Decorate Your Space With the Best Plushies

Buying Guide: Plushie

Plushies come in a variety of sizes and shapes, which can make the process of picking the right one confusing and tricky. We’ve put together this buying guide with everything you need to know when choosing a soft toy for yourself or your loved ones. We’ve also included information on how to take care of plushies, including an entire section on care and maintenance to help your plushies last longer.

How To Choose the Right Plushie

Consider the following factors when you’re choosing your next plushie:

Style

The first thing you need to consider is your plushie’s shape and style. From cartoon characters to dolls and teddies, there are so many options out there. Some are designed to serve as decor pieces in your living space, while others are used to improve motor skills in toddlers. Make sure your choice suits your living space and offers your little one an ergonomic grip.

Age

Another essential thing to consider is the age of the person receiving the plushie. Usually, plushies are made for babies and little kids, which is why they come in the small to medium size range. You may also find bigger versions for adults.

Space

When choosing a plushie, always consider the available space you have for it. Don’t purchase a huge plushie that takes over your entire room. Remember, plushies are an accessory piece, not a piece of furniture.

Why Add Plushies To Your Living Space?

Plushies come with a couple of perks. Below, we talk about them in detail:

Nostalgia

Because plushies come in a variety of shapes and styles they’re perfect for taking a walk down memory lane. You can add plushies in the shape of certain childhood characters to your bedroom and use them to showcase and remember important life moments. Some plushies are also collectors items, which might satisfy those who love to keep different collections on hand.

Decor

Another perk of adding plushies to your room is that they look really attractive and add a warm, elegant, and soft look. You can use plush toys to decorate your bed, side table, bookshelf, or even an open wardrobe. Make sure that the decor looks attractive and does not overwhelm the room.

Stress relief

Some people feel the need to hug or press something to fight depression or anxiety. With plushies, you can hold them thanks to their ergonomic grip and release unwanted stress.

What Are the Main Types of Plushies?

Below, we go over the most popular plushie types that most people like to keep in their living space:

Teddies

Cutest of them all, teddy bears are a great option for most people. These plushies are created for people of all ages and are available in a range of sizes. They’re also considered safe for kids to use. Most modern teddy bear manufacturers have added different features like sensors and voice or sound features to make them even more desirable.

Dolls

From classic candy dolls to rag dolls and even scarier versions, there are a lot of doll plushies available on the market. They come in medium to large size and are designed for children and adults of all ages. Dolls are safe to use and some are even a collectors item.

Cartoon characters

Thousands of cartoon characters have been converted into plushies. These plushies sometimes come with sensory features, including sounds and sensory stimulants. Character-based plushies are suitable for both children and adults and you can buy collectible items to complete your set. These toys are available in different sizes, allowing you to pick the one that matches the look of your room.

Balls

Primarily designed for babies and toddlers, ball plushies are designed to give your little ones a basic arm workout. Babies also use these toys to develop recognition skills and basic motor skills. You can practice tossing or rolling the ball to your baby to help them develop their hand-eye coordination. While balls are pretty basic, they come in different colors, making them attractive. You can even buy plushie balls in a variety of sizes so your little one can play with them as they grow. Some might even use plushie balls as a stress reliever.

How To Take Care of Your Plushies

Plushies require a little more care and maintenance to keep their quality intact. Here’s how to care and maintain your plushies to keep them looking like-new:

Soaking

It really isn’t all that difficult to keep a plushie clean and germ-free. Start off by creating a mix of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Dip your toys in the mixture to soak them. Using a mild detergent is recommended to maintain the color quality of the toy. You can also opt for baby shampoo if you have that on hand.

Soak the toys in this mixture for 30 minutes to one hour. Include your child in the process and use it as an opportunity to teach them how to care for their toys.

Rinsing

Next, rinse the plush toys with lukewarm water. Make sure that little kids stay away from the soap particles. Gently scrub the toys in a circular motion to remove any stains.

Once the toys look clean, squeeze them to remove the soapy residue. Run them under water until the water runs clean and the toys are free of stains. You may need to rub and rinse for longer in case of stubborn stains.

Some plushies are machine-washable and dry clean friendly. Check the manufacturer’s label to determine the best cleaning processes.

Drying

After washing, thoroughly dry the plush toys before returning them to the room. Leave them on a towel to air dry. It’s also possible to use a blow dryer on low settings to gently dry and reshape the plushies. Remember that plushies become heavy after washing, so do not let your toddler hold them until they’re dry.