking soda, place one animal at a time in a plastic bag or pillow case. Depending on the size of the animal, use one tablespoon (15 g) to one-quarter cup (60 g) of baking soda to cover the animal with a light dusting. Close the bag and give it a good shake. Let the animal sit in the baking soda for half an hour, and then use a damp towel to wipe off dirt and excess baking soda. [5] X Research source
Hang them on a clothesline in the sun. This is ideal for all toys, but it’s especially important for older toys that may be flammable and can’t go in the dryer. Let them air dry on a towel. Make sure you turn them over periodically so the air can reach all the sides. Be sure the animals are completely dry before storing them. Put dryer-safe animals in the dryer. Use a low-heat setting and add a few towels to the load to help protect the animals from the tumbling.
Acid-free paper can be purchased from library suppliers, online, or at most craft stores.
You can further prevent mold and mildew problems by storing the bins in a dry location. To prevent damage and crushed fur, don’t overstuff the bins.
Be sure to dust and rearrange toys often when they’re displayed like this, as dust, dander, and allergens settle quickly on immobile toys. If you have multiple shelves, put your child’s least favorite toys on the upper shelves, and her favorite toys lower down where she can reach them.
For a small animal pen, you can use a large basket with wide spaces between the bars. For a quick DIY animal zoo, take the shelves out of a bookcase and tie string or twine horizontally or vertically around the bookcase like bars. Fill the bookcase with stuffed animals and position the twine to keep them in place.
Most toy hammocks work best when they are suspended in corners, and from three separate hooks (one on each adjoining wall and one near the corner).
For the clothesline itself, you can use yarn, string, or twine. Make sure you hang the line somewhere that your child won’t accidentally run into it.
Because this method can squish and misshape stuffing, don’t use vacuum bags for precious stuffed animals or antique plush toys, as they could be damaged by the process.
One box of two-inch screws One box of three-inch screws 15 screw eyes A 40-foot length of rope A drill Six pieces of sanded wood that are 12 inches long and 2 ½ by ¾ inches Five front railings that are 32 inches long and 2 ½ by ¾ inches One piece of fascia that’s 32 inches long and 8 by ¾ inches
Once you’ve pre-drilled the holes, attach the front railing to the bottom of the pillars with the two-inch screws. Repeat these same steps with a front railing at the very center of the pillars. At the top of the pillars, attach the piece of fascia. [17] X Research source
Once you have the 12-inch boards attached on either side of the back panel, attach the front panel to the 12-inch boards using the three-inch screws.
Once the holes are drilled, screw in the hooks.
Run the rope through the center hook on the same side panel, then through the top hook. Thread the rope across the top side railing and then run it down through the first hook on the fascia, followed by the hook on the center railing below, then the hook on the bottom railing below that. Then run the rope across to the middle set of hooks and repeat. Repeat these steps until you have three sets of bars across the center panel and one set of bars on each side panel. When you’ve finished running the rope, cut the excess and tie a knot in the end to secure it in place.
