Best stuffing for sewing, crocheting, knitting plushies, toys, etc...

Bluesy

Question in title. (Cant find a dedicated place to ask this under)


Interested whether there is a difference in the "better" stuffing over these crafts (& can you only use one type of stuffing for one craft/ can use for all)... and interested whether there is generally a "better" stuffing for one certain type of thing- like toys using cotton/ wool, etc... and others using something else?

I know that different stuffings have different effects

Also- is buying a stuffing better than using cut up scraps? (I tried once- and its heavier?)


As you can probably tell... I haven't tried stuffing much.....

TestKnit

Bluesy replied at 2025-6-6 08:25
Thanks for the reply.

Does poly stuffing/ most bought stuffing have microplastics? I guess I never ...

For the microplastics issue, it does depend, as you've said. The material is to blame: while some fabrics are made purely of wool, linen, cotton, silk, etc. some are made of a percentage of polyester or other plastic-based fabrics. When you wash these, they'll release the microplastics as the fibers are damaged with each wash. This damage will happen whether you're using the purest most natural fabric or the most plasticky shein cloth. It's part of the natural wash and wear cycle of clothing, though careful handling goes a long way.

The problem with the bought filling is just that: it's mostly polyester, and the fibers are tiny, loose and moving around. So, they'll shed microplastics quickly. If you use cotton threads from the scrap fabric  you used, for example, they'll be filling out the plushie, but not as softly as poly fill. However, they won't leak microplastics.

After a lot of rough use or maybe even decades of love, the plushies might need more filling, yes. However, they'd need to be loved to BITS for this to happen. So, yes, you might have to replace a bit of filling after a few years. You only need a seam ripper, and a needle and thread. This will be enough to replace it.

crochetbliss38

ooo great question! I haven't tried others but I use Poly-Fil

Bluesy

cxex replied at 2025-6-10 02:49
You can get pure wool or pure cotton stuffing. Should not have microplastics in there. The material ...

ofc theres not much research :( it looks like everything on this damn planet is out to kill us ahhh

cxex

Bluesy replied at 2025-6-9 12:52
But is microplastics bad for humans - touch wise or is pollution the main concern? Cause wouldn't mo ...

You can get pure wool or pure cotton stuffing. Should not have microplastics in there. The materials you use for the toy itself are also to be considered.

For the wool stuffing, I can buy it for $35 USD a kg. And the cotton is similar.

There's various other types of 'eco fibres'. Corn Fibre, feathers, fibre made from trees, hemp, kapok, all of it is microplastic free.

As for microplastics... There is not much research done on the effects they have on the human body. However, it's probably a good idea to try and reduce your contact with it if you can.

Surely having plastic in the body... It can't be a good thing?

punkkua

I use my kids old Squishmallows stuffing, it is light and fluffy. So re-useing old toys.

TestKnit

So, I'm by no means experienced with stuffing, but the toys I've made in the past were filled with either wool roving or fabric torn into threads. I personally find that it's the most eco-friendly way of stuffing anything, a great way to use scraps to the LAST bit, and still makes for a soft plushie as the threads still make a soft and fluffy stuffing. Is it as good as, say, poly stuffing? No. But, I'd rather use my scraps of cotton than buy a product that leaches microplastics...

Bluesy

TestKnit replied at 2025-6-5 19:57
So, I'm by no means experienced with stuffing, but the toys I've made in the past were filled with e ...

Thanks for the reply.

Does poly stuffing/ most bought stuffing have microplastics? I guess I never looked into it.
When I cut up scrap fabric I found it somewhat harder to do- to get small chunks (maybe need one of those blade thingies to make it easier)

But don't some fabric have microplastics?


Do you know if we need to replace stuffing after a while? not sure of washing effect/ sew in an extra case to put the stuffing in so that it can be taken out of?

Bluesy

But is microplastics bad for humans - touch wise or is pollution the main concern? Cause wouldn't most toys in the store have polyfil or something similar? and esp if kids/ people hug the heck out of the toys.... basically try not to ingest it, smell it?

Oh i see- do u know of any alternatives to polyfill besides scrap fabric? its prob all expensive right haha....

So from what I understand- all fabrics shed over time (no matter if plastic or not-) just that types like cotton (no plastic?) are better/ not a big deal? but still pollution and theres no way to get rid of all pollution unless u go naked?