OT: Have you ever washed the favorite stuffed animal?

 Hi everyone,  I lurk here on the boards.  I hope you don't mind that I have a question.   I need to wash my son's favorite teddy bear and I am very nervous to do it.  I am not handy to sew if it does not survive the washer.  I do have front loaders and I can put it on the delicate setting, but-- I am still nervous as it is his night, night bear.   It is a bear from Build-A-Bear if that makes any difference.   I have not seen this addressed before and I thought you ladies would be the best advise.  
JoAnn 

I wash Elmo on gentle in a pillowcase tied with a hair band and then hang him in the sun to dry. He has managed pretty well for a while, now. However, if its from Build  A Bear and he makes a heartbeat noise or has a recorded voice, he may not make it through teh wash with a voice ...

 Thank you so much for the info.  I was terrified to wash the favorite bear.  I feel better now hearing how you do yours.  Thanks again-- joann

There are a few different ways to wash your son's teddy  bear...I have been through numerous stuff animal washing with 4 grown kids now so I should say I am an expert lol.  One way is to take some mild dish soap and put it on a rag/cloth (damp of course) and scrub it on the dirty spots and then take a clean damp cloth and go over the soap to help it not stiffen from the soap.
The other way is put it in a pillow case, tie it in there so that it doesn't escape and put it in the washer and then when it is done washing as long as no plastic parts you can put it in the dryer to dry or just take out and let it air dry.  I have had no problems with washing them in washer  that way.  You do want to make sure that it doesn't have any tears in it so that stuffing comes out if that is case mend those before washing.  Hope this helps and good luck :D

 Thank you so much for the response.  I feel so much better about washing the favorite bear!!  You guys are the best on this site--- thanks again.

You are most welcome :D

It is probably easier on the toy if you have (or can get a hold of briefly) a front-loading machine. I love mine and wash my daughers stuffed animals in there with no problem.