Preparing, Packing And Storing Your Plush Toys Properly
Plush toys may seem easy enough to store, but if they aren't prepared for storage properly, they won't come out of storage in the same condition in which they went in. Below, you will find a few tips that will help you keep your plush toys in great condition while they are stored.
Get them Clean
You don't want to store dirty plush toys. If you store them dirty, they could become discolored and smell terrible when you get them back out of storage.
If the plush you have are machine washable, run them through the wash. For those that aren't washable, give them good hand-cleaning -- a surface cleaning at the least -- and lay them out to dry.
Tip: To dry the toys more quickly, get a box fan, set two chairs facing each other and place the fan on top of them. Set the plush toys on top of the fan and the quickly moving air will expedite the drying process substantially.
Pack them Up
Once they are clean and dry, it's time to get packing. There are two things you must remember when packing plush toys –
- Don't store them in airtight containers – Airtight containers will trap any remaining moisture in with the plush toys and cause mold and mildew growth.
- Don't stack them on top of each other – Stacking the plush will cause them to become deformed.
To use one large box for several of your plush toys, start by tossing a few silica gel packets in the bottom of the box. Next, get some extra cardboard to cut up and use it to make dividers and platforms. Lay some plush on the bottom of the box, position a few pieces of cardboard vertically to support a sheet of cardboard to lay on top for the next layer of plush toys.
Store Them
For the best results, store the plush toys somewhere that won't experience extreme high temperatures and high humidity levels. If you live in an area that is likely to experience these climates, consider renting a storage unit that offers the climate-control feature. This will ensure that the things stored inside aren't exposed to heat and humidity which will destroy most things that you would put in the storage unit. If you're looking for a self-storage company, contact one like Northwest Self Storage.
Take your time as you plan, prepare and pack your plush toys. Doing it right will preserve them for many months or even years.