Cleaning an old bear can be a scary undertaking since you are worried about further damage or wear. The following is the best method I have found and I would like to give credit to teddy bear artist Deanna Brittsan for sharing this method with us.

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You will need two or three white, inexpensive washcloths (no colored cloths please) and water - that's it for supplies! Wet the washcloths and wring out. Now begin to wipe down the entire bear, face, arms, legs, ears, tummy - everything! They may giggle at this point because some of them are very ticklish! Wipe with about as much force as you would a very small child who has been playing in the mud. You don't want to get the backing too wet either. You will be very suprised at how much surface dirt and grime comes off. Move your washcloth to a new spot frequently. DO NOT USE ANY SOAP OR SOAP FOAM OR BEAR BATH! It will only add a further residue to attract more dirt.

Use your second and/or third cloth to go over the bear again. Let the bear dry overnight and do not put him in the sun or use a hair dryer. If the bear is very dirty you may want to repeat the entire process two or three times allowing a couple of days between "baths."

At this point I am sure you are thinking that this seems too simple and that the bear will not be clean. But I assure you that Deanna restores a great many old, very damaged bears and this is the only method she uses. In these pictures I am cleaning my old Knickerbocker bear from the 1930's and he looks marvelous now. His fur is clean, shiny and silky! Have fun cleaning your old bears - Talk to them while you are working - they have wonderful stories to tell!

The above method works beautifully for old bears and of course may be used for your newer artist bear collection if they get soiled. But the major problem with a new collection is dust, dust, dust! Seems silly to say, but the best advice is to play with your bears! Move them around in new displays and location. Take one or two on an outing with you. A little vacuuming never hurt. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum - a clean one please. Or, take them outside a few at a time and turn your blow dryer on them to blow the dust off. Don't do this inside or you will be sneezing and coughing! Bears tend to laugh hysterically when you do this - blows the fur around their eyes and tickles them! But the whole experience will give you both a fun filled few minutes. Take good care of your teddies and enjoy them! They will always take care of you!