How to Care for Your Slumberkins Plush Toys: Washing, Drying, and Maintaining Softness

Slumberkins plush toys are designed to be cuddled, carried, and comforted through every big feeling. Whether your child’s Kin has been on a muddy adventure or simply needs a refresh after months of bedtime snuggles, knowing how to clean them properly keeps them soft, safe, and long-lasting.

Most Slumberkins toys are machine-washable, but the right technique makes all the difference. Below you’ll find practical care instructions for washing, drying, and maintaining softness so your child’s comfort object stays as cozy as the day it arrived.

Before You Wash: Check the Tag and Prep the Toy

Every Slumberkins product has a care label sewn into the seam. Check it first — it will tell you the exact fabric blend and any special instructions. For most Kins and Snugglers, the label recommends a gentle machine wash in cold water. If your toy has a weighted element, such as a small pouch of beads or a heavier filling, you may need to spot-clean instead of submerging it fully.

Before washing, remove any accessories like the Drawstring Bag or detachable items. Close all zippers and Velcro closures to prevent snagging. If there’s a loose thread, trim it with scissors rather than pulling. A quick once-over also lets you spot any stains you’ll want to pre-treat with a mild detergent.

• Always remove detachable items (like the Drawstring Bag or mini accessories) before washing.
• Pre-treat stains with a gentle, fragrance-free stain remover or a dab of liquid detergent.

How to Wash Slumberkins in a Machine or by Hand

For machine washing, place the toy inside a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase to protect it from agitation. Use cold water and the gentle or delicate cycle. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and harsh detergents — they can break down the plush fibers and reduce softness. A small amount of mild, hypoallergenic detergent is all you need.

If you prefer hand washing, fill a basin with cool water and a few drops of gentle soap. Submerge the toy, gently squeeze the suds through the fabric, and rinse thoroughly until no soap remains. Do not wring or twist the toy — that can misshape the stuffing and damage the stitching. Instead, press the water out gently with your hands.

• Machine wash on cold, gentle cycle inside a mesh bag or pillowcase.
• Hand wash with cool water and mild soap; never wring or twist.

Drying Your Slumberkins: Air Dry Is Best

Heat is the biggest enemy of plush softness. High temperatures can melt synthetic fibers, shrink cotton blends, and ruin the internal filling of weighted toys. That’s why air drying is strongly recommended. After washing, reshape the toy while it’s still damp, then lay it flat on a clean, dry towel away from direct sunlight or radiators.

If you’re in a hurry, you can use a dryer on the lowest heat or air-only setting. Add a couple of clean, dry towels to the load to help absorb moisture and reduce tumbling time. Check the toy every 10 minutes and remove it as soon as it feels dry to the touch. Overdrying leads to stiffness and pilling, especially on snugglers and Kins.

• Air dry flat on a towel — never hang weighted toys, as gravity can stretch the fabric.
• If using a dryer, select the lowest heat or air-only setting and check frequently.

Maintaining Softness Between Washes

You don’t need to wash your Slumberkins after every use. In fact, frequent washing can wear down the fibers faster. Instead, spot-clean small messes with a damp cloth and mild soap. For general freshness, give the toy a gentle shake and let it air out overnight in a well-ventilated room.

To keep the plush feeling silky, brush it occasionally with a soft-bristle brush or a clean, dry toothbrush. This lifts the nap and removes any dust or lint. If the toy starts to look a little matted, a quick steam from a handheld garment steamer (held at least six inches away) can help revive the fibers without getting them wet.

• Spot-clean small stains instead of washing the whole toy.
• Use a soft brush to fluff the fabric and restore softness between washes.

Special Care for Weighted and Sensory Toys

Some Slumberkins products, like certain Kins or the Educator Visual Schedule, may contain weighted beads or other sensory elements. For these, machine washing is not always safe — the beads can shift, clump, or leak. Instead, spot-clean the surface with a damp cloth and gentle soap. If the toy needs a deeper clean, hand wash it carefully, keeping the weighted area above water as much as possible.

For toys that are part of a set, such as the Shine with Confidence Set or the Back to School Starter Kit, follow the care instructions for the most delicate item in the group. If you’re unsure, test a small, hidden area first. And remember: weighted toys should never go in the dryer — the heat can damage the internal filling and affect the toy’s intended sensory weight.

• Spot-clean weighted toys; avoid full submersion when possible.
• Never put weighted toys in the dryer — air dry only.

With a little gentle care, your Slumberkins plush toys can stay soft, safe, and ready for years of comfort. Whether you’re washing a well-loved Kin or freshening up a Snuggler, the key is cold water, mild soap, and patience when drying. Follow these steps, and your child’s favorite comfort object will remain just as huggable as the day it came home.