How to wash an anti-stress toy: machine and hand wash, dry

An anti-stress toy is most often made in the form of funny animals, faces or any other objects. Small balls of polystyrene serve as filler. It is he who brings unearthly pleasure to users. Such things appeal to people at any age, but children have a special weakness for them. Considering the great popularity of such products, they often get dirty, and you have to look for a way to safely wash the anti-stress toy, so as not to spoil either it or the washing machine mechanism.

Explore the filler

As an anti-stress component in such products, in addition to polystyrene balls, the inside may also include:

Buckwheat husk.
Flaxseeds.
Bamboo fiber.

If polystyrene easily tolerates contact with moisture and practically does not absorb it, then the natural components will be spoiled. Therefore, first you need to determine whether the products with the existing filler can be completely washed.

Buckwheat hulls, bamboo fiber and flax seeds should be removed. Wash only the surface cover itself. There are no such requirements for pillows with polystyrene. But there are others. They are not allowed:

Boil or wash in very hot water.
Use bleaches, especially those containing chlorine. This component will not only ruin the color of the item, but also damage the fibers. As a result, the pillow can become seriously deformed.
Lay out to dry on the radiator.

Now you can consider various options for cleaning toys with polystyrene fillings.

Is it possible and how to wash an anti-stress pillow or toy?

An anti-stress pillow or toy is an amazing invention of modern industry. Its peculiarity lies in the amazing filler, polystyrene balls.

This wonderful filler creates an incredibly pleasant tactile sensation. A slight massage effect is created when the anti-stress toy touches the skin. And you begin to glow from within.

Polystyrene retains its shape well and does not absorb moisture. Microorganisms do not multiply in it, only dust is mechanically retained.

And a question arises. Is it possible to wash anti-stress toys? Of course yes. And at least 2 times a year. Washing the filler is absolutely safe in an automatic washing machine. It is quite durable and practically does not absorb moisture. Well, if you are not confident in the strength of the external material. Then give preference to hand washing. In this case, it will take a little more time and effort, but keep your anti-stress miracle safe and sound.

How to wash an anti-stress pillow?

For automatic water procedures, you will need washing powder for delicate fabrics, and preferably a pillowcase. Using a laundry bag is not very practical. If polystyrene beads slip out of the pad during washing, they will end up inside the machine. This may cause damage.

Select a delicate or manual washing program. We remove the spin cycle and add a little less powder than for a regular wash. Cannot be dried in a machine.

At the end of the water procedures, lightly wring out the pillow. It is better for the pillow to dry in a draft, on a flat surface. A horizontal clothes dryer is simply ideal.

Handwash.

Take a basin, pour water at a temperature no higher than 40°C. Add a little washing powder. It is advisable to use a detergent for delicate washing. We wash it like a regular item.

If the water becomes very dirty during washing, refresh the soap solution and do another “wash” cycle. Then rinse, preferably under running water. Squeeze carefully. And then we send it to dry.

Everything is clear with pillows, but how to wash anti-stress toys? Yes, exactly the same, and according to the same rules. With only one deviation, toys need to be washed more often. About once every 1-2 months. After all, your baby pulls them into his mouth, touches the toy with his face and actively inhales everything contained inside.

And one more little trick. Before sending your anti-stress pillow or toy to dry. Drop some perfume or eau de toilette onto it. Preferably with the scent of lavender, sage or lemon balm. These scents have a calming effect. And then your anti-stress miracle will bring even more peace and tranquility into your life.

Washing in a washing machine

To ensure that the anti-stress pillow does not get damaged and does not lose its properties, it is important to correctly set the regime and carry out preliminary preparation.

The procedure will be as follows:

Put things in a special laundry bag or just a pillowcase that you can zip up. This is done so that if the integrity of the cover is damaged, polystyrene balls do not get into the mechanism of the equipment and damage it.
Load toys into drum. You can wash several at once. The quantity will depend on the dimensions of each specimen. It's important not to overload. The drum of the machine should remain at least one third empty. Half is better.
If several elements are washed at once, they need to be checked for the quality of the dye so that the toys do not fade. To do this, perform a simple manual test and wet a small area of each element. Look at the reaction of fabric and paint to warm water.
Pour the detergent into the appropriate compartment or directly into the drum. Regular powder is not suitable. Its particles take longer to dissolve and then are harder to rinse out. You can use washing gel or liquid wool detergent.
How much detergent you can take depends on the volume. The manufacturer's recommended volume should be reduced by 20%.
Set to delicate mode. The following types are also allowed: hand wash, wool, silk, washing blankets and pillows. Or choose the parameters yourself. Temperature no higher than 40 degrees and spin at 400 rpm or disable this option altogether.

You can run the machine or install an additional rinse program to get better results.

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:

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.
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.
Polyester fillers (sintepon, holofiber). The materials hold their shape, are resistant to external influences, and are not afraid of moisture.
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.

How to wash by hand

When considering the question of whether it is possible to properly wash an anti-stress pillow by hand, you should follow simple recommendations:

Pour warm water into a basin. Fill the container halfway.
Add detergent. Foam the water.
Load the product.
Leave for 10-15 minutes so that the dirt comes off better.
Use gentle pressure movements to carry out the cleaning process. Do not twist, squeeze strongly or subject to friction.
Change water and rinse. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times until the water is no longer soapy.

To get rid of heavy stains, you can soap the damp item with laundry soap and let it sit for 30 minutes. After that, wash it according to the above scheme. It is also possible to use table salt, soda or weak stain removers for delicate fabrics.

Preparing for cleaning

Pre-inspect the material for stubborn stains. If they are present, you cannot immediately put the toy in the car; you must first get rid of the stains. Also look for minor damage to the fabric. Perhaps a button is coming off somewhere or a seam is coming apart. In this case, when machine washing, you run the risk of finding filler or other parts in the drum, and this can lead to its malfunction.

Fillings for anti-stress toys are made from buckwheat, flaxseeds, bamboo and polystyrene balls. The cleaning method depends on which of these materials was used. Carefully read the tag on the fabric before cleaning to avoid damaging the toys.

To remove stains, use liquid soap, dishwashing detergent, or detergent for delicate fabrics. Apply it to the problem area and rub thoroughly with a sponge, and then leave for 10-30 minutes, depending on the contamination.

After this, simply rinse the material under running water. To carry out this procedure, you need to pour out the filler, if it is buckwheat or flax.

Drying rules

It is important not only to know how to properly carry out the washing process, but also to dry it safely. The material with which anti-stress pillows are filled does not tolerate high temperatures, so it is best to dry only naturally. It is best to do this in a well-ventilated room. It is also not recommended to expose objects to direct sunlight. The sun will negatively affect the quality of the paint.

How to dry it properly:

After rinsing, let the water drain a little.
Spread a thick terry towel on a flat surface in a well-ventilated room. It is better to choose white or close to it.
Place the item.
After 30 minutes, turn the anti-stress toy over to the other side. At the same time, place it in a dry place.

During the entire drying process, it is better to move the pillow to a dry place. This will speed up drying. If necessary, you can change the towel to a new one. Immediately after washing, you can wrap the toy in thick fabric and apply a little pressure. This way, excess water will be absorbed faster. You can take another sheet and blot the water again.

It is not prohibited to dry it in a vertical position, but then the filler will bunch down and will need to be periodically whipped. In addition, this will increase the drying time. Can be hung to dry. To do this, find a place in a draft and without direct sunlight. Turn the product over every 40-50 minutes.

Preparatory activities and washing features

Due to their daily use, anti-stress pillows are not only possible, but also extremely necessary. On average, washing should be done once a quarter, and weekly it is advisable to wipe things with a damp cloth, ventilate them frequently and treat them with antiseptic substances. Toys require more frequent washing - one procedure per month.

The possibility and type of washing of anti-stress pillows are determined by the type of their filler. Often such things are filled with buckwheat husks, flax seeds, bamboo fiber or polystyrene balls. There are two washing options:

washing a whole product;
washing the components of the product separately (cover, filler).

Pillows with natural fillings made from buckwheat husks and flax seeds are prohibited from being washed as a single item. If the item does not have a zipper, you need to rip the cover open to remove the filling. It is forbidden to wet husks and seeds, because they easily absorb moisture and get wet, falling into a single lump. The filler is removed into a separate container. While the cover is being washed, the contents of the pillows should be ventilated in fresh air and dried in the sun.

Pillow with balls inside

Bamboo and polystyrene fillings are not as delicate as husks and seeds, so they will easily withstand washing.

Bamboo fiber is considered a hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly material, suitable even for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. It has the unique property of getting rid of unpleasant odors and bacteria. Also, ticks do not live in it.

Polystyrene is also moisture resistant due to its synthetic base. Its small granular balls have excellent orthopedic qualities and are not of interest to dust mites. You can wash a pillow with such filling in its entirety, without dividing it into parts. But before washing, you should carefully inspect the fabric cover for weak stitches and small holes. If any are found, it is necessary to restore the cover to an intact condition so that the polystyrene balls do not fall out during the washing process itself.

Useful tips

It is recommended to wash anti-stress toys when they become dirty. But if it is actively used, then it is better to do it less than once a month. Then you will be able to avoid the appearance of complex stains that will take a long time to get rid of.

Additionally, even though ball toys can be washed by hand and in the washing machine, there are some rules to follow:

Be sure to read instructions and labels. As a last resort, if there are none, ask the seller at the time of purchase. The product is not always machine washable. Some specimens require the utmost care.
Over time, anti-stress pillows decrease in volume. This is not a reason to throw it in the trash. After all, the filler can be purchased separately. This can be done in specialized stores or almost every furniture showroom.
Toys and pillows with balls are always not only very pleasant to the touch, but also have bright colors. To prevent them from losing their colors during washing, you can add a few drops of ammonia.
While rinsing, you can add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil. But it is better to give preference to lavender, lemon balm or sage. This will give the toy a soft aroma and enhance the relaxing effect.
Using removable pillowcases will help reduce the number of washes. But this rule only applies to pillows. There's no way to save time with toys

Thus, washing anti-stress pillows and toys is not much different from washing ordinary toys. But in order for the process to be absolutely safe, it is recommended to strictly follow the manufacturer’s care recommendations and not use aggressive detergents.

Care instructions

Timely washing and care of pillows and toys will help keep them in proper shape. Here are some useful tips on how to care for such products.

To give your anti-stress pillow a pleasant scent, you can add a couple of drops of aromatic oil of lavender, sage or other calming herbs to it after washing.
It is necessary to wash anti-stress pillows at least once every 2 months, the same applies to toys.
To preserve the bright color of these products, add two drops of ammonia to the water during the first wash.
If necessary, the filling in anti-stress pillows can be replaced with a new one; it is sold in the same place as bed linen.
Remember to read the labels on anti-stress products; some of them may only be hand washable.

Your favorite anti-stress toys will remain like new for a long time if you take proper care of them. This is not difficult to do, we hope that now you know how to do it.

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Drying Features

After water treatments, the anti-stress item requires careful drying. Due to the characteristics of washable fillers, they do not absorb large quantities of water. Therefore, automatic drying, drying on heating and heating devices is not necessary. It is enough to gently squeeze the pillow with pressing movements and place it on a terry towel to get rid of excess moisture.

The only important condition is drying in a room with sufficient ventilation. Drying is also permissible by placing the product vertically. With this option, you will sometimes have to shake and tug the filler to prevent it from clumping.

How to wash pillows and toys with an anti-stress effect, as well as the rules for high-quality drying, are discussed in detail in this article. This is a simple matter, but it has its own nuances, which will make it possible for all family members to use this relaxing thing for a long time.

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