Frequently asked questions
How do I care for my teddy?
Love him and give him lots of cuddles.
How do I keep him looking smart?
Most new teddies will come with instructions on
how to keep them looking their best. If you don't have instructions,
or if he is an older bear, take care, it is usually not
a good idea to immerse teddies in water, it os not good
for his fur or his stuffing.
If he is just looking a bit dull and dusty, include him in the vacuum cleaning schedule. Use the upholstery, or curtain attachment for your vacuum cleaner and give him a spruce up. This should remove most accumulated dust and grime.
Another thing to try is the hair dryer, on the cold air setting. This will blow the dust off and tidy up his fur.
How do I deal with serious stains and soiling?
For more soiled teddies, try to treat the areas which have
become stained, with suitable remedies for the type of stain.
For food stains, perhaps a rub with a damp cloth is all
that may be required.
If there are deeper stains, ball point pen, felt tip pen, paint or other stubborn soiling, use household cleaners specific to the substance you are trying to remove. It is best to try a little on an unobtrusive area first, just in case there is discolouring.
If the poor wee thing has had a major disaster and is just covered in oil or something, there is really nothing else to do but put him in the washing machine and hope for the best. An old bear with a few battle scars is almost always preferable to losing a good friend.
Are teddies safe to give to small children?
We must start on the assumption that teddies are not safe to give
to small children, particularly to babies. They
have fur, eyes, stuffing,
arms which can be pulled, and often have ornaments or other adornments sewn
on to them.
So, we must be very careful when thinking about giving them to children. New teddies should come with instructions on ages of children they are considered safe for. However, this should always be taken in the context of how they are to be used. A small child can often be given teddies and many other things to play with under one to one supervision, long before they can have them with them in their bed at night for example.
What maintenance is required for teddy bears?
It is essential to check teddy bears, as with other toys,
on a regular basis. Make sure there is nothing loose or broken,
taking great care to check the eyes for looseness or damage.
Check arms and legs for coming loose and sew up
any joints before they come loose enough to allow stuffing or
other contents to escape.