The sun causes extreme heating, and over long periods of exposure will fade and bleach the color from any material, including fur. The fluctuation from daytime warmth to nighttime cooling causes contractions in some materials, particularly clay-based pieces, which can cause cracking, and in some extreme cases, warping may occur due to over heating. If you live in an area that requires a home heating system to keep you warm in the winter, placement on a windowsill adds the problem of warm air rising from the heating system, which runs along the walls. So no windowsills, okay?

My Underwear is Pink. Step three is simple. Never, I repeat, NEVER wash any collectible animal of any sort in a washing machine. It is tantamount to washing your delicates with a red towel. You never know what will happen, but you know it won't be pretty.

I admit that over the years I've had no choice but to throw a Care Bear or two into the washer, but I would never put a delicate sculpture or crocheted animal into one. They are made with finer threads, and are susceptible to breakage. I don't even recommend washing removable clothing in a washing machine. Instead, use a clean, moist cloth to lightly wipe your item and remove dust or loose dirt.

Remember to have only a moist, not wet, cloth A very rough and tough little guy, a brave rhinoceros named "Bruiser", a little Trollfling friend by Aaron Matthies and use a very light touch. Wiping too hard can actually embed more dirt into your piece than you are trying to remove. A moist cloth can also be used for furred animals, but again a light touch is needed. You can purchase a fine-toothed baby comb or brush and use this to "comb" away some dust particles too. Just remember that a light touch is imperative.

Another very handy item to have in your cleaning arsenal is a can of compressed air. Not a cleaning aerosol, just plain air. These are sold in most computer outlets for spraying dust from keyboards and hard to reach nooks and crannies. They will blow away dust and surface dirt without you having to touch the sculpture at all.