I have heard from medical sites the best way to rid a stuffed animal of germ or even lice is to gently wash and dry. Then vacuum seal and place in freezer for a week if possible. They said if it was a treasured animal, or even doll with hair. Damp sponge it with gentle soap and water, Rub with towel to dry off. Place in dryer if you can, or line dry. Then vacuum seal and freeze as well.
They said this should be done to sanitize on a regular basis, or especially after a child has a cold,thrush, flu or any illness,
ETA..I found the article
Not all toys can go into the washing machine, so if your child's favorite stuffed animal has to be surface cleaned, use a mild detergent and warm water to thoroughly scrub the stuffed animal's exterior. Maneuver your washcloth into every nook and cranny, then clean the animal again with plain water to get rid of any lingering detergent residue, which can make the stuffed animal’s fur feel stiff or look clumpy. After you've cleaned them and let them dry in the sun, close stuffed animals in a plastic freezer bag and store them in the freezer for at least 72 hours to sanitize them, suggests the University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Division.
“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan