Keeping Beanie Boos looking their best (and those heart tags safe)

A well loved Beanie Boo leads a hard life. It gets dragged to kinder, dropped at the shops, slept on, sneezed on and occasionally dunked in something. Here is how to keep them presentable without ruining them.

For everyday grime, surface cleaning is the way. A cloth dampened with mild soapy water, a gentle rub on the affected area, then air drying away from direct heat. That handles most of what childhood throws at a plush toy.

Try to avoid the washing machine, please. The glittery eyes are the concern, since they can scratch, cloud or loosen, and the machine can also mat the fur.

If a Boo has suffered something a surface clean cannot fix, hand wash gently in lukewarm water, press (never wring) the water out with a towel, and let it air dry completely. Brushing the fur lightly once dry helps it fluff back up.

Two more enemies worth knowing about. Direct sunlight will fade a Boo faster than you expect, so display shelves are best kept away from bright windows. And dust settles into fur on display pieces, so a soft brush or a light going-over every few weeks keeps a collection looking fresh.

Always, be gentle in caring for your Ty Beanie Boo.

Now, the tags. For collectors, the heart tag is part of the value, and a bent or torn tag is a small tragedy. Clear plastic tag protectors cost very little and slip straight over the heart tag. For toys that are collected rather than cuddled, fit protectors from day one.

Some kids will remove tags right away. That's okay, unless you bought the Boo for a long term collection, for future value.

Every Boo we sell here at www.beanieboosaustralia.com arrives brand new with pristine tags. Keeping them that way is over to you.