How often do you wash your child's cuddly toys?
According to a new survey, the majority of parents rarely wash them - and now experts have revealed the best ways to give the soft toys a clean.
The survey of 2,000 parents, by online electrical retailer AO.com, found that nearly half (44%) only washed their children’s teddies once every six months or less.
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In fact, 14% admitted they didn’t recall ever washing their children’s cuddly toy.
This is despite nearly nine in ten (88%) parents knowing that teddies harboured germs and almost a third (31%) who said they were also aware of the types of germs our cuddly friends gather.
When quizzed on the reasons for not washing these prized possessions, almost half (40%) of parents admitted they didn’t know cuddly toys required a frequent wash.
The same amount (40%) said they worried the washing machine would ruin their child’s prized toy.
Lauren Clark, large appliance expert at AO.com, said: “If anything, the last 21 months has taught us how important it is to keep items clean, so it’s interesting to see in the data how kids’ teddies are rarely getting washed.
“We know children love having their cuddly friends with them and washing them is essential, in particular if their teddy is one they sleep with at night and carry around with them constantly."
So what's the best way to wash the toys?
Lauren said: "It couldn’t be easier to keep teddies fresh and clean for your little ones without damaging them.
"Firstly, check the label and if they can be washed, pop them inside a pillowcase and in the washing machine on a 60-degree wash to help protect them.
"For those that can’t go on a regular wash cycle – pop them in a plastic bag and in the freezer overnight before washing on a gentle hand wash.”
