Thanks to the frigid cold weather, your kids have been cooped up indoors day and night, and their toys are getting more use than usual. If your son or daughter has been toting around a teddy bear or stuffed elephant that was once white and fluffy, and is now brown, matted, and torn, here’s how to bring it back to its former glory (or at least something close to it).

First, remove pilling with a lint brush, and comb through matted fur with a wire dog brush (available at pet stores). Then, get rid of loose dirt by stretching panty hose over a vacuum’s hose nozzle, and running it over the bear. For a deeper cleaning, pour a capful of baby shampoo into warm water, dampen a washcloth with the mixture, then rub in circles. Rinse with a clean, damp washcloth, and air-dry.

Facing a popped seam? Stitch it together with cotton embroidery thread using a durable ladder stitch. (For a tutorial video, visit blog.craftzine.com)

All set? Now go take care of the rest of the toys in the toy box, including Barbie, the action figures, and the dolls.