Why You Shouldn't Put Pillow Pets in the Dryer

It was a rainy day...which means it was time to spruce up Marley's nursery. I decided that all the Pillow Pets needed a good wash. Bade (her sheep), Panda Bear, Whale (her Dolphin) and Bee all got jammed in the washer for a good suds-ing.

I read the instructions. They said to wash each Pillow Pet separately in a white pillow case and let them air dry. But really...who has time for that? I don't even own a white pillow case. What could happen? Certainly no terrible calamity would befall the Pillow Pets during a routine wash. So into the washer and dryer they went!

They emerged from the dryer looking...not so soft. And a little...singed! Sorta crispy, really. And what was that burnt polyester smell radiating through the garage?

Needless to say, I was devastated to witness Marley's family of Pillow Pets go from soft, plush animals like this:

To frazzled, bumpy, and not-so-soft, like this:

And here's what happened to poor "Bade."

Luckily, Marley was relatively unfazed by it all. "It's okay Mommy," she said, patting my back. "Bade is still soft....a little. He's a little soft."

Anyway, if you have any Pillow Pets, be sure to follow the washing instructions. And for goodness sakes...don't put them in the dryer!