Many of our kids' favorite stuffed animals can be machine washed!  Some heirlooms or toys that can not be replaced need special care, but the majority can be washed easily and completely.

First, remove all surface dirt and make sure the toy is dry.  Then, put the animal in a plastic baggy (Hefty makes some HUGE ones...) and leave it in the freezer for at least 20 hours.  This kills all the dust mites that may cause allergies.

Remove the animal, or animals, from the freezer and plastic bags and place in a pillow case.  Some can share pillow cases.  12" Care bears, for example, can be washed two at a time in a king sized pillow case.  Use a rubber band or knot to close off the opening, and throw it in the wash.  Don't overstuff the washer, but you can wash a few sets at a time.  Wash in warm water and tumble in the dryer.  I just use Perm Press.

I wash all my son's stuffed animals once a month this way.  He has Care Bears, a plush Cookie Monster, plush letters, and other random stuffed animals and they ALL come out clean and smelling fresh.  I even wash his favorite bear (that says surface clean only) this way so it never looses it's "clean" smell.  I've been able to replace it twice, without him noticing, by telling him it's in the wash and washing the new one before giving it to him.  I know, tricky and lying, but he suffers without it :-)

Please note: Cabbage Patch Kids can NOT go in the dryer without adverse effects... I have successfully washed them before and hung them outside in the shade though.  Obviously, any talking toy can't be machine washed either, but you may be surprised by those rattling toys... most of the "rattles" are enclosed in a plastic box so the rattle stays dry.  Some times, it takes a few days of complete air drying to get the rattle back, but I have yet to loose a stuffed toy... except that unfortunate Cabbage Patch Kid... Again, I lied and said we mailed it to his cousin in Texas... "Sigh"

Please use your best judgment though... I always compare the cost of loosing the animal to the gains of easy washing... Only you know which toys are worth washing :-)