Having a beloved plushie with a missing or scratched eye is heartbreaking. In any case, you may need to know how to fix an eye on a stuffed animal to make it look cute again.
In this post, we guide you through simple steps for replacing an eye on a plush toy and repairing plastic eyes. You'll need a few materials and a short amount of time, depending on the method used, to repair your plushie.
How to put an eye back on a plushie?
If your dear plushie has lost an eye, you can put it back again or replace it with a new one.
Here's what you need to do if you still have the old eye and want to put it back:
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Clean the eye and the hole using a cloth to ensure there's no dirt.
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Use a very strong glue, like the E6000, which works perfectly on fabric. Allow the glue to cure for several hours as per the manufacturer's instructions for maximum strength.
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Put some glue on the edges of the hole.
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Use a Q-tip to put glue on the post of the eye.
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Insert it and hold it for a minute until it sets.
In case the eye is missing, then you have to look for a new one. Measure the other eye so you can find another craft eye of the same size. You have several options here, like buying a regular plastic eye or a safety eye.
Safety eyes are better because they come with a washer that secures it strongly, perfect if the stuffed toy belongs to a child. For children under three years old, consider embroidered or sewn eyes instead of plastic safety eyes for added safety.
Once you have the new eye, you must try inserting the washer through the hole. If the fabric is too tight and you can't stretch it enough to slide the washer in, then you have to widen the hole a little bit until you can put it inside. Then, you have to sew the hole shut. Don't worry as the eye will cover this; just be careful not to let the washer go. Insert the eye until you hear a pop sound, and that's it.
How to fix scratched eyes on stuffed toys?
Sometimes plushies may have scratches or clouding on their plastic eyes. This is very easy to fix; you just need to use a melamine sponge, also known as Magic Eraser, a mini buffer polisher, and an acrylic or plastic polisher.
Here's what you have to do to make your plushie's eyes like brand new:
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Use the melamine sponge or sandpaper to loosen all the grime. Since this removes a thin layer of the surface, you have to be careful using it. Go slow and don't rush it. Start with coarse sandpaper (e.g., 400 grit) and gradually move to finer grits (e.g., 2000 grit) for smoother results.
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With the mini buffer polisher, go through the eye slowly until you see how the surface starts to shine again.
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Apply a small amount of polishing compound to the eye using circular motions with a napkin or cloth. Use another cloth to buff and polish further.
You can continue using the mini buffer and applying the polishing compound until you reach the perfect finish.
While it's wonderful to restore a beloved stuffed animal, sometimes repairs become too difficult. If you're looking for a premium plush toy (either for yourself or as a thoughtful gift), our Happydandis collection features durable construction with securely attached safety features.
Each comes with a personalized message card, making it perfect for gifting to someone special or treating yourself.
