I adore how many comments here are from adults wanting to clean their decades old favorite teddy...because that's why I'm here! Mine is a 20 year old panda bear. His white parts are not so white anymore but I'm excited to try this out.

I haven't cleaned my bear for 45 years..I can only imagine the dirt that will come off him.. he still shares my bed though...😀

@alicesbearshop5272

7 жыл бұрын

Go for it Andrea. He deserves a little tlc. We'd LOVE to see the before and after shots. xxx

@andreagonzales1096

7 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't trust myself to do a good job his far too presious for that...I'll send him to doctor Dave x

@gypxyguerrillero

3 жыл бұрын

Mines about 40 years dirty. And just recently come out of storage and back in bed with me due to quarantine. Poor guy is so dirty and matted and covered in some chocolate or coffee or something. What kind of teddy drinks coffee?? I Don't know where to start. But I'll definitely take before and after when I do!! Thanks. Xx

@dorisbrinkerhoff8124

Жыл бұрын

bears like to be dirty

My teddy is 75!! This helped so much to help him get squeaky clean 🧼

Omg, this is the first time in 30 years I've seen this teddy bear. I have the same since i was a baby. I've just started restoring him.

My first plush is a black poodle. She is 58 years old and I took her to bed with me until I got married 32 years ago. She had been loved to death, bless her, with big holes and very little remaining fur. She had never been washed in all that time because she was mostly straw filled. I watched what the 'Teddy Ladies' did on The Repair Shop tv programme and carefully opened the main seams of my dog, Trixie. The stuffing was vile so that was carefully bagged and binned. I then gently washed her in a mild soapy water. Carefully agitating her until the water was as black as she was. I then rinsed her in luke warm water, being careful not to wring the fabric to get the water out. I them took an old piece of sheeting type fabric and drew round the legs etc. I then stitched them together to make little inserts. I did it a bit at a time until I had lined the whole dog, stitching the various inserts together. I then stuffed her with kapok. I wanted her to have a nice natural filling, but don't use kapok if you want to wash again. She is also considerably lighter than before. Lastly I stitched the biggest holes closed, taking the thread through the inserts to give it strength. She looks lovely and I think the Teddy Ladies would be proud of me, lol.

MY TEDDY BEAR IS 70 YEARS OLD SO I TOOK HIM TO THE CLEANERS YESTERDAY BUT THEY SAID NO I just happened to run across your video so you really boost my spirit. thank you much. KE

You are a life saver. My 30 year old, first ever teddy is a polar bear, and she is looking quite like she has rolled around under a car. Lol. I hope this method works on her. 💜 Thank you!

@alicesbearshop5272

5 жыл бұрын

Sounds perfect for her. I'd love to see before and after pics. X

@user-pt1cz4ot1e

5 жыл бұрын

Alice's Bear Shop I’ll have to send them to you then. ☺️. I bet she will look great. I’m so excited.

I cleaned a mohair teddy and he came up great. His fur looks much more golden now.

I happened to find my childhood teddy in my parents’ basement. He’s about 55+ years old and spent s some time buried in a toy box, and was very matted and grubby. He looked so sad, I decided to take him home to Florida with me. I found your video, and -WOW! he is actually fuzzy again, and like your bear -smells gorgeous! Thank you so much!

Oh my god I have the exact same bear! Ive never known anyone with the same one as me at least now it gives me a little comfort knowing he will survive this method of cleaning even if he is a little more worn down from love than the one in the video!

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Emily Fernie would love to see your before and after video. Xxxx

@katrinamabutas9293

5 жыл бұрын

Hi! I feel so happy to see this video and even much happier to find this comment! I have the exact bear just slightly bigger that my dad bought in Germany 30 yrs ago. I was only reunited to him recently. Can u tell me a little history about your bears? Where did u guys get yours? Do u know which company? TIA!

@clover1603

4 жыл бұрын

I got the same bear from cleaning out my grandpas house after he passed. No idea the history. I had no idea other people had the same bear ❤

@ashdane4921

3 жыл бұрын

Mine is the panda version of this one

@isabelcouperus3391

2 жыл бұрын

I have the same!

This channel just blew/opened my mind. So much people wanting bear-care. 🐻❤ But my question is this; I have a bear I hold very dear. Nightly. And I've often thought about cleaning the dear little thing. But every time I do try and clean him, I lose something of who he is. So where do I draw the line? How can I tell that I'm about to go beyond the point where restoration becomes just 'too late'? I'm sure there is some compromise at work here, but, basically, is there a 'right' point to start cleaning? (Given that I love the little scruff just as he is right now.)

I eventually plucked up the courage and tried this on my most loved bear. After a few days of careful attention he's far from pristine. But. He is also a Lot less grubby in the areas that have been cleaned. Not clean yet, but getting there. I'm not even sure I want him 100% clean. He's a 'bear for life". Really my best companion for decades. But thank you for showing me how to clean my bears up.

Omg wow! I am gonna try this on the 5 foot tall teddy bear I found on the side of the road last night 🤗😁🧸

Tuppence had nearly 70 years of dust, plus puppy dribble in his mohair. He went to stay at Alice's Bear Shop hospital for a few months and came back fitter, younger and way, way cleaner than when my twin brother last played with him in 1959. The medics there are major surgeons!

Thank you for this wonderful video. You've taken a much loved you dog from a mucky grey to a snow white. Back to her original beauty

I love your commentary, thank you for the tip!

How do you avoid lots of residue from the foam staying in the fur?

I have a beige teddy bear with a brown bow named Goldie. My dad bought him as a early birthday gift for me when i was eight, and it was one of the most precious things that i kept from my dad. I would bring the bear at school, malls, and everywhere, and sleep with it, it would be my most favorite teddy bear and comfort toy. Im now 12, and i still have Goldie, who i am now cuddling as i write this. Edit: forgot to mention, he's four years old.

I have bears that are at least 68 to 120 years old. Very happy to find a source. We don't have Vanish but we bought woolite foam cleaner. Hopefully it will work just as well.

i just found my old teddy from when i was a baby. he's dirty, but so precious to me. thank you for telling me how to clean him.

This video is so great! I just got a vintage Baby Tugs (an old baby care bear haha) and he needs some genuine cleaning.

This is an excellent, informative and amusing video, thank you for the trouble you took to make it.

@alicesbearshop5272

7 жыл бұрын

Our pleasure Martin. x

Thank you very much Alice, very helpful. My wife and I now proud Grandparents, are looking to clean and Restore our Bears ( and maybe a dog, However we need to learn more before tackling him ). Your cleaning advice will prove helpful, our three Bears & one dog being 64/5 years old. All the best and Thanks again Paul

I'm gonna clean my 1st ever Teddy Bear Daryl 'Blue fury bear' who I have had for 32 Years using this video as guidance. 1st time I'm ever gonna do this and I hope it goes well

Thank you for taking the time to make this video...even though it did just help me to decide on chucking my bear in a pillow case and washing him on a delicate cycle (he survived). 😆👍🏻

now he’s looking very handsome ! thank you great video 👍🏼

absolutely fantastic video! thankyou for your help :)

I did that now my 52 year old Teddy is bald as a Coot...great thanks for that!

@alicesbearshop5272

5 жыл бұрын

Is he a mohair bear?

@sharonkramer7030

4 жыл бұрын

@@alicesbearshop5272 how would one know if it is mohair? I have a vintage Santa that I would like to try to clean

@babystarlai

3 жыл бұрын

LOLLLL.

@JB-ie9hj

3 жыл бұрын

Has your Teddy got a bare behind m now .

@shonpaulperryii9635

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

Thanks Alice.

Thank you so much for this informative video! I’ve been putting off cleaning my 25 year old bear, Blue Bear (aka Bloob) out of fear of ruining him. Still fall asleep with him every night lol. But I’ve had a bad reaction to sunscreen recently & I think some of it got in his fur, since I’m still getting an allergic reaction on my neck, which is where his face is when I sleep... trying this today, I hope it helps! (He is from North American Bear Company, the chef bear named James Beard.)

Best video about this subject

Fantastic , thank you 😊

Thank you so much for this video! My 31 year old teddy, Majik, is in desperate need of a clean, but I've been afraid to do so, as I dont want to damage him at his age. I look forward to trying.

my teddy is around 60 years old and named Thomas Bearrington and i cant wait to try this out on him!

Cute Teddy bear 🧸🤗🥰

Alice, this is truly such a charming video! Thank you for the tips :)

@alicesbearshop5272

4 жыл бұрын

Our pleasure. x

I cleaned a VERY old bear and it looks so much brighter! thx! btw the bear is from when my DAD was like 8

Hi ! Thank you for this video. I am curious to know what kind of foaming soap you are using. Thank you !

I Have A Big Garfeld Plush Thats Vintage And Now Looks Brand New!

Thanks for the info. I ended up washing it by hand very gently with Castile liquid soap. Kinda like a cashmere sweater. I will look for foam or try your recipe. Xx

Thank you so much for this tutorial. We are currently cleaning an almost 24 year old Simba plush that was one of my girlfriend’s first toys. She still sleeps with it every night and it’s so matted and grimy that when we found a picture of the same toy in mint condition I could hardly believe the muted brown and tan lion had ever been a vibrant yellow and white. We might not be able to get him quite back to his former glory (she cut off this fur tufts when she was little because she thought it would grow back) but hopefully we can get him to a point where he will last another 24 years. :)

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Patricia R I'd love to see before and after pictures. X

Hi, thank you so much for the video. I have a little bunny from build-a-bear who is turning 8 soon that needs to be cleaned. As a quesion, will this work on shaggier or long-haired stuffies?

Wow this looks exactly like my childhood bear. Any idea where it may have come from?

We're in Australia and having trouble finding teasle brushes. Could you please suggest any alternatives?

My Winnie the Pooh bear is 46 years old, and a friend suggested your video when I mentioned that I'm terrified of trying to clean him. Now I have to locate a vacuum with a hose. But I'm wondering - is the cleaning foam for rugs/upholstery?

@alicebuchanan6706

2 жыл бұрын

Funny that you’ve come to this video for a Winnie the Pooh bear, when I’ve come to see how to clean my Eeyore!

@kellieleung6825

2 жыл бұрын

I want to clean my Winnie the Pooh bear too! I really don't want to hurt it :(

I have a bear from my first birthday and I've had him for twelve years, though I've only had him for 12 years he's definitely been loved- He's been sewn up several times and his fur gone in some places- No matter how many times I put him in the washing machine he's never 100% clean- It's quite sad honestly

@kellieleung6825

2 жыл бұрын

OMG SAME!

@yourlocalcassidy2288

2 жыл бұрын

I've had one sense when I was born 15 years 🥲 he's very dirty

Omg I have a similar version of this bear but I don't know what the brand is I always thought mine was a variation of the Lord & Taylor vintage Gund collection but the feet of those bears are not the same as the one I have, the feet of the bear I have matches this exact bear and I seriously got super excited because I really would like to know what the brand and make of this bear is mine is an open mouth vintage in this make and I cannot find anything that looks exactly like it anywhere.

Not to criticize your method, but I still prefer to gently handwash my stuffed animals in warm soapy water. I check the stuffing inside. If it's spongy and bounces back easily when dry, I submerge the "stuffy." If it's heavy and cottony, I'll use your method. I worry about the grime seeping into to stuffing. Your brown bear is adorable.

Thanks going to do this on a old 1978 chad valley plush ...

Are you using a foam carpet cleaner or foam stain remover?

Hey Alice- love the video, super helpful in trying to figure how to clean a new Steiff bunny I got. But what is the foam? I live in the U.S. and can't figure if there's an equivalent here. Thanks. XX

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Poppy. Any gentle, fabric cleaning foam will do. If you can find a good environmentally sound one, even better. If ypu can't get the foam in a can, use a fabric shampoo liquid, mix it up in a tall jug wiith warm water and just use the foam from the top. it's important not to get the fabric wet. shout out if you need any more help. xxx

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

I googled and found a company called Biokleen. They do an environmentally sound carpet cleaning shampoo. This or something like it should do the trick. I hope this helps. xxx

Will this work on Build A Bear Sherpa fabric teddy?? Mine has been stained from hugging it too much and it also turned pink because of a red shirt it was wearing for months. It’s also grayish blue on other parts of the fur.

I have a pink and white Lotso bear. He's a collectible and you barely see him in stores these days, but will this method remove color disfiguration? By that I mean will it also bring Lotso's original colors back? His white fur is kinda dirty grey and the pink has turned into a rough dark pink.

Thankyou for this useful video! I have subscribed! I saw all your videos and saw you haven't done your personal teddy collection video. May I request this please? I would love to see them. :)

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi NOIRIST My personal hug isn't huge but they're all very precious to me. I've gotten to cuddle the teddies in our Teddy Hospital most days for 19 years and they're my extended family. X

A dog brush or cat brush will also work but will be a bit more harsh on the plushie

Hi. Could I ask what the bear is in this video? I have the same one from when I was a kid but the tag has worn off and I have no idea where he was from.

I know this is a long stretch but im trying to figure out what brand made these teddybears

Hi thank you for a great video ... my bear is actually new and I’m looking for ways to care for it. It’s a steiff bull but its well loved and sleeps with me and i want to maintain it...whats the best thing to use on mohair bears, which is what i am assuming this is?

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Helen. The techniques in this video will work on your bull. Maybe look for a more natural, gentler foam. Tip number 1 is not to get the item, in this case your bull, wet. We use a foam but some recommend a cloth squeezed almost dry. I prefer a foam because there is no risk of wetting at all. I'd love to see your before and after pictures. x

My teddy is almost 30 years old I can't sleep with it almost can't have it in the same room as me because my allergies. Thanks for this

Is vanish foam safe to use for teddies that are cuddled and occasionally chewed/sucked?

My teddy is only 26 years old but i think she may out grime your bear! I still sleep with her every night under my head, which had turned her many shades of blue purple and green. Oops

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Oh bless her! Even the grubbiest ted can benefit from a (very gentle) clean. Check out our Teddy Lost and Found map video. Some of them are loved to bits. xxx kzread.info/dash/bejne/poyuys-KhpPLkbQ.html

@Interstellarbeachbum

3 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh !!! Me too!!!!

You're so funny thank you for this video

I've just bought a vintage Lines Brothers ride on dog, I think he's mohair. Lots of bald patches! Would this method work on him?

Does this method work for.... say an electronic plush? I found an extremely dirty chubbles plush and i wanted to know if this would work

I have a mink teddy bear. How would I clean him? Also..I don't know what cleaning foam to use.

Omg I know this is an older video but I found my old Beary and was looking for ways to clean him (because services are expensive and I'm sooo scared to ship him somewhere) and !!! that's him!!! That must be his big brother or something because my Beary is a bit smaller and he's sitting down but they have the exact same face and fur! The same shiny nose! I bet there's felting around the edge of the nose where it used to be soft, isn't there?

Do you repair vintage carebears?

Does this work with all stuffed animals, whatever material??

My childhood bear's similar to this one - though he's supposed to be white and he's not so white anymore 😅 I'm trying to work up the courage to clean him, as I'm 24 years old and I'm not sure the last time he's been cleaned! UPDATE (next day): I cleaned him! He's not white (he'll never be white again let's face it 😅), but he's fluffier and smells much better. Thanks for the helpful video!

Hi Alice how would you go about cleaning a stuffy where about 25% of the fur gone and the backing is showing

Oh my gosh thats the exact teddy bear my mom has!! (Im trying to clean it for her for Christmas) Do you know what brand/make or what material its made from?

What kind of foam could I buy here in America? I need to clean a bear from the early 90s. About 30 years old with long hairs.

I’m about to try and clean my old pink teddy bear. I’ve kept her everywhere, every night and I hope I can restore her to her former glory. Wish me luck.

I like your technique! I would like the name of the "foam" you are using, please. Much appreciated. 😊

@ghostboy4115

5 ай бұрын

I looked around for a bottle that looks like the one in the video and I believe i’ve found it. Vanish : powerwash

@ghostboy4115

5 ай бұрын

Heres a link to a clear image of the bottle! Its a UK brand so I haven’t had the best luck finding it for sale but I hope this helps! : cdn.huntoffice.ie/images/P/137649.jpg

Oh so dont put a Steiff in the machine? Was about to..glad I watched this first. Not joking.

I usually use a wool cleanser and build up the foam in a container, then use that to apply with a soft brush to vintage mohair. I've used a conditioning rinse and then brushed out carefully with a soft brush. if the bear is stuffed with degradable filling, and they generally are, it might be best to have it restored and refilled with a heavy polyfibre as suggested by the V&A. Wood wool breaks down and causes limbs to become loose as does very old kapok which creates horrible dust and foam chips get sticky and black. see wiltshireart.com -bears

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Jill. Some great advice. The foam is useful as it prevents the nead to build up suds. We try not to change anything at all unless absolutely necessary. There ae those occasions where a filling has broken down but we would replace with new wood wool or kapoc to keep Ted as original as possible. The foam can be truly awful and as you say, has to go.

@jillhillman2295

6 жыл бұрын

Hi there I wanted to keep the bear to original spec too but in the end decided that when the mohair was so threadbare and fragile went along the polyfibre route as the conservationists appear to recommend it. I felt better about it after that and have restored my collection which I exhibit - new exhibition coming up at Trowbridge Museum in Wiltshire. I still struggle with tightening leg joints on large bears though! Best wishes J

My old bear is stuffed with nutshell, can I use the foam on that? The fur is also not that thick

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Holly. I've never heard of a bear filled with nutshell! I even tried Googling it and it kept giving me roast nut stuffing recipes! You've taught me something new and beaten Google. Not bad for a day's work. As long as you use the foam as advised and be careful not to let the backing and therefore the stuffing get damp, it shouldn't matter what he's filled with. As his fur isn't very thick I'd say be extra, extra careful and test a patch first. Let us know how you get on. x

Your teddy look same as mine, but i got it like 20 years ago and i still keeping it.

I wanted to know, should I do this procedure even on a teddy that has lost a lot of her fur and is very delicate and fragile in her pits and neck?

@Hevva67

4 жыл бұрын

I would just use the foam, not the wire brush. And also in the future if things get too much, get some new fur to patch it.

I never outgrew the stuffed Elmo I've had since I was a baby, and I still sleep with him to this day, but he is quite worn and needs a good cleaning. I've considered sending him to a doll hospital, but that gives me separation anxiety, so I am considering buying the materials you've shown and cleaning him off myself. Where can I find the materials you used?

What kind of Bear is this in the video? Looks like my childhood one

I have a dear 30+ year old (late 80s) bear that extremely well loved. His fur looks exactly like the bear in the video, matted in the same way. They actually look very alike! I'm absolutely terrified of cleaning him because I'm scared his fur will fall out :(

@linlee5162

Жыл бұрын

So nervous 😩, I may clean my bear😰

“A little squirt...we all know a few of those” I cackled

Won't the Vanish cleaning foam destroy the fibres. I have a very threadbare Mothercare Panda from the 70s, his fur is mostly all gone and it's now disintergrating.. (It's 40 yrs old after all). I'm going to have yo re-fur him in places. As it is I'm sewing and darning holes everywhere.. I'd just hate to use some modern thing that might destroy the threads. For now I'm going to give him a bit of a clean with some Ecover washing up liquid somehow.

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

hi. we've had no problem with Vanish but Ecover is fantastic stuff. just be sure not to get his backing wet. Just use the foam. If most of his fur has gone, a gentle hoover may be best. Give us a call if you want to talk it through. x

@Wayniesgirl

4 жыл бұрын

How do you re fur a teddy?

The bear in this video looks so similar to my teddy as a kid. I’ve searched for something similar since mine was lost as a teenager due to a house fire. Can you tell me the brand or name?

What brand of bear is that and what kind is it?

What kind of foam?

I came across an old radio shack raccoon stuffed animal with a radio in it, and it is pretty filthy, but I hope I can bring it back to life on a side not the radio still works flawlessly.

Thanks for the video, Alice, I have been doing a lot research on how to properly clean stuffed animals, especially delicate/old ones. Do you have any experience on using baking soda and putting the toy in a bag for a few hours? Or maybe using domestic steam cleaners? I read many opinions, but you really seem like an expert.

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi keani1986. We've been a teddy hospital for 18 years so experienced but always happy to learn more. I might use baking soda to remove smells from musty bears but it has very little cleaning ability dry. I'd pop the soda into the bottom of an airtight tub and raise the bear above it on a plastic rack for example for 48 hours. Keeping a delicate bear dry is key so I wouldn't recommend a baking soda paste. For the same reason I'd stay away from steam cleaning which by it's nature forces moisture into the bear and that can be disasterous for joints, causing delamination and rotting of fillings. Of course, newer soft toys can be washed but even then I'd worry that steam cleaning is too harsh.

❤️Tender Loving Care❤️

Does this only work on teddy bears?

I need to do this to my teddy soon, very dirty and missing a nose thanks to the dog! Don't suppose you could do a tutorial on how to fix that? 😀

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Dog's and brothers are common reasons for patients to visit our teddy hospital. I'm afraid there's no tutorial but we do have a great medical team here if you need them. Just email us some photographs and we'll get back to you. xxx

Can you please follow a smaller more matted and flimsy bear Alice?

not sure if anyone’ll see this but my mohair teddy’s fur is starting to come out. he’s shedding everywhere and its easy to pull out a few strands. what could i do to stop the shedding?

What bear is this from?

My mum was given a plush toy lamb when she was about 10-12 years old. When I was around the same age, she gave it to me too. I’m 20 now, and she’s 44, and I’d love to get him all nice and clean again. Will this method work with woollen plushies ? He has rice in his legs now too from when mum was little. Will this have any impact ?

@alicesbearshop5272

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Kat Lia. When you say plush do you mean a synthetic fur? This method works on mohair and synthetic plush. The filling shouldn't matter because you are only cleaning the surface. Xxx

Do you have any ideas for faded fur it isn't fluffy at all and the eyes and the nose have fallen off it is a black and white and tiger

@laneyperkins840

3 жыл бұрын

You could try to change the stuffing but unless u know how to sew I wouldn't do it

Hey Alice, I still haven't found cleaning foam except for the industrial kind for carpets and automotive and what have you, however I am not about to even consider using that on my stuffed toy since he shares my bed and I can only imagine the chemicals. However I have discovered waterless foam for cleaning dogs fur. If it's formulated for real fur I wonder how it would react with faux fur. Any thoughts?

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Poppy Huff. I'll put in a little research and get back to you very soon. x

@alicesbearshop5272

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Poppy. I've done a little research into the waterless foam shampoos. It seems to be a very similar product to the fabric cleaning foam and should work just fine. Try a small patch first on both your teddy and your skin to make sure there is no reaction and please check out the ingredients. Most seem fine but a few have some harsh chemicals. Nothing like the industrial cleaners though. From what I can see, this Wahl foam shampoo looks like a very gentle and natural product. It is entirely plant based and comes in some lovely fragrances. www.amazon.com/Wahl-No-Rinse-Waterless-Lavender-Chamomile/dp/B00GZQYK4K/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501320512&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Wahl+100%25+Natural+Pet+No-Rinse+Waterless+Shampoo+Lavender

I have a plush that means the world to me. Hes a plush but he isnt furry. Hes more like a slightly fuzzy pillow case type material. Will this work?

@alicesbearshop5272

4 жыл бұрын

Yes it should. These foam cleaned are mostly used on upholstery. Do a test patch somewhere it won't show to test the colour fastness and shedding.

wheres the bear frommm please tell me