Ziggy Plush Care: Keeping Your Ziggy Soft and Clean
By Bukowski Bears | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step guide to cleaning and maintaining your Ziggy plush so the fur stays soft, the embroidered face stays crisp, and the holiday magic lasts for years.
Quick answer
Clean Ziggy Santa's Little Helper with a gentle hand wash in cool water and mild soap, then air-dry him fully before fluffing the fur. Spot-clean small marks with a damp cloth to avoid unnecessary washing. Never put him in a hot dryer or use harsh bleach, which can ruin the plush elf suit and embroidered face.
Why Ziggy's details need a gentler routine
Ziggy isn't a basic bear. His plush red elf suit, jingly pom-tipped hat, candy-stripe sleeves, and tiny belt buckle are sewn-on details that can snag or fade with rough washing. The snowy-white face and twinkly embroidered eyes also hold up best when you avoid scrubbing. That's why the steps below lean on cool water, minimal agitation, and air-drying rather than a standard washing machine cycle.
If you're caring for other Bukowski Bears plush at the same time, the same logic applies to anything with a hood, scarf, or faux-fur trim. Jacob's plush blue hoodie and Baby Benny X-Mas's Santa hat and red scarf are all surface details that benefit from the same low-abrasion approach. When in doubt, treat every plush with added trim as hand-wash only.
Supplies to keep on hand
You don't need a specialty kit. A clean basin or bowl, cool water, a few drops of mild liquid soap (baby shampoo or gentle dish soap works), a soft microfiber cloth, and a clean towel are enough. Skip fabric softener, bleach, and enzyme-heavy stain removers unless the label specifically says they're safe for plush.
For drying, a small fan or a well-ventilated room helps more than direct sun. Sunlight can fade the red elf suit over time, so keep Ziggy in a shaded spot while he dries.
Step-by-step Ziggy cleaning routine
- 1. Check the care tag and pre-treat marks: Look for a sewn-in care label before you get Ziggy wet. If you see a spot, dab it gently with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Common mistake: rubbing hard on the embroidered eyes or the belt buckle, which can distort the stitching. Checkpoint: the spot should lift with light pressure, not scrubbing. If the tag says surface wash only, stop here and spot-clean from now on.
- 2. Hand wash in cool water: Fill a basin with cool water and a few drops of mild soap. Submerge Ziggy and gently squeeze the suds through the plush for about a minute. Don't wring, twist, or scrub the elf suit. Common mistake: using hot water, which can shrink the fabric and dull the red color. Checkpoint: the water should look lightly cloudy, not dirty brown. If the water turns very dark, repeat with fresh cool water and a smaller amount of soap.
- 3. Rinse until the water runs clear: Drain the basin and refill with cool water. Press down on Ziggy gently to push soapy water out, then lift and repeat until no suds remain. Common mistake: leaving soap residue in the fur, which attracts dirt and makes the plush feel stiff. Checkpoint: squeeze a small section of fur—if it feels slick, keep rinsing. Two or three rinses are normal for a plush this size.
- 4. Roll in a towel to remove excess water: Lay Ziggy on a clean, dry towel and roll the towel up like a jelly roll. Press firmly with your palms to blot out water. Do not twist the towel or hang Ziggy by the hat. Common mistake: wringing the plush like a dishrag, which can pull seams and flatten the pom-pom. Checkpoint: the plush should feel damp, not dripping. If the towel is soaked, swap it for a dry one and repeat.
- 5. Air-dry away from direct heat and sun: Place Ziggy on a dry towel or drying rack in a well-ventilated room. Turn him over halfway through drying so the back and the elf suit dry evenly. Keep him out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or hair dryers. Common mistake: using a hot dryer, which can melt synthetic plush fibers and crack the embroidered face. Checkpoint: after several hours, feel the deepest part of the stuffing—if it's cool or damp, keep drying. Most plush take 12–24 hours to dry fully, depending on humidity.
- 6. Fluff the fur and reshape: Once Ziggy is completely dry, gently brush the fur with your fingers or a soft-bristled baby brush. Fluff the pom-pom on the hat and straighten the candy-stripe sleeves and belt buckle. Common mistake: brushing while the plush is still damp, which stretches the fibers and leaves a matted look. Checkpoint: the fur should spring back when you press it. A quick fluff after each cuddle session keeps Ziggy looking new between washes.
Ziggy and friends: care notes from the catalog
- Ziggy Santa's Little Helper - Red: Ziggy Santa's Little Helper - Red is designed in Sweden by Bukowski Bears and wears a plush red elf suit with a jingly pom-tipped hat, candy-stripe sleeves, and a tiny belt buckle. Those attached details are the first things to snag or lose shape, so hand washing and air-drying protect the outfit better than a machine cycle.
- Jacob: Jacob has buttery-soft cream fur, delicately embroidered features, and a plush blue hoodie with bear ears. If you're washing Jacob alongside Ziggy, the same cool-water, no-bleach routine keeps the cream fur from matting and the hoodie from pilling.
- Baby Benny X-Mas: Baby Benny X-Mas is a mini moose with a plush Santa hat trimmed in fluffy faux fur, a cozy red scarf, and a gently weighted feel. Faux fur trim and a weighted body need thorough drying to prevent clumping, so give Benny extra air-dry time after any spot clean.
