Cleaning sticky toys can restore their feel and appearance, often requiring just a few simple steps.
Sticky toys, especially popular squishy ones, can easily pick up lint, dust, and other debris, making them feel unpleasant. Fortunately, cleaning them is a straightforward process.
Effective Methods for Cleaning Sticky Toys
One common issue with sticky toys is the accumulation of lint and particles from their surroundings. The reference mentions a practical method for dealing with this stickiness.
Using a Tea Towel
According to the provided reference (from a YouTube video titled "How to Clean Squishy Sticky Toys!"), a recommended method involves using a tea towel.
Here's how you might use this technique:
- Ensure the tea towel is clean and, importantly, does not have too much lint itself.
- Gently blot, roll, or wipe the sticky surface of the toy with the tea towel.
- The towel should help lift and remove the sticky residue and attached debris.
This method is preferred as it is less likely to damage the toy compared to other techniques.
What to Avoid
The reference specifically warns against using tape to remove lint from sticky toys. While it might seem intuitive, the video creator notes that using tape can actually damage the toy. This suggests that aggressive methods or materials could compromise the toy's texture or integrity.
General Tips for Cleaning Toys
Beyond specific methods for stickiness, general toy cleaning practices apply:
- Spot Cleaning: For small sticky spots, sometimes a gentle rub with a slightly damp cloth is enough.
- Mild Soap and Water: For more extensive stickiness or dirt, a gentle wash with mild soap and cool or lukewarm water can be effective. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
- Drying: After cleaning with water, ensure the toy is dried properly. Air drying is often best, but avoid direct heat which could deform some materials.
Maintaining Cleanliness
To keep sticky toys clean longer:
- Store them in a container or area away from dusty surfaces.
- Wash hands before playing with them.
- Clean them regularly, even if they don't appear overtly dirty, to prevent stickiness build-up.
By using gentle methods like the tea towel technique and avoiding potentially damaging practices like using tape, you can effectively clean sticky toys and keep them in good condition.
