Half of parents wash their children's cuddly toys less than twice a year
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New research has revealed that parents are slightly behind with cleaning habits when washing their kids’ cuddly toys.
A survey of 2,000 parents by AO, found that nearly half (44 percent) only wash their children’s teddies once every six months or less.
In fact, 14 percent admitted they don’t recall ever washing their children’s cuddly toy.
This is despite nearly nine in ten (88 percent) parents knowing that teddies harbour germs and almost a third (31 percent) who said they’re also aware of the types of germs our cuddly friends gather.
When quizzed on the reasons for not washing these prized possessions, almost half (40 percent) of parents admitted they didn’t know cuddly toys require a frequent wash.
The same amount (40 percent) confessed they worry the washing machine will ruin their child’s prized possession.
Almost a quarter (24 percent) of parents don’t think germs will do their children any harm and 17 percent said they can’t prize the toy away from their children in order to wash it.
AO's large appliance expert Lauren Clark said: “If anything, the last 21 months has taught us how important it is to keep items clean, so it’s interesting to see in the data how kids’ teddies are rarely getting washed.
“We know children love having their cuddly friends with them and washing them is essential, in particular if their teddy is one, they sleep with at night and carry around with them constantly.
"It couldn’t be easier to keep teddies fresh and clean for your little ones without damaging them.
"Firstly, check the label and if they can be washed, pop them inside a pillowcase and in the washing machine on a 60-degree wash to help protect them.
"For those that can’t go on a regular wash cycle – pop them in a plastic bag and in the freezer overnight before washing on a gentle hand wash.”
The survey also found the items parents place the highest importance on when washing, with dusters (73 percent), hats, gloves, and scarves (70 percent) and pets’ toys (64 percent), all being prioritised for the wash ahead of kids’ cuddly toys (62 percent).
