How to Wash a Bubu and Dudu Plush (Without Ruining It): Step-by-Step Care Guide
To wash a Bubu and Dudu plush, spot-clean small marks first, and for a full clean hand-wash it in cool water with a little mild detergent, press (never wring) the water out, and let it air-dry completely. Small and medium plushies without electronics or glued parts can usually go in a washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle inside a pillowcase or laundry bag. Always check the sewn-in care label first, because it overrides any general advice.
A well-loved Bubu or Dudu gets hugged, carried, slept on and sometimes dropped on the floor, so it will need a clean sooner or later. This step-by-step guide covers spot cleaning, hand washing, machine washing, drying, de-fuzzing and storage, plus a size-by-size table so you know which method suits your plush.
Before You Start: 4 Quick Checks
- Read the care label. If it says "surface wash only" or shows a crossed-out tub, do not submerge the plush. Spot-clean instead.
- Look for hard parts. Keychain rings, pendants, chains, bag straps and zips can scratch a washing machine drum or snag the fabric. Remove them if they detach, or choose hand washing.
- Check the size. Very large plushies hold a lot of water and take a long time to dry, so they are better spot-cleaned or surface-washed (see the table below).
- Test the colour. Dab a hidden seam with a damp white cloth and a drop of detergent. If colour transfers, stick to gentle spot cleaning.
Which Cleaning Method Suits Your Plush?
| Plush type | Examples from our store | Recommended method |
|---|---|---|
| Mini and keychain plush (about 12 cm) | Bubu and Dudu Mini Plush, Costume Plush Keychain (12 cm), Keychain Plush (2 Pcs) | Remove the ring or chain if possible, then hand-wash. Spot-clean if the metal part is fixed. |
| Small to medium plush (20–35 cm) | Bubu and Dudu Plush Toy (20 cm), Dudu and Bubu Plushies (20 cm), Bunny Costume Plushies (about 30 cm) | Hand-wash, or a cold gentle machine cycle in a laundry bag if the label allows. |
| Large plush (45–60 cm) | Bubu and Dudu Plushies in 45 or 60 cm | Spot-clean regularly; full hand-wash only when needed, with plenty of drying time. |
| Giant plush and plush pillows (about 80 cm) | Giant 80cm Bubu and Dudu Plush Toy, Bubu and Dudu Plushie Pillows (80 cm) | Surface-wash and spot-clean. Avoid soaking. |
| Wool plush | Dudu and Bubu Wool Plush | Spot-clean or a quick cool hand-wash; no hot water, no rubbing, no tumble dryer. |
| Plush with costumes or accessories | Bubu and Dudu Costume Plushies, Angry Dudu & Bubu Plush (with pendant option) | Take off removable costumes and wash them separately by hand; spot-clean the plush. |
How to Spot-Clean a Bubu and Dudu Plush
Spot cleaning is the safest method and is enough for most everyday marks.
- Mix a few drops of mild liquid detergent (or gentle baby shampoo) into a bowl of cool water.
- Dip a soft white cloth or an old soft toothbrush into the suds, not the water, so the plush stays as dry as possible.
- Dab the stain gently from the outside toward the centre. Avoid hard scrubbing, which can flatten the fur.
- Wipe with a second cloth dampened with clean water to remove soap.
- Blot with a dry towel and let the area air-dry.
Tip for white areas: pale fur shows marks fastest, so clean small spots as soon as you notice them rather than letting them set.
How to Hand-Wash a Bubu and Dudu Plush (Step by Step)
- Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water (never hot) and add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Submerge and squeeze gently, working the soapy water through the plush with your hands for a minute or two.
- Rinse in clean cool water, squeezing gently, until no more suds come out.
- Press out the water. Press the plush between your palms or roll it in a thick towel. Do not wring or twist; that can bunch the stuffing and stretch the seams.
- Reshape the head, ears and limbs while damp so Bubu and Dudu dry in their proper shape.
Can You Put a Bubu and Dudu Plush in the Washing Machine?
Often yes, for small and medium plushies whose label allows it and that have no electronics, fixed metal parts or glued-on details. To do it safely:
- Place the plush in a zipped pillowcase or mesh laundry bag.
- Choose a cold, gentle or delicate cycle with a low spin speed.
- Use a small amount of mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which can leave fur stiff or discoloured.
- Add a couple of towels to balance the load and cushion the plush.
- Do not machine-wash giant plushies, wool plush or anything labelled "surface wash only".
How to Dry a Plush Without Ruining It
- Air-dry in a well-ventilated room, ideally on a drying rack so air reaches all sides.
- Turn it every few hours so the stuffing dries evenly and does not stay damp in the middle.
- Avoid direct, strong sunlight for long periods, which can fade colours.
- No high-heat tumble drying. If your label allows a dryer, use the no-heat or air setting only.
- Be patient. Large plushies can take a day or more to dry fully. Make sure the inside is completely dry before cuddling or storing, to prevent odours and mildew.
How to Make a Plush Fluffy Again
Washed fur can look flat or clumpy at first. Once the plush is completely dry:
- Brush the fur gently with a soft, clean hairbrush or a pet slicker brush, following the direction of the fur.
- Fluff and squeeze the body to redistribute the stuffing evenly.
- For flattened patches, a few seconds on the cool setting of a hair dryer while brushing helps lift the fibres.
Everyday Care and Storage Tips
- Quick weekly refresh: a lint roller or a brush removes dust and hair before it builds up.
- Keep it off the floor on a shelf, bed or chair. If you are building a display, our guide on how to start a Bubu and Dudu plush collection has shelf ideas.
- Store clean and dry in a breathable cotton bag, not a sealed plastic box, if you put plushies away for a season.
- Give big plushies a pillow job carefully. If your plush doubles as a bed pillow, use a removable cover where possible. Our Bubu and Dudu pillows are an alternative for nightly use.
- Keep accessories together. Store removable costumes and pendants in a small pouch so they do not get lost.
The same methods work for Peach and Goma plushies too, such as the Peach and Goma Mochi Cat Plush (35 cm).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash Bubu and Dudu plushies?
Yes. Spot-clean small marks, hand-wash in cool water with mild detergent for a full clean, and machine-wash small plushies only on a cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag if the care label allows it.
How do you dry a plush toy after washing?
Press out the water with a towel, reshape it, and air-dry it on a rack, turning it every few hours. Avoid high heat and make sure the inside is completely dry before use.
How do I make my plush soft and fluffy again?
When the plush is fully dry, brush the fur gently with a soft brush in the direction of the fur and fluff the stuffing by hand. A hair dryer on the cool setting can help lift flattened areas.
Can I wash a large or giant plush?
It is best to surface-wash and spot-clean large plushies such as 80 cm sizes, because soaking them makes drying very slow and can leave the stuffing damp inside.
Should I use fabric softener on plush toys?
No. Fabric softener and bleach can leave the fur stiff, greasy or discoloured. A small amount of mild detergent is enough.
Final Thoughts on How to Wash a Bubu and Dudu Plush
Knowing how to wash a Bubu and Dudu plush properly keeps it soft, bright and huggable for years: spot-clean often, hand-wash gently when needed, never wring, and always air-dry completely. Looking to add a new Bubu or Dudu to your collection? Read our Bubu and Dudu plush buying guide or browse the full Bubu and Dudu Plush Collection, with free worldwide shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
