Cross Breeds

Is it safe to let my children play with my old stuffed animals?

My mom saved all my toys from when I was younger, and she recently brought them over to me to give to my kids. But I was wondering - will it be okay? The toys are mostly stuffed animals and dolls - nothing with lead paint, I am pretty sure. They have been sitting in bags in my mom's storage room for about 20 years. I smelled them and they smell okay, not too musty but not brand new either. Most of the toys are either stuffed animals or Cabbage Patch dolls. So, what do you think? Will it be okay?

Public Comments

1. no
2. I probably wouldn't unless they were washable first. There could be mites or bug eggs or mildew or whatever down in the fibers. Stuffed animals are super cheap so I just don't think I would do it. Now most anything non plush would certainly be OK.
3. It's fine, The only things to be concenred about is ones with large amounts of dust or any signs of mold. Otherwise they are fine to play,. Let the kids have fun!!!!
4. i think that would be perfectly fine. i did the same thing.
5. Yes, and you can clean them. According to Heloise, featured in Good Housekeeping: "Q:My daughter stored some stuffed animals and a few dolls in a plastic bag in the basement while she rearranged her room. They were dusty to begin with, and now they're slightly moldy. How do I clean them? Julie Braunreiter Livonia, MI A:Vacuum or brush them off first. Then, if they are not washable, put them in a large plastic bag and add 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda or cornstarch. Close the bag tightly and shake hard to coat the toys. Let them sit awhile. Take the bag outside and remove the toys. Shake each item to get rid of the white stuff and use a soft hairbrush to finish the job. Leave the clean toys out in the sunlight and fresh air for a few hours before putting them back on the shelf." I have also cleaned teddybears and most stuffed toys by dipping them in soapy water, squeezing them out and putting them in the dryer on the "fluff" mode. I put them inside a pillow case while in the dryer. They will come out damp. Then I let them air dry outside. Since yours are so old, then consider if you really want them for sentimental value. If you do, I would clean them the "Heloise way." If not, then I would clean them with soap and water. If they fall apart, then it's no loss.
6. Sad thing is they are probably safer then what you can buy now!
7. Funny thing I recently asked my childs Dotor about this. I found my old Stuff animals and she said They can play with them to first put them in a trash bag and freeze them for four hours also you can sprinkle baking soda in a bag and give them a toss to kill dust mites and such. As my Mom always says God made dirt it won't hurt...lol.
8. It really don't matter to me because that's the horse of the different color. LOL!