How to Refurbish a Teddy Bear

After being subjected to years of relentless hugging, squishing and being dragged through the dirt, your teddy bear will harbour grime that it has accumulated over the years, will have failing seams through which the stuffing is falling out, and won't be soft and cuddly anymore. But no teddy is ready for the trash; your teddy can likely be rehabilitated and made ready for the next generation, as this 25 year old bear was.

Steps

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If your bear does not already have a hole in a seam through which the stuffing can be removed, very carefully open a straight seam (such as the back seam) by cutting the seam thread with a pair of scissors, a very sharp knife, or a seam ripper. Remove all of the stuffing and discard.^{[1]XResearch source}
Rinse well with warm water. Repeat these steps as necessary, until the wash water no longer becomes coloured with the dirt that may come out of the fur. Gently squeeze (do not wring) the fur to remove most of the water.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Remove the excess water by placing an old towel on the floor, placing the bear on the towel, folding the towel over the bear, then standing on it. This will squeeze excess water from the fur without wringing it, which could damage the fabric.^{[3]XResearch source}
Allow it to further air dry overnight to ensure the seams are completely dry.
A dental pick works well. Work the pick through the knots, being careful not to pull the fur out.
Turn the teddy bear inside out to examine each seam for holes and to examine the thread which may be, if the teddy bear is very old, weak and rotten. Sew the holes closed and reinforce the seams as needed, using either a needle and thread or a sewing machine. If a needle and thread is used, be sure to place the stitches close together and pull each stitch tight.^{[4]XResearch source}
Examine the seams and areas you've stitched to ensure the seams are tight and the stitches are invisible from the outside. Tight seams are crucial!
Buttons work well.
Fill each of the legs and arms using a ball of polyester fiberfill approximately 6 times the size of the volume of the cavity to be filled, packing each very tightly. Using one ball for each arm and leg is better than filling them with many smaller balls of fiberfill.^{[5]XResearch source}
Pack tightly, ensuring there is enough fiberfill to make the arm, leg and neck joints firm.
It'll be good for decades to come.

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Question
I have a new teddy bear that has filling that sounds like it might be hay or something coarse. How do I go about replacing the filling?
Community Answer
You may be able to use the filling from pillows. Alternatively, craft stores sell stuffing in large bags that would be suitable.
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How could I do that to my teddy? He has feelings.
Community Answer
Tell him he is going to hospital and has to have an operation and make it fun. After all, he will love his new look at the end and so will you.
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Question
Can I use this method if my teddy bear has a zipper?
Community Answer
Yes; because of the zipper, it will be easy to replace stuffing. Just unzip it and take out the old stuffing, replace with new stuffing and zip it back up.
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Tips

When sewing with a needle and thread, use an overcasting stitch.
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Use a heavy duty thread. Our example bear was stitched with a thread suitable for sewing denim.
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If your bear does not have a hole that needs to be repaired through which you can remove the stuffing, be sure to make a hole just big enough to remove the stuff, as you will have to sew this hole closed when you are finished.
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Warnings

Do not wring the water out of the fur! Doing so will damage the fur.
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Use caution when refurbishing a collectible teddy bear -- it could lose its value.
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Don't overstuff your bear. This will cause your teddy bear to be hard, not fluffy.
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Do not immerse a bear with hardboard and metal joints. The joints will rot and/or rust. Surface wash it only!
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Use a thimble if sewing with a needle and thread.
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Things You'll Need

Heavy duty thread, in a colour similar to the colour of the teddy bear
A fine pick, such as the dental instrument illustrated
Needle or sewing machine
Scissors
Thimble (if sewing with a needle and thread)
A bag of natural cotton or polyester fiberfill (approximately six times the size of the bear)
- An alternative to fiberfill stuffing is worn out panty hose. If you choose to use this you won't need to take the stuffing out of the bear next time you wash it. You will be able to machine wash and dry it using gentle cycles.