Cleaning Your Teddy Bears

Keep your bears looking their best with these simple tips:

Many of us hesitate to clean our bears, perhaps remembering when Mom borrowed our childhood teddies for awhile. Remember when Theodore was "kidnapped." After protest, Mom finally returned him … without his familiar smell, and he'd become fluffy again. It took awhile before things were the same.. But don't be afraid to clean your teddy — it could save his life!

Many people think of Teddy bears as friends and valued them as objects of art, not necessarily something that had to he cleaned and dusted along with the rest of my house. The fact is, teddy bears' fur is a lot more vulnerable to household elements than you realize.

Before cleaning old teddies, de-bug and vacuum them. Also, some materials, such as rayon and kapok, react badly to water, causing staining, so be certain of the type of fabric before cleaning.

You should NEVER immerse old jointed teddies in water. Their metal parts, such as cotter pins and washers, will rust, and mold can develop it you do not dry the bear properly.

For older bears made of mohair- Even though mohair is a durable fabric, it must be cared for properly to last for generations. Mohair is a protein, so the less you do to it the better. Use a gentle, colorless soap (such as Ivory detergent) to surface wash. Don't dampen or touch his paw pads. If they are excessively dirty, you may consider replacing them. Rinse the surface with clean water on a washcloth. Baby shampoo has yellow dyes and may discolor the mohair. For stains, try a few drops of white vinegar to brighten up spots. Use a cotton swab and gently rub over the stain. Never use bleach — it will dissolve the fabric. And whenever handling your teddy bears, make sure your hands are clean. Pat the bear dry with a white towel (to avoid color bleeding).

For new teddy bears- If a bear is washable (NOT just surface washable): Immerse in a bowl of warm water with either colorless soap or a detergent for woolens. Gently remove any stains with a bristled brush. Rinse. Place in a cotton or muslin bag and peg the bag to the clothes line.

Or let the bear dry naturally, avoiding sunlight. (Note: Please do not hang him by his ears!) You may put him in a muslin or cotton pillow case and hang that from a clothesline to dry. To speed drying time, set hairdryer on the lowest (cool) setting and move it back and forth at least 12 inches away from the fur, Once dry, brush the fur with a soft-bristle (baby) brush or a nylon comb. (Exception: Don't brush the new matted-type mohair; it's supposed to look like that.)

• Note: When in doubt, consult a professional bear restorer or bear hospital before attempting to bathe your beloved bear.

Next, it is revealed that while teddy bears don't have many enemies, they fear and suffer from the effects of dust, sunlight, moisture, and bugs.

Dust

Does your teddy bear have a dust collection? If so, it could eventually damage his fur and takes away from his handsome appearance. Clean him regularly with a vacuum by covering the nozzle with thin gauze, fiberglass, or pantyhose for gentler suction. Remove any clothing or accessories before vacuuming (the bear's, not yours). Be especially careful not to damage claw stitching and be sure to keep clear of eyes, buttons, and labels (they significantly improve his value).

Also, consider dressing your bears. Clothing not only adds to your bear's personality, it can help protect it from harsh sunlight and dust. Choose clothes that are not too tight and allow air to circulate around the mohair.

Sunlight & Heat

The dye in colored old bears will fade naturally, but beware of sitting them in direct sunlight — this will speed the process, and even natural shades of fur will quickly lose color. Sunlight can also cause the fabric to rot.

Keep Teddy in a cozy place, but avoid keeping him too close to radiators or air ducts … he may suffer from hot flashes and his mohair will become brittle.

Bugs

Teddy bears make friends easily. Regrettably, some of them are unwanted creatures that want to make their home in his attractive fur. It's important to check your bears regularly for signs of insect life. If you collect vintage or antique bears, check a new arrival before introducing him to the rest of your hug.

Teddy bear fur attracts larvae from carpet beetles and moths, which feed on the wool fibers. Larvae from furniture beetles may attack wood (wool or excelsior stuffing), and even animal fleas can make a cozy home in mohair. (Note: Pets pose many threats to bears, so keep them far away from your treasured teddies.) Larvae casings look like small papery ovals. Pay special attention to joint crevices and where the ear joins the head. One of the first signs of infestation is often tiny holes in the felt pads.

If your bear shows signs of infestation, place him in a large plastic bag and spray the inside with flea powder or mothballs, being careful not to spray directly on the bear. Seal the bag and leave for approximately seven — 10 days (depending on the size of the bear).

You can also put the bear in the freezer for "de-bugging." After four — seven days, remove him from the freezer. Take him out of the plastic bag immediately to avoid condensation while he's thawing.

• Exception: Seek a bear expert's advice BEFORE treating musical or mechanical bears in either of these ways.