Is it safe to let my children play with my old stuffed animals?

Question

My mom saved all my toys from when I was younger, and she recently brought them over to me to give to my kids. But I was wondering - will it be okay? The toys are mostly stuffed animals and dolls - nothing with lead paint, I am pretty sure.

They have been sitting in bags in my mom's storage room for about 20 years. I smelled them and they smell okay, not too musty but not brand new either. Most of the toys are either stuffed animals or Cabbage Patch dolls. So, what do you think? Will it be okay?

Answer 1

Yeah, I don't understand why it wouldn't be. I mean if they smell alright and everything.

Answer 2

Well I would give them a thurough washing just in case the bacteria that has gotten through the containers. So if it wasn't safe the bacteria were killed and they got a good cleaning too. If they weren't Oh well you were just being a good mother

Answer 3

it is safe as long as they are cleaned and dust free before you let your kids play  with them...

Answer 4

Was the storage room damp? If so, toss them.  You cannot eliminate mold spores.  If it was dry, just keep the ones that are clearly machine washable.

I do have stuffed toys that are old that do not smell and were kept dry, but I won't give them to my cousin's daughter to play with until she is at least 5 since they can't be thoroughly washed and dried. However, her mom is going to put them up on the wall to decorate her stuffed animal mecca (toys include an original Snuffleupagus as well as a large monkey).

My suggestions are overly cautious.  If it were not for my brother's dust mite allergy, my advice would have been quite different.

edited to add: I find the one poster's comment interesting. Your child shouldn't play with the toys, but that you should donate them to Salvation Army for another child?  Does that even make sense?  Heck, we buy toys from garage sales all the time -  just want to be sure that you can wash and dry them.  Do not donate toys you would not allow your own children to play with.

Answer 5

It really don't matter to me because that's the horse of the different color. LOL!

Answer 6

You can put the stuffies in the washing machine to freshen them up a little bit.  Just check the eyes to make sure they're securley sewn on, in case you have little ones who like to put things in their mouths.

Answer 7

yes if their was yours when you were little than yeah you should

Answer 8

NO, they probably are loaded with germs, and caked on dirt. If I were you I would donate them to the salvation army and go out and buy a couple good  stuffed animals. Maybe, let the kids pick them out, that way they will enjoy the stuffed animal/toys more. If you are low on cash, I would recommend shopping for new toys either on black friday ( lol if your daring)  or I would get them after the holiday. If your not, take them up to Build A Bear Workshop, let them create their own "special friend"  and they will cherish that animal for years. Again, say goodbye to the old animals, and allow your kids to pick out their own toys.

Answer 9

It will be o k. Kids loved stuff toys very much specially the babies. But be sure to remove the dust first or else they will get a runing nose.

Answer 10

yeah. see with what they are stuffed though, if it's feathers or something organical not good, if it's just cotton and stuff no problem. I've played with  my mother's favorite teddy bear when I was little and that thing must be 40 years old now. no problem with it at all.