Making Your Stuffed Animals Non-Allergenic

Many children who suffer from asthma find themselves unable to have plush pets because they cause allergies and asthma attacks. Just because you have allergies, doesn't mean you can't have stuffed animals, you just have to know which ones are best and how to look after them to prevent attacks.

First of all, plush stuffed animals are some of the worst ones for asthmatic kids. They tend to let a cloud of tiny hairs loose every time someone hugs them and collect dust like it was going out of style! The best stuffed animals for allergic children are those that don't have hair or fur. There are plenty of fun animals made from smooth fabrics and these should be your first choice. Look for ones that can be easily wiped clean.

If you do go for furry critters, then you need to take special care of them to prevent problems. They will need to be frequently washed to remove any loose hairs and dust. You should dust them regularly with a damp cloth, as well, to prevent dust build up and the animals should be tossed in the wash at least once a week. Make sure you choose stuffies that can be machine washed or you will be spending hours each week washing them out by hand!

Be sure the stuffed animals are properly rinsed so the soap residue won't attract even more dust and don't hang them outside to dry. Check to see if the animals can be dried in a dryer, if you aren't sure, keep the heat off and just tumble dry, or hang from an indoor clothesline. This will keep them free of pollen and other allergens that could land on them while they dry outside.

You can check new stuffies for shedding probability by tugging gently on a pinch of hair. If several pieces come out, you will need to be very careful. This would be a display piece perhaps. A handful of hair falling out is a sign of poor quality and you would be better off tossing or donating the toy.

When you need to pack stuffed animals away for a while, put them in a plastic bag before storing. This eliminates the majority of the dust and also helps prevent insects from getting into them and having a feast.

Stuffed animals are certainly an allergy threat, but you should be able to eliminate most problems by taking careful care of your child's toys and keeping them clean and dust free.