Labubus are everywhere. You may catch a glimpse of the trendy little monsters with long, rabbit-like ears and menacing grins attached to handbags, decorating desks in the office, and even hanging from belt loops — some people even plan and buy Halloween costumes for their fuzzy companions.
As cute (?) as they are, Labubus can get quite dirty. Think about it: they’re bumping against the bus seat and fellow commuters, getting sniffed by your dog, and touching who knows what else as you go about your day. How many times have you put your bag on the floor at a restaurant or next to you on a public bench? If you constantly carry your Labubu around with you, it’s safe to say it’s touching many less-than-spotless surfaces.
But don’t worry, we have the best advice for cleaning your Labubu, courtesy of the GH Cleaning Lab. Thankfully, Labubu fur is primarily made of polyester, which is easy to clean, according to Carolyn Forté, the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab.
On the other hand, a Labubu's face, hands, and feet are made of PVC and ABS plastics and painted with specialized acrylic paints. One common issue Labubu owners encounter is their monster’s faces, particularly the brow area,becoming stained from rubbing against their bag or clothing materials throughout the day (which can happen with denim and other dyed fabrics).
How to clean your Labubu
You may be thinking: I'll just toss my Labubu in the washing machine. Don't do it! Labubus come with care tags that recommend the following: Hand wash, maximum temperature 40°C (104°F), do not bleach, do not tumble dry, line dry in shade, do not iron, and do not dry clean.
Before hand washing, Forté recommends vacuuming your furry friends with a soft dusting brush attachment, or brushing it lightly with a soft brush to remove any dust or dirt. Then, follow these steps:
- Mix one cup of lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap (1/4 tsp) in a bowl. ("Don't use too much soap or it will be hard to rinse out,” Forté cautions.)
- Dip a soft cloth or brush (like a baby’s toothbrush) in the solution and gently scrub the face and other plastic parts of the body, as well as the fuzzy part of the toy.
- Rinse your Labubu thoroughly by dipping it in clean water, or use a damp cloth or spray bottle.
- Squeeze out the excess water and let it air dry away from the sun to avoid discoloration.
- Once it’s dry, fluff the fur by hand, with a soft brush, or with a hair dryer on low, cool heat.
- If you want to kill bacteria, use a sanitizing spray like Clorox Disinfecting Mist according to label directions and let it hair dry.
Labubus may collect a lot of dirt throughout the day, but as long as you have a cleaning routine, you can ensure your companion remains clean and presentable for longer.
“Clean it whenever it starts to look dirty and dingy,” Forté recommends. “And keep in mind, the dirtier it gets, the harder it will be to clean.”
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
