Stuffed toys wash best in pantyhose

By ANNE B. ADAMS and NANCY NASH-CUMMINGS

DEAR ANNE AND NAN: Can you please tell me how to clean stuffed animals? I have washed them in the machine and then put them in the dryer on low, and the result is stuffing in lumps or more stuffing in one part than the other. I also would like to know if scented oil for oil-burning lamps is available. I haven't been able to find any. I was told by one saleslady that it isn't available, because scented oil has chemicals in it that are combustible. I have rings that fit over lightbulbs, and I can put drops of oil in the rings --- is this oil OK to put in the lamp oil? --- KATHERINE E. DEVOE, Burlington, N.J.

DEAR KATHERINE: A while back, reader Jeanette Waldron, of Claremont, N.H., told us she had lots of experience washing stuffed animals. Her oldest daughter had some 50 stuffed toys that she lined up to "teach." Jeanette said, "When it came time to clean these 'pupils,' I queried everyone I knew. My best answer was to put the toys to be washed in a pair of pantyhose and tie securely. It worked like a charm --- we never lost a pupil. I used a mild soap, like Ivory, and a regular wash cycle." Hang the animals to dry.

Pleasantly scented lamp oil is available from the Cumberland General Store. It is a high-quality oil, and nearly all of the sulfur has been removed. The oil comes in red, green, blue and clear. Ann Ebert, president of the store thinks that if you were to add a drop or two of a scented essential oil to the clear lamp oil, it would probably produce a nice fragrance. We haven't tried this , however, so take care.

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