How to clean your Steiff bear

The story of Steiff started of with a pin cushion in the shape of a small stuffed elephant made by Margarete Steiff over 135 years ago. Over the years Steiff has grown and expanded their name making them a favourite amongst kids and kids at heart. Steiff bears are made using nothing but top quality durable materials but like with any collectible they can become dusty or grim if unkept and each bear comes with a label the provides the necessary care instructions. We have also put together a guide on how you can look after your Steiff bear.

Can I wash my Steiff bear?

Yes you can wash your Steiff bear. The cleaning instructions will depend on what material your bear is made from. If your bear is made from mohair or alpaca it is suggested that you wipe your bear down with mild detergent using a damp clean and soft white cloth, rinse with clear water until the soap has been removed and squeeze the excess water. Avoid wringing or twisting the bear otherwise this will damage the bear. Why a white cloth? This is so you can avoid any colours from staining the bear.

Some Steiff bears can be machine washed, to wash your bear in the washing machine it is recommended that your place your bear in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. You can wash your bear at 30°C using a gentle laundry detergent. To protect your bear from staining it's best to machine wash the bear on it's own. If you do need to machine wash the bear with other items then it's best to avoid mixing it with coloured clothes.

If you are unsure about how to clean your Steiff bear, you can always check the washing instructions found on the care label attached to your bear.

How do I dry my Steiff bear?

Steiff do not recommend placing the bears in a machine dryer. Steiff also recommends that you protect your bear from heat and light. So you are probably wondering how to dry your bear, a good way would be to air dry it by hanging it out on the washing line making sure it isn't exposed to the sun as this may cause the colouring on the bear to fade. Or you could use a hair dryer which is set at the cool temperature.

Need some more bear care advice visit The Spruce where Dipika Mirpuri has provided some tips on how to look after your bear.

Worried about washing your Steiff bear?

If you are worried that you might ruin your Steiff bear whilst washing it then you could try vacuuming the dust off using the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner or a hand held vacuum cleaner. If you notice that the is matted, brush it using a soft brush to restore your bear to it's former glory.

My bear cannot be rescued?

Don't fret! If your bear has got to a point in it's life where it cannot be washed to restore it to it's former glory or is beyond a repair, why not get in touch with a soft toy hosptial to see if it can be repaired and brought back to life.