Common household item that 1 in 5 never wash as experts say 'do it monthly'
If you're a parent you may well find yourself tripping over toys and cuddly toys strewn across the house. But as well as being your child's comfort, teddy bears and soft toys are something a staggering amount of people admit to never washing.
That's despite them being a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, allergens and dust mites. They may be well loved but new research has found that parents avoid washing teddy bears and cuddly companions for a number of reasons.
However, experts at AO.com say they should be washed monthly to ensure they're aren't passing on anything nasty.
Parents admit there are many reasons they avoid washing these snuggly bedtime buddies, travel companions, and comforters in times of need.
A survey of 2,000 Brits uncovered this surprising hygiene blind spot in UK households.
It found that more than one in five people (21 per cent) admit they've never washed their children's teddy bears or cuddly toys, despite 83% knowing they can carry germs.
And that's despite 83 per cent admitting they know they can be harbouring all sorts of germs.
Almost a third of Brits (32 per cent) say there's simply 'no reason' they haven't done it, whilst 15.6 per cent worry they'll get damaged in the machine.
A further 6 per cent fear they'll lose their familiar scent.
Katy Roberts, AO's washing machine expert, said that mums and dads should be washing these constant companions every month.
She said: "As a rule of thumb, try to wash your teddy bear every month – particularly if they're regularly handled.
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"Blankets you should pop in the washing machine once every fortnight to help keep them fresh. Your teddies and blankets can easily harbour dust mites and allergens so err on the side of caution and stick them in your washing machine when they're dirty."
If you're worried about destroying them, she has some advice.
She added: "It's completely understandable that many of us are worried about washing our teddies at home, however with a few handy tips, there's no need to stress.
"If your furry companion is looking a bit worse for wear, there's nothing finer for it than popping your teddy bear into your washing machine.
To clean them properly, check your care label and if this has worn away over the years, then put on a gentle, cold wash with a mild detergent to be on the safe side.
'If your teddy has seen better days and is more on the delicate side, then use a soft cloth or sponge with shampoo and dab away at any dirty areas. Leave this to air dry naturally and you can even give this a quick fluff with a soft brush for a magic touch to finish."
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