The Beanie Princess's

Collecting Tips

So you want to collect Beanie Babies... First thing's first. Before you go out to buy a Beanie Baby, do lots of research. Print out a copy of the Beanie Babies Values. Also, go and look around at some sites on the web, and know your stuff. This way, when you go out to buy them, you'll know how much to pay, and won't get ripped off by people who know they can get lots of money of off Beanies. They will tell you a Beanie is retired, and when you tell them it isn't, they will insist that it is going to retire soon. So be prepared.
Next, you have to make a decision. Are you collecting Beanies for money or for fun? If you are collecting them for money, invest in some Tag protectors, such as Tag Bags or Tag Preservers. If you are getting your Beanies for fun, you might want to remove their hang tags. Pull the plastic attachment carefully through the Beanie's ear, wing, etc., making sure you don't rip the tag. Then, put the tags somewhere safe. If you buy a Beanie that has price tag glue on it's tag, use a product such as Goo-Gone to remove it.
You're also going to have to decide how to store your Beanies. If you are collecting them for money, you may want to store them in air-tight containers. If you are collecting them for fun, you might put them on a shelf, or purchase a 3-tier hanging vegetable bin to hang from your ceiling. (Picture coming soon)
Let's say you just got a great new Beanie Baby, but he reeks of cigarrette smoke! What do you do? Easy. Get a gallon size ziplock bag and a bowl. In the bowl put either vinegear or baking soda (not both!!) then, put the bowl in the bag, and the Beanie in the bag (not in the bowl, beside it!!) seal up the bag, and in a couple of days, your Beanie will be like new!
Is it ok to wash Beanies in the washing machine? Yes, but take a few precautions. First, remove the swing tag (duh.) Secondly, don't wash a Beanie that has parts glued on (Lucky w/ glued on spots, or Spooky w/ glued on mouth) or Beanies that have felt parts (Radar, Crunch, Seaweed, Doodle/Strut, Lizzy, Bucky, Lucky, Grunt, Tank, Gobbles and Batty) because felt can stretch or lose shape when wet. You can wash them in the washing machine, but it may be better to wash them by hand. This can be done by soaking the Beanie in water mixed with a mild detergent. Afterward, rinse it with warm water. If you're going to wash Beanies (or any stuffed animal) in the washing machine, put it in a pillow case and tie the [pillow case shut first. This will protect their eyes, noses etc. Use the gentle cycle. Leave the Beanie in the pillow case if you put it in the dryer, or hand dry it with a blow dryer. To get the fluffiness back after it's been dryed, lightly brush it with a fabric brush or tooth brush.

If you have any collector's tips, please mail me.


Click here to go back to
Beanie Princess's Ultimate Beanie Baby Page.