A Makeover For Our Stuffed Friends
Plush, stuffed animal, lovey….whatever name you want to call it, it is one of the best items to sell with a very low investment and maximum profit!
What’s that? Who would want this dirty, dusty, yucky, OLD plush?!? The answer to that is, lots, and lots, and lots of people. Not only will folks pay for older, less than perfect plush, they will pay GOOD money for them. I could think of hundreds of scenarios as to why people buy what they do, but I’ve decided not to question it and just go with it. The bottom line is, these guys are well worth the work!
When I first started buying plush for resale, I was afraid to wash them for fear of ruining them. I’ve probably sold hundreds of them to date and I am yet to ruin one. Here are some tips to make those dirty duds as spiffy as can be!
If a plush isn’t in bad shape and doesn’t smell funky, you can probably just get away with wiping it (I use a wipey). You could also dip the wipey or towel in oxyclean or another powdered detergent and get any stains it may have. Use a lint roller for those that attract lint and you can even try a vacuum to get that dust off. Most ink can be removed with rubbing alcohol. That includes the writing some thrift stores put on tags.
If the plush looks clean and just has that “storage” smell, you could put it in a bag and put it in the freezer for a while. I usually only use this method if it still has tags and the value would decrease if I were to remove them and wash it.
If the plush is beyond any surface cleaning help, throw it in the washer. Gasp! I know it’s not recommended by manufacturers but like I said, I’ve yet to ruin one! Make sure you take out any music boxes, etc. If you want to take extra precautions, put it in a pillow case and wash it in a gentle cycle. I always let them air dry and skip the fabric softner.
When listing plush, remember to describe any flaws including a missing tag, a discoloration, loose thread, working lights/sounds etc. Also, be sure to include a size. Buyers can’t always tell the size from pictures. And believe it or not, buyers want to see different angles. I try to take a pic of the front, back, side and bottom.
Plush are a great profit maker! A few minutes of TLC really make a difference! Got any plush tips? Post them in your comment. Remember that for each day you comment, you are entered into a drawing for a $20 GC at the end of the week!
~Xochilt~
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Xochilt, your picture cracks me up
Love the tips. I have boxes of plush that I’m going to get to after I finish with the bedding so your tips are very timely! Thanks!!!
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Great Tips!
I also wash mine in a pillowcase in the washer on delicate. I have a great success! If they have any pilling, you can trim lightly and carefully with a scissors.
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Thanks! I have a bin of plush I have been avoiding–guess it is time to start listing!
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Thanks for the tips and motivation!! I have 10 (YES TEN) unlisted totes full of plush! Need to get listing!!
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I love stuffed animals they are so easy to list.. Thanks for the tips!
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Love plushies! Not only are they a great seller….love to read the history behind them.
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haha! I love the picture!
My dryer has a shelf in it that is made for plush – you’re supposed to use that in combination with an air-dry cycle. I’ve not tried using it yet but I intend to. Other people might want to check their dryers, too – my mom’s didn’t come with a rack but she can order one for it so that might be a possibility if you have a lot of plush and no space to dry them.
Great post!
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Awesome Awesome picture!!!! I absolutely love it!!! My one tip besides the oxyclean and towel method is trying regular dawn on dark spots first. I did not know about the alcohol on the black pen removal tip for plush, I normally sell as it comes. Thanks!
One tip for removing those thrift store staples, a pen or tiny flat head screw driver in your husbands tool box! Click your pen closed and gently remove the staples each one by the pointy prickly! It will save your fingernails from injury.
Storage, I have mentioned before that I am putting all mine in a giant $20 spacebag. Selling 2 or 3 of these suckers is worth the investment.
Buy these at Target and various other stores sell spacebags.
Selective – while shopping please remember some plush may bring in some cash fast, some are over time, be very selective or use research before you buy or you will be storing duds! This could get disastrous!
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I’ve only ruined 2 out of hundreds (or more). They all go in the wash & depending on what it is, some things I do put in a pillowcase first.
Love the pic!! lol
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I have washed all of mine too and almost always through them in the dryer and have never had any problems. The ones with the voice boxes are the ones that I have the hardest time getting clean. So many times I have skipped over picking them up, just so I won’t have to mess with them and risk the chance of the voice box not working after I have tried to clean it up.
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Your photo is hilarious! I love it!
I have washed many too and have never had a problem.
I have 3 tubs full of plush I need to get listed…and I just bought more yesterday! Thanks for the motivation!
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I love selling plush! I have 4 large laundry hampers ready to list! Maybe during the 280 challenge!
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Great tips! I have also sprayed some plush with Febreeze and then let them air outside for a bit.
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I have avoided buying plush but you will see me now days scanning the plush bins looking.
I have always thrown them in the wash and they have always come out fine.
You could consider donating your duds to your local sherriff ‘s , fire dept or ems they give them to kids who have be involved in a trama. even the Emergency rooms will take them.
Ob departments will also take newborn items there are women who deliver babies and have nothing so they will send them home with a few things.
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Wow – that picture is so cute! Sorry – they don’t allow clothes lines in my neighborhood so I guess the dryer will have to do. I always put them on the gentle cycle. I have only sold a few plush and was amazed at what people will pay for a used toy.
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I never thought about using a wipey to clean up plush! Thanks for the tip
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I’ve even washed plush with a non-removable music boxes before, and they still worked! I don’t think I’d risk it on a really high value one, but it it’s borderline…why not?
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Another great blog topic!
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This is an awesome tip, thanks for the motivation. I have a lot of plush that need to be listed on my store.. I just did not have time to list it… Most of these are still clean and was bought for my daughter but never even used. Some might need wash, I just have to double check all of these. I love the picture it’s so cute.. Great idea.. Thanks for sharing it again.
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I have seen a similar scene in my backyard in the summer. I hang them over the woodstove in the frosty MT winter.
Thanks for all the tips. Plushes are my favorite to list and sell.
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Another way to refresh plush that you are unsure about washing is to put it in a bag and pour some baking soda in, seal it up and shake it all around. When you take it out shake it out again to get any remaining baking soda out. It helps to deodorize and clean the plush. Also you can use salt instead of baking soda.
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