How to wash a capybara without ruining it

A plush toy that cannot be cleaned is not really a plush toy, it is an ornament. Ours can be washed. They just prefer hands to machines.

The short version

Hood off, damp cloth first, hand wash at 30 C if it needs more, air dry, then brush. That is genuinely all of it.

The longer version

Take the capybara hood off and treat the two pieces separately. The hood is a simple plush shell and dries quickly. The bear is jointed, which means water takes longer to leave the limbs.

Start with a damp cloth and a drop of mild detergent. Most marks, most of the time, come off at this stage and you are finished in two minutes.

If it needs a full wash, fill a basin with 30 C water and a neutral detergent. No fabric softener, no bleach. Press the water through the plush rather than wringing it, which protects the joints and stops the pile from matting.

Drying

Squeeze gently, roll it in a towel to take out the worst of the water, then let it air dry away from radiators and direct sun. No tumble dryer. Heat mats the fibre permanently and the bear stops looking relaxed.

The part everyone forgets

When it is dry it will look terrible. This is normal. Brush the fur in one direction with a soft comb and it comes back. Five minutes of brushing is the difference between a washed bear and a ruined one.

What not to do

• No tumble dryer, no hairdryer, no radiator.
• No bleach and no fabric softener.
• Do not wash a bear with the hood still on. The two dry at different speeds.
• Do not soak the mini bear charms. Wipe the metal clasp dry so it does not mark the plush.