Because my DDs had a thing for stuffed friends, I had to figure out how to clean them. My method never cause any "deaths" so I can recommend it. I would use a new pair of panties and safety pins to cover the yarn hair making sure it was not roughed up, put the whole thing into a pillow case, secure the pillow case closed with a 'metal free' ponytail holder. Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water with woo lite. I put them in the dryer for about twenty minutes to start them drying, then used a clothes pin to attach it to a clothes hanger, and hung it on the shower rod. They were usually dry in a day or two at most. No muss, no fuss, and they were really clean.