Heimlich Heroes Blog
Apr 17, 2020
Posted By Heimlich Heroes
Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
Now more than ever (thank you COVID-19) we all are seeing the need for clean hands – and clean objects around us. My mom was a nurse and we lived on a farm. I remember many times when we’d be baking and mom would wipe down the counter space and the kitchen table and say, “If you’re going to help, you need to wash your hands first.” I’d wash my hands, put the apron on and push my hair behind my ears, and I’d hear, “oops, go wash your hands – you touched your hair”. I remember one of these days very vividly - I think I washed my hands at least ten times in the time it took to make a batch of cookies! I miss my mom who passed away a few years back, but I remember her lessons well.
As you prepare to do your Heimlich Heroes training events, you can do a deeper clean on the plush training dolls too when needed – just be sure to leave plenty of time for it to dry.
Steps to Clean the Plush Training Dolls*:
1. Begin by filling a bowl with clean, warm water.
2. Add a small amount of laundry detergent and stir well to mix.
3. Dip the washcloth in the soapy mixture. DO NOT SUBMERGE THE DOLL. You want to get the cloth wet, but not soaked.
4. Gently scrub the outside of the plush. Using a circular motion, rub the entire stuffed animal down. Gently scrubbing any trouble spots. For a particularly troublesome spot, use a clean toothbrush to scrub a little harder.
5. Rinse by rubbing the surface with a clean cloth moistened with plain water.
6. Repeat as necessary until as much of the soap is removed as possible.
7. Allow the doll to air dry completely in a warm, dry spot.
8. To remove odors, sprinkle the plush with baking soda. You can also mix in a small amount of vinegar with the cleaning water above.
9. Wait several hours or a day or two, then vacuum free of baking soda and odors.
Additional Tips and Advice
Don’t use regular soap or excess amounts of detergent. If you leave residue behind on the surface of the doll, it will attract more dirt and the plush object will become soiled again more quickly.
* Note: The above technique can also be used on other plush toys (just be sure if the toy has batteries, to remove them first).
As we think about the new normal, be sure to clean and sanitize regularly. Let’s keep each other safe and healthy! See our previous blog for a tip on sanitizing: Why we are all so concerned about the virus.
