Teddy TLC
Our Teddy TLC process
1. Welcome and initial inspection
As soon as a bear or soft toy arrives we assess:
- it's overall condition
- any missing parts
- any damage or fragility
- whether it has a CE or UKCA label (see 'Your safety' section)
2. Gentle cleaning
Every bear and soft toy is cleaned using methods that are:
- appropriate for their age and material (hand-washing, surface or spot washing, steam cleaning)
- odour reducing, stain lifting and fluff restoring where needed
If you wish to request allergen-free Teddy TLC then please get in touch.
3. Drying and re-fluffing
After cleaning, bears and soft toys are:
- air dried carefully to prevent damage
- brushed or fluffed to restore softness
4. Additional quality checks
Before being listed on our website to be re-homed, all bears and soft toys will be give a second safety and quality check looking for:
- loose stitching or buttons
- loose eyes, noses and joints
- any lingering stains, smells or damage
5. Photoshoot and Bear Bio
Finally, we:
- take their photos where they show us their best side (this can take some time because all sides are their best side!)
- take notes of all their characteristics we learn along the way so we can create a ‘bear bio’ so they can be re-homed and ready for another hug
Teddy TLC isn't just about cleanliness - it's about respect. These bears and soft toys have been pre-loved and we believe that with care and kindness they can be re-loved.
Each one has a story and through Teddy TLC, we help them to get ready to write the next chapter - with you.
Our packaging promise:
At bear me in mind, we believe it's what's inside that counts - and that goes for our packaging too. Our smaller bears and friends can sometimes be sent in bio-degradable mailing bags, but for bigger or bulkier re-homes, we use packaging that's been rescued - just like our soft toys. That means you might receive a cardboard box, wrapping or filler that's had a previous life. It might not look perfect on the outside, but inside you'll find your new best friend lovingly wrapped and ready for their next adventure.
Re-using materials helps us keep waste out of landfill and give the planet a little hug too. So while your parcel may arrive looking a little mis-matched, rest assured it's all part of our mission to re-love, re-home and re-use wherever we can.
Our prices
At bear me in mind, every soft toy is more than just a cuddly companion - it's a rescued sewn-up soul given a second chance to be loved. When you buy from us, you're not just purchasing a pre-loved bear, you're supporting the gentle, thoughtful process behind their journey home - to you.
Each bear goes through our Teddy TLC process, which includes careful cleaning, repairs if needed, and lots of time spent bringing out their best again. We use gentle, bear safe products and handle each one with the love and respect they deserve - this takes time, and often several stages of care.
There are also practical costs:
- Travel to collect donated or rescued bears
- Thoughtfully chosen packaging that's as kind to the environment as it is to the bear (fully bio-degradable or recycled)
- Tags, printing and wrapping that helps make every bears story feel as personal as it is
Beyond that, there is the emotional value - the storytelling, the quiet history each bear carries and the care we take to help them connect with someone new.
You're paying for something more than just a soft toy, you're supporting a process rooted in kindness, time and purpose.
We believe in fair, honest pricing - not inflated, not mass-produced - just enough to keep doing what we love and what we believe in - helping every bear get another hug.
Yes, you could walk into a high street shop and buy a mass-produced bear for a few pounds - but they are made in bulk, often without thought for the planet, or the person receiving them.
Our pre-loved bears and soft toys come with heart, history and a hug that's been loved before. That's something no factory can replicate.