How to Clean and Care for Plastic Animal Figurines

Quick answer

Wash plastic animal figurines by hand in lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap and a soft cloth or baby toothbrush, then rinse and air-dry fully before storing. Skip hot water, alcohol, bleach, and the dishwasher, because they can dull paint or weaken joints. For everyday dust, a dry microfiber cloth is enough.

Plastic animal figurines collect dust, fingerprints, and the occasional sticky mystery, but they do not need harsh products to get clean. A five-minute hand wash with lukewarm water and mild soap keeps paint, texture, and detail intact.

The method matters more than the supplies. Hot water, alcohol, and abrasive scrubbers can fade hand-painted finishes or loosen glued parts, so this guide walks through a safe order of steps and the mistakes to avoid along the way.

Start with dry dusting before any water

Dust is the most common problem and the easiest to fix. Before you introduce water, wipe the figure with a dry microfiber cloth or a soft makeup brush, working from the head down so loosened dust falls away from the face. This step removes surface grit that could otherwise scratch paint during washing.

Do this weekly or whenever the figure looks dull. Dry dusting also lets you check for loose legs, chipped paint, or sticky residue before those issues get worse. If the figure is only dusty, stop here, because water is not always necessary.

• Use a separate cloth for light-colored figures so dust from darker pieces does not transfer.

Wash by hand with lukewarm water and mild soap

Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add one drop of mild dish soap. Submerge the figure briefly, then clean crevices with a soft baby toothbrush or a cotton swab. Pay attention to textured areas like fins, manes, and hooves, where grime hides.

Rinse under running lukewarm water until no soap remains. Soap residue attracts dust, so a thorough rinse is part of the cleaning, not an optional extra. If a figure has a hollow base, tilt it so water drains out.

• Never use hot water, bleach, alcohol, acetone, or abrasive cleansers, as they can damage paint and plastic.

Dry completely before storing

Shake off excess water and pat the figure dry with a soft towel. Then let it air-dry in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sun or heat, which can warp plastic over time. Give hollow figures extra time so moisture does not stay trapped inside.

Storing a damp figure is the fastest way to get a musty smell or cloudy finish. If you are packing a collection away, wait until every piece is fully dry, then wrap each figure in acid-free tissue or a soft cloth.

• A quick touch test: if the surface feels cool or slick, it is still damp.

Handle and store figures to prevent future damage

Most wear comes from handling, not cleaning. Hold figures by the body rather than thin legs, tails, or fins, and keep them off hot car dashboards and windowsills. Sunlight and heat are the main causes of fading and warping in plastic toys.

For storage, use a lidded bin or shelf away from direct light. If you keep figures on display, a covered shelf or a light dusting routine does more for long-term condition than any deep clean.

• Rotate displayed figures every few months so no single piece sits in direct light year-round.

Your 6-step figurine cleaning routine

1. 1. Dust dry first: Wipe the figure with a dry microfiber cloth or soft brush, working from head to base. Checkpoint: if the figure looks clean after this, skip the water entirely.
2. 2. Mix lukewarm soapy water: Add one drop of mild dish soap to a bowl of lukewarm water. Common mistake: using hot water, which can dull paint and soften glue.
3. 3. Wash gently: Clean the surface and crevices with a soft baby toothbrush or cotton swab. Common mistake: scrubbing textured areas like fins or manes too hard.
4. 4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse under lukewarm running water until no soap remains, tilting hollow figures to drain. Checkpoint: soap residue left behind will attract dust faster.
5. 5. Air-dry fully: Pat dry with a soft towel, then let the figure air-dry away from sun and heat. Common mistake: storing a figure while it is still damp.
6. 6. Store and handle with care: Keep figures out of direct sunlight and hold them by the body, not thin parts. Next step: dust your display every week or two to avoid another deep clean.

What this means for specific Mojo Fun USA figures

• Great White Shark: Hand-painted with detailed features from serrated teeth to textured fins. The fine paint and textured fins are exactly the areas that benefit from a soft brush and gentle soap instead of scrubbing.
• Clydesdale Horse Brown: Hand-painted and made from polyvinyl chloride, designed by artisans in the UK. PVC is durable for play but can still dull with hot water or harsh cleaners, so lukewarm hand washing protects the finish.
• Farm Figure Mini Worlds Playset: A 12-piece set of farm animal figures made from polyvinyl chloride. With 12 pieces, a quick dry dusting routine for the whole set is faster than washing each figure individually.

Cleaning plastic animal figurines comes down to lukewarm water, mild soap, soft tools, and patience with drying. Follow the steps above and your figures will stay detailed and display-ready for years of play.