I have two DDs who always had lots of "stuffies", so I had to learn to wash them. I have always had very good luck putting them in individual pillow cases closed with non-metal ponytail holders. When they are washed, I stuff them through the middle of plastic hangers or pin them to them, and hang them either outside during nice weather, or in the bath during colder weather. Most take about 24 hours to dry inside, much quicker outside. The one "cheaply made" stuffy that fell apart, was kept contained in the pillow case and easy to empty into the trash. Since you don't know the origin of your "critters" I would use this method.