Shock figures on bacteria in your child’s teddy bear

Up to 25 per cent of children’s teddy bears contain bacteria linked to faeces, that was just one of the findings in study on bacteria in cuddly toys.
What bacteria are lurking in the innocent teddy bear?What bacteria are lurking in the innocent teddy bear?
What bacteria are lurking in the innocent teddy bear?

It was also claimed that with over 90% of children regularly dropping their beloved teddy bears on the floor, they can also have a life full of dirt and germs.

New laboratory research conducted by Dettol has revealed cuddly toys have the highest levels of bacteria in the family laundry basket and that three out of four teddy bears do not get washed after a child is ill.

Microbiologists swab-tested a variety of children’s teddies and found that over 80% were contaminated with staphylococcus spp (a pathogen associated with food poisoning) and almost a quarter contained coliforms, indicating a possible presence of harmful organisms.

The Dettol Care For Your Bear campaign, supported by Hygiene Expert Dr Lisa Ackerley, aims to raise awareness of germs and bacteria found on teddies and soft toys. With almost three quarters of children putting teddies in their mouth, the campaign helps parents protect their family’s health.

Dr Lisa Ackerley comments; “Anything that children put in their mouth should be hygienically cleaned but it is often difficult to get a child to let you wash their favourite teddy, which means they can become very dirty. I would recommend regularly washing them in a machine at a low temperature but including something to kill the germs such as Dettol Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser which kills 99.9% of bacteria during the washing process.”

Dettol Care For Your Bear guide -

Wash at a low temperature with an anti-bacterial laundry cleanser – to prevent damage, wash teddy at a low temperature using an anti-bacterial laundry cleanser which works alongside your usual detergent. Dettol Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser kills 99.9% of bacteria, and will leave your bear feeling soft, smelling fresh and hygienically clean.

Avoid cross contamination – Avoid washing teddy bear with regular laundry, especially dirty tea towels and underwear. This will help to prevent discolouration and eliminate cross contamination of bacteria from other garments.

Dry teddy naturally - When possible dry teddy naturally, tumble dryers can be too harsh on most soft toys and increase the risk of damage to shape, fur and smaller parts like little eyes.

For extra protection - You can pop teddy in a netted laundry bag or pillow case before he goes in the wash to provide a protective layer, minimising damage whilst keeping any fur soft and fluffy.

Give teddy a sponge bath - Small smudges and build ups of dirt are common and expected for a well-loved teddy. For a quick wash dilute 1 cap of Dettol Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser to 2.5L of warm water and sponge clean.

View ‘A Day In The Life Of A Teddy’ video at: https://spink.sharefile.com/d-s3f4adfcb65e407c9

Dettol are encouraging parents and children to get involved with the Care For Your Bear campaign –share pictures of your teddy on the Dettol Care For Your Bear Twitter page @DettolTeddy #careforyourbear. Entrants will automatically be in with a chance to win a Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser.

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