Machine and hand wash of anti-stress pillows and toys

An anti-stress toy is not only a colorful children's toy, but also an excellent opportunity to relax for an adult. Due to the fact that such toys are often handled, they get dirty much faster than teddy bears and bunnies. Therefore, after a few months, housewives begin to look for an answer to the question - how to wash anti-stress toys. Washing features depend on the filler, the fabric and the washing mode - we’ll talk about this in detail later.

Difficulties in washing anti-stress toys

Not all anti-stress toys can be washed in the usual way. The cleaning process depends on the type of filler. It could be:

1. Siliconized synthetic fluff is a fiber twisted and curled into balls. This filler is considered universal for filling pillows and soft toys. It does not roll up, does not lose its shape, with it the product remains suitable for use for a long time, and washing and drying does not cause difficulties.
2. Foamed polystyrene balls are a material suitable for stuffing toys, pillows, and furniture. With it, the products are light and soft. Washing is carried out quickly and without problems, since the high air content in the balls (up to 98%) makes them invulnerable to water.
3. Polyester fillers (sintepon, holofiber). The materials hold their shape, are resistant to external influences, and are not afraid of moisture.
4. Natural fillers: buckwheat husk, flax. When making anti-stress products yourself, different grains are used: peas, lentils, buckwheat, rice. Washing such things is a problem. Natural fillers quickly moisten, take a long time to dry, and if moisture gets in, the product can become deformed and become unusable.

Toys and pillows with artificial fibers can even be washed in a washing machine, following certain rules. If the filler is natural, cleaning is difficult.

Drying toys

Drying is allowed exclusively natural. If you have a fashionable machine with a drying function, leave this feature for other things, and dry the anti-stress product in the fresh air so that it does not become deformed. Polystyrene balls do not absorb moisture, so you need to dry one cover. Drying tips:

• Dry the toy horizontally, straightening it out.
• Drying place: a balcony or courtyard (in the shade) is best.
• Do not dry anti-stress toys in the sun, and especially not on a radiator!
• Before sending the item to dry, shake it to distribute the filler.
• Do not wring out the toy if you washed it by hand - just squeeze it lightly so that some of the water spills out in the bathroom and not on your balcony. Dry the toy with a bath towel - this will remove excess moisture.

Anti-stress toy washing products

Traditional granular powder for washing anti-stress toys will not work. The temperature of the water at which dirt is removed from such products does not allow the detergent particles to completely dissolve. Clogging between the filler balls, they can cause allergies, dermatitis in children, and disruption of the immune system, kidneys and liver.

For anti-stress toys, detergents should be liquid or gel. They cope with dirt even in cold water, do not leave stains or streaks, and are classified as products for delicate washing.

Compared to bulk detergents, the cost of liquid laundry detergents is higher, but the consumption of gel is on average 3 times less.

Attention! Baking soda (NaHCO3) is considered a safe, hypoallergenic laundry detergent. It can be used for wet or dry washing instead of powder.

Models with wool: what are they good for?

The material that fills the anti-stress accessory can be natural. Some manufacturers use buckwheat hulls or wool. When choosing such products, it is worth considering that they are significantly more expensive, which is explained by the high cost of the filler. In addition, such models require special delicate care, since otherwise the pillow may become deformed and lose some of its useful characteristics.

You will probably be interested in learning how to make a blanket from pompoms with your own hands.

. Anti-stress accessories filled with wool are quite popular. This product will be especially comfortable and useful for people suffering from:

• rheumatism;
• arthrosis;
• arthritis.

Also, such models are great for those who have problems with the throat and nose, since camel hair is an excellent preventive measure due to its high lanolin content. The anti-stress accessory delicately and effectively massages the collar area, thereby relieving tension from the back and calming headaches. Since wool is processed with modern equipment, the material is devoid of a specific odor. As a result, the model cannot provoke allergies and is not able to accumulate static electricity.

Heart pillow

How to properly wash toys in a washing machine?

It is preferable to wash products with synthetic fillers in a washing machine: this way there is less chance of spoiling the internal contents. If a pillow or toy is filled with cereal, flax or buckwheat hulls, it should not be wetted. Washing is carried out only if the filler is first removed.

Preparing for washing

Before putting the product into the machine, you must:

1. Check the label for markings indicating how to care for the product. The symbols will help you determine whether the pillow is machine washable. If there are no instructions, determine the type of filler.
2. If the toy is soft to the touch, the “balls” cannot be felt, the filling is padding polyester or holofiber. Before washing, it is necessary to carry out a test: squeeze the product, or press it down with a weight. If, after external exposure, it takes on its original shape within 5 seconds, you can safely wash it. Otherwise, fluff vigorously before and after washing.
3. If the product contains natural filler, it cannot be washed. It is necessary to make a small cut along the seam line and remove the contents. Only machine wash fabric that has husks (cereals) in it. As a rule, products with natural ingredients have a trim and pillowcase. You should check the toy for a lock. The casing with filling is easy to get out by unzipping the zipper.
4. If you wash an anti-stress pillow in a fabric bag, if the fabric accidentally ruptures, the polystyrene balls will not scatter throughout the machine.
5. It is recommended to treat severe stains with soap and leave for half an hour before putting the item in the machine.

Note! If you decide to wash a toy with filling in the machine, you should carefully check the integrity of the outer upholstery. If there are defects on the fabric, polystyrene beads or fibers of other synthetic fillers can get out and ruin things and interfere with the operation of the machine.

Washing temperature

Temperatures up to 40˚С are considered universal for anti-stress toys . You can use hotter water if this is indicated on the product label with the symbol:

The circle indicates the temperature from 30˚C to 95˚C. The product must be washed at a temperature not higher than specified. The exception is 95˚C above 0, which means boiling is possible.

Washing mode

The machine should be turned on to the “delicate” or “manual” mode. Low speeds allow you to wash items efficiently without damaging their appearance.

The product label may contain one of the signs indicating which washing mode is preferable:

Since there is a high probability that the soap component will remain inside the toy, it is recommended to use an additional rinse mode.

How to dry toys correctly?

Toys and anti-stress pillows must be dried, adhering to the following rules:

• Level it on a horizontal surface. This applies to all anti-stress products, regardless of the type of filler. If the surface is large and there is a lot of moisture inside, you can place the item on several ropes located in the same plane.
• Natural fillers should be dried separately in the sun, after being poured onto a horizontal surface.
• Items with padding polyester should be turned over regularly and thoroughly beaten to prevent the filler from clumping.
• It is recommended to dry in a well-lit and ventilated area.

Attention! For anti-stress products, spinning is not allowed. It is allowed to slightly squeeze the surface, but do not twist it.

DIY anti-stress pillows

You can make your own anti-stress massager.

For this you will need

Decide what shape you want to give the fly. The easiest way is to make geometric shapes: a circle, a rectangle, a triangle; they will make an excellent smiley face, SpongeBob, or a bird from the computer game “Angry Birds”. You can also make simple patterns for any animal in the shape of a circle or square with ears. In general, show your imagination and involve your child! Children enjoy playing with bright and soft animals.

Owl pattern with a straight bottom for easy sewing of a zipper

Get to work.

• Start by preparing a drawing on paper, cut out this drawing and transfer it with chalk to the fabric.
  Don’t forget that you need to cut out 2 symmetrical sides from the fabric, retreating a couple of centimeters from the edge. We trace the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric for the pillowcase and for the bedspread, leave seam allowances, cut out parts of the owl from both types of fabric
• Decorate the front side of one pattern. Decorate with fabric paints or sew on buttons, sequins, eyes, nose, etc.
  We cut out the eyes and nose from felt, lay them on and sew them on with a zigzag

  We make eyelashes from artificial leather and glue them to the eyes

• Place the patterns right sides together and pin with safety pins. Sew the fabric along the chalk line, stepping back a couple of centimeters from the edge and leaving a small hole.
  Finish the bottom cut of the fabric with an overlock or zigzag stitch, fold the edges inside out and attach one part of the zipper, covering the teeth halfway, then the other

  Hidden fastener sewn into the pillow

  We connect the parts with a straight stitch, folding them with their right sides inward

• Turn it inside out and fill it with prepared polystyrene or cereal.
  Turn it right side out

  We sew on the legs of our owl, bend the edge, and stitch again

An item in which the child himself took part in sewing will always evoke pleasant memories.

We make a second pillowcase in a similar way, fill it with a special filler and get two anti-stress pillow toys

A case filled with granules is not a cure for nervous conditions, but it can help you relax a little and take your mind off things. In addition, you can’t look at soft stress toys without smiling; they lift your spirits just by looking at them.

Secrets of successful washing

To properly clean an anti-stress soft product from particles of dust, sweat, dirt, without spoiling its performance properties, you need to use the following tips:

1. If there are no markings on a product with synthetic padding, you should select a gentle (delicate) washing mode.
2. You must put tennis balls into the machine before turning it on. Thanks to them, the filler will not clump.
3. Pour clean water into a spray bottle, add a couple of drops of soothing aromatic oil and spray the product before drying. Calmness will be caused not only by tactile sensations, but also by a pleasant aroma.
4. The crumpled filler can be restored. To do this, remove it from the toy and “beat” it with combs and animal brushes.
5. Holofiber balls tend to stick together when wet. The toy is deformed, but it can be fixed. You should cut the fabric along the seam, pour out the balls, separate them with your hands and place them on the fabric. After drying, put the balls back and sew up the product.
6. Toys and pillows with natural fillings are valued for their ability to retain heat. It’s nice to take a heated pillow with you to a cold bed in winter, but you shouldn’t heat the product to temperatures above 60, otherwise the natural components will become fragile, brittle and the product will become unusable.
7. To keep the item bright, add a couple of drops of ammonia to the water.

Anti-stress pillows and toys do not need frequent washing. Once every 2 months will be enough to keep the product clean. You can wash toys and anti-stress pillows in the machine, by hand, and if you follow the recommendations, the product will delight you with its beauty and cleanliness for a long time.

How to choose

When choosing relaxation pillows with balls, attention must be paid to the quality of the seams: absence of defects, reliable execution. On a complex-shaped pillow there are no holes in these places

Otherwise, most of the filler will soon end up outside.

Ribbons, laces, and chains are sometimes sewn onto the cover as additional decoration. A popular technique is photo printing. There are many forms of anti-stress pillows. Pillows are created in the shape of cartoon characters, films, and fairy tales. The child will like this bright soft product and will fit perfectly into the interior of the children's room.

Adults most often prefer horseshoe pillows. They are taken on trips or for more comfortable relaxation on the couch in front of the TV. The horseshoe-shaped model should be high, and this depends on the volume of padding. Products of standard shapes (circle, square, rectangle) are used everywhere. Suitable for successfully decorating sofas and armchairs in the living room.

At this time, stores offer a wide selection of anti-stress hearts, flowers, and animals (symbols of the coming year).

Features of drying anti-stress pillows

To ensure that the pillow does not lose its original properties, it must not only be washed properly, but also dried. Thermal drying method is prohibited. Excessive heating will cause the balls to stick together, creating a lump inside the product that will be impossible to break.

When hand washing, do not wring out the accessory too much. The pressure should be light only to remove excess moisture.

You need to let the pillow drain, and then hang it on the loggia, in a warm room.

To avoid using a spin cycle, you can wrap the item in a thick terry towel that absorbs moisture.

Drying is carried out horizontally. If you hang the pillow vertically by the edges, it will require regular shaking to prevent the polystyrene from clumping.

After washing and spinning in the machine, the product can be dried immediately. A horizontal position is also recommended.

Fillers

Polystyrene is often used to fill the internal space. Pillows with polystyrene beads are the most common. The material is foamed and turned into small granules. Characteristics:

• light material, a small child can pick up a large toy;
• does not absorb liquid;
• does not go outside;
• not interesting to microorganisms, fungus, mold, dust mites;
• does not break, keeps its shape throughout the entire period of use;
• distributed evenly under pressure, taking the shape of the object;
• a pillow filled with synthetic material balls is non-allergenic and will not harm people with asthma or children;
• inexpensive, does not require special care.

There are products with silicone balls. They are safe for everyone, including children. Properties of silicone filler:

• does not absorb moisture;
• soft, suitable for daytime and nighttime sleep;
• Suitable for hand, machine wash, cleaning;
• do not collect and repel dust;
• Antimicrobial coating protects against harmful bacteria.

What else are anti-stress pillows filled with: buckwheat husks and wool are used from natural materials. Such pillows are more expensive and more difficult to care for. With poor care, the shape is lost and the beneficial properties disappear. The version with husks will be much heavier than the synthetic one; it’s definitely not worth playing pillow fights with them. Husk increases blood circulation, relaxes the entire spine, and eliminates snoring.

Filling for anti-stress pillows with camel hair is useful for people with the following diseases:

• arthritis;
• arthrosis;
• rheumatism;
• diseases in the nasopharynx area.

Read about: a pillow with photographs and inscriptions is an original gift

The balls are pleasant to knead, this action relaxes and improves fine motor skills. Sleeping on such pillows improves blood circulation in the head.

How to wash and clean a plush toy

You can simply wash the plush elephants and bunnies, or you can use another method: cleaning with steam. Perhaps it is the safest and most environmentally friendly. Steam is not capable of exerting a mechanical effect on materials. This means that you simply cannot damage the toy. Only products equipped with electronics should not be cleaned in this way.

To begin with, all plush animals should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, and then a small area of ​​the product should be treated with steam to accurately understand whether the material will deteriorate. If all is well, you can safely continue. A powerful stream of steam will allow you to soften the dirt. After that, you can simply brush them off.

The preferred way to care for plush yarn toys is hand washing. It will be enough to wash the toy in warm water. The temperature should be no more than 30 degrees. You should use baby shampoo. No need to squeeze. Just let the moisture soak into the towel. It would be enough. Otherwise, the toy will be deformed. Wet cleaning is also suitable, which will be discussed below.