Cleaning Straw Stuffed Teddybear

[Backpacker]

Hi
I have unearthed my childhood teddy bear from the loft and he is in need of a good mend and clean. I am OK with the mending bit but how an earth do you clean a teddy bear stuffed with straw? Any ideas welcome. I cant afford to send him to a restorer and he's not a collectable bear.

[Eleena]

Steam gun possibly?

[Eleena]

These hand held steamers.

[bhg481]

DIY dry cleaning machine at your local launderette. It won't be the same if you clean it though (I don't mean physically, I mean feeling-wise).

[murraymints]

https://m.youtube.com/results?q=how%20to%20clean%20straw%20teddy%20bear&sm=3

anything here ?

[webbo3]

We use to have the dolls hospital in Bristol but I think its closed down but this place may be able to help.

https://alicesbearshop.co.uk/pages/teddy-hospital

https://www.yell.com/biz/gillian-richards-doll-and-bear-restoration-bristol-7329300/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4195642/Britain-s-teddy-bear-hospital-reveals-surge-demand.html


Dave.

[albaqwerty]

have no idea if a dry-cleaners could help?

however, that is one lucky and loved teddy bear :-)

[woofgang]

I am betting its not stuffed with straw but with woodshavings otherwise known as excelsior. Here's how I would do it (my hug numbers over 200 bears of all ages, none valuable) In the UK Stergene is what to use if you can't get woolite.
http://mysteifflife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/spring-cleaning-steiff-style.html

[atalanta]

Have you considered replacing the stuffing with something modern which could be cleaned more easily ? If the stuffing is exposed by the wear-and-tear it has suffered, and if it so very much loved, re-stuffing might be the answer, especially if it needs mending anyway.

[woofgang]

noooooooo please don't restuff an old bear unless its absolutely necessary

[woofgang]

in any case atalanta, if the bear is stuffed with excelsior, that argues a non synthetic skin as well which would suffer from being washed whether stuffed or not.

[Backpacker]

Thanks Wolfgang, I've just had a look at the bit poking through and it could be wood shavings. I don't want to risk taking him apart to re-stuff him as his fur is so thin (not really fur any more)
I will try wiping him down as in your video link but without the wire brush brushing!

[woofgang]

The other thing lovers of old bears do once the bear is as clean as possible and dry again, is put clothes on them to protect the fragile original fabric

[Backpacker]

Already thought of that. I'm knitting him a football kit.

[woofgang]

cool!

[douglas9401]

The Gers, The Teddy Bears. :-)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41kY-XtaJuL._SY355_.jpg

[Mamyalynne]

Jumpers for goalposts ;-)