A savvy shopper has revealed her remarkable transformation of a heavily soiled Jellycat bunny purchased from Vinted, demonstrating how to restore second-hand plush toys to their former glory.
The Grimy Vinted Purchase
Emma, who shares her passion on TikTok as @jellycats.and.me, purchased a light grey Bashful Bunny through the popular resale platform. Upon its arrival in November 2025, she discovered the toy was in worse condition than anticipated, describing it as potentially the "worst Jellycat" she had ever bought from Vinted.
The well-loved bunny arrived covered in what Emma identified as a "boat-load of hair", specifically pet hair that floated out of the packaging upon opening. Despite the camera struggling to capture the extent of the contamination, Emma confirmed the toy required significant attention before joining her collection.
The Step-by-Step Restoration Process
Emma began the restoration by using a lint roller to remove as much hair and debris as possible from the plush toy's surface. This initial step proved crucial for preparing the bunny for deeper cleaning.
She then placed the Jellycat in the washing machine for a 40-minute cycle, ensuring a thorough clean that would address ground-in dirt and stains. After the wash, the bunny emerged looking dramatically different - its fur appeared fluffier and significantly cleaner, though still retaining some character from its previous ownership.
The final stage involved careful drying and grooming. Emma used a hairdryer on a cold setting to fluff the fur without causing damage, followed by brushing and trimming around the eyes to perfect the bunny's appearance.
Official Jellycat Cleaning Guidance
The Jellycat website provides specific care instructions that owners should consult before cleaning their plush toys. According to their UK site, many products can be machine washed at 30 degrees, while others require surface cleaning by hand.
The company explicitly advises against tumble drying, ironing, or dry cleaning any of their toys. They emphasize checking individual product labels and online care instructions before proceeding with any cleaning method.
Commenters on Emma's video shared additional tips, including the effectiveness of using a cold hairdryer setting rather than radiator drying, which can leave toys looking unchanged after washing.
