Care and washing instructions for Steiff stuffed animals
It can happen that your child's favourite soft toy has been cuddled, squeezed and possibly fed too much or that your exclusive collector's item has been stained. Then the question arises:
Is it actually possible to wash stuffed animals?
Yes, most of our plush cuddly toys can be washed in the washing machine at 30°C. However, it also depends on the item in question and its individual materials. Collector's items made of mohair or alpaca in particular are not suitable for the washing machine.
Therefore, always check the care and washing instructions for your cuddly toy before washing. These can be found in the product information attached to each Steiff item.
If you no longer have the product information or have lost it, you can also search for the item here in our online shop and find the care information on the product page. Simply enter the article name (e.g. "Hoppie rabbit") or the article number (e.g. 080470) in the search field above.
Tip: You will find the six-digit article number on the little flag on the button in the ear of each article.
Once you have found your cuddly toy, you can look in the "These are my attributes" section in the right-hand block under "How do you take care of me?" to find out how to care for your faithful companion and whether it is suitable for the washing machine. If you cannot find your item in the online shop, you are also welcome to contact us. You will find our contact details further down on this page.
What do the various symbols in the care and washing instructions mean?
All Steiff articles are quality products that are carefully processed and tested to give their owners long-lasting pleasure. With the right care, your "friend for life" will last as long as possible. So that you know what the various symbols in the washing and care instructions mean, here is a list with an explanation.
Washing
Do not wash. This means that you cannot wash the item, not even by hand and certainly not in the machine.
Hand wash. The water should be lukewarm (approx. 30°C). Use a mild detergent solution. Mix the solution with the water before adding the item to be washed.
Gentle wash cycle (30°C). Choose a delicate wash cycle. Our Steiff items should always be washed separately.
Gentle wash cycle hand warm (40°C).
Bleaching
Do not bleach. Neither peroxide nor chlorine bleach may be used.
Drying
Do not tumble dry.
Tumble dry normally. Maximum temperature 80 °C. You can use the tumble dryer to its full capacity.
Ironing
Do not iron. Ironing can cause irreversible damage
Iron at a low temperature. The temperature should not exceed 110°C
Iron at a medium temperature. The temperature should not exceed 150°C
More symbols
Do not dry clean.
Professional textile cleaning with tetrachloroethylene and hydrocarbons.
General care and washing instructions for your stuffed animals
As mentioned above, please refer to the enclosed product information or the information on the product overview page in the online shop for the individual care instructions for your Steiff item. The following general care instructions do not apply to all products without restriction and we cannot accept any liability if your cuddly toy changes if it is cared for incorrectly.
If your cuddly toy is suitable for the washing machine, place it in a laundry net or alternatively in a pillowcase before putting it in the washing machine.
Please wash at max. 30°C with a mild detergent, separately from the other laundry. We recommend the "easy care" washing programme.
If your Steiff animal is not suitable for the washing machine according to the product information or if it is an older product, we recommend rubbing it only superficially with the foam of a mild detergent and then washing it carefully with a little clear water. This also generally applies to Steiff animals made of mohair or alpaca, such as many of our collector's items.
Please do not dry your cuddly toys on the radiator or in the tumble dryer. It is best to place the cuddly toys on a clothes horse at room temperature or dry them on a line. For best results, we recommend shaking the cuddly toy several times during the drying process and/or combing it carefully.
If you can't wait to hold your Steiff cuddly toy in your arms again, you can also dry it outside on the line after the wash cycle. A little sunlight now and then won't do any harm, but it shouldn't be too much.
To keep the cuddly toys in their best shape for a long time, it is best to protect them from moisture, heat and too much light in everyday life.
Do you have any questions? Please contact our customer service team directly!
If you are not sure how to care for and wash your cuddly toy, you can also contact our customer service team. They will be happy to help you. Send us an e-mail, preferably with a detailed description or a picture of your item, or simply give us a call.
Steiff customer service:
E-mail address: info@steiff.com