Can you wash squishmallows? Well, it depends on the type you have and how much care you’re willing to take. The majority of squishmallows are made from polyester or polyurethane (PU) plastics. These types of plastics are tough enough that they don’t often break down when washed in a machine. However, if your squishmallows do begin to smell like they’ve been in there too long, it’s probably time to find a different cleaning solution. Here’s how you can clean your squishmallows.
Can You Wash Squishmallows?
Yes, you can wash squishmallows. You can just place them in the washing machine with some mild detergent and squeeze the water out of them. Squishmallows do not need to be rinsed, so there is no need to soak them. Squishmallows are very soft and pliable, so even if they get damaged during the washing process, they will still be easy to eat. However, if you want to make sure that your squishmallows are extra clean, you can put them in the dishwasher. They should be fine in the top rack of the dishwasher, but you should use caution when loading them because they are soft and may split open if you put too much weight on them.
How To Wash Squishmallows?
1. Wash Squishmallows Before Use
Most board games, including squishmallows, come with a set of rules that explain how to play the game. If you’ve never played the game before or if you don’t know how to play it properly, it’s always a good idea to wash your squishmallows before using them for the first time. This will prevent any unwanted germs from contaminating your toy set. In addition to preventing contamination, washing your squishmallows before use will also keep them from getting disgusting and smelling. For best results, wash your squishmallows in cold water with a mild, scented soap like Ivory Liquid or Dove Hand Cleaner. This will help remove any lingering odors caused by storage and transportation.
2. Hang Squishmallows to Dry
Whether you’re hanging your squishmallows to dry or drying them on the kitchen counter, it’s also a good idea to wash them before use. This way, any microbes on your squishmallows will be washed away while they’re still wet, increasing their lifespan. Another reason you should hang your squishmallows to dry is that hanging them will make it easier to remove any excess water from them while they air-dry. This will prevent water and soap residue from getting inside your toy set.
3. Machine Wash Squishmallows in a Mesh Bag
If you plan to machine wash your squishmallows, use a mesh bag and wash them in the mesh bag. This will prevent any loose corners or edges from getting caught in your machine. If you do this, do not use bleach to sanitize your squishmallows, as it will turn the plastic into a gooey mess. When machine washing your squishmallows, make sure to wash them on a gentle cycle so that any soap residue doesn’t get inside them. You can also use the delicates cycle if you want to make sure your squishmallows are free of any oils on their surface.
4. Hand Wash Squishmallows
If you’re hand washing your squishmallows, use a mild, scented soap and warm water. Make sure to wash your squishmallows by hand, by rinsing them thoroughly in the sink and then hanging them up to dry. You can also use a squishmallow washer to wash your squishmallows. This is an appliance that has a built-in basin that contains warm water and mild soap that you dump into it to lather up the squishmallows before rinsing them out.
5. Spot or Sensitive Cleaning
If you want to spot clean a squishmallow, use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away any stains. Do not use a dry paper towel as it may damage the plastic. If you spot clean your squishmallows, make sure to use a damp cloth or paper towel because a dry paper towel may damage the plastic surface.
6. Don’t Wring Out Squishy Toys!
PU plastics can be damaged by too much stress from wringing out a sponge. Squishmallows are particularly fragile and may crack or break if you squeeze them too hard or too long. It’s important to be gentle with squishmallows that have a colored or transparent plastic wrap on them because you can damage the plastic. It’s also important to be gentle with the squishmallows themselves, as they may be breakable.
Why You Should Wash Squishmallows?
They’re just plain dirty!
Most squishmallows have been around for a long time and have been used by a ton of children. When washed and dried, you can use them again and again. These little toys are often handed down to younger siblings or even cousins. So, it’s no surprise that they become dirty and stained over time. Washing them will help remove stains like food, drink, and dirt. As well as remove any dust or fluff that is often trapped inside the foam. This will restore your squishmallows to their original color and make them look new again.
They can be a hatching ground for moths and bugs.
Remember these toys are often used by multiple children, they can easily pick up dust and dirt while they are sitting in a toy box. This is when moths and bugs can lay their eggs inside the squishmallows. Moths love dark places and the inside of squishmallows is the perfect place for them. They love to feed on the foam inside and lay their eggs in it. When you next use the squishmallows, you’ll find a pile of eggs and larvae. Not only does this look disgusting, but it is also very unhealthy. Moths and their larvae can be harmful to your health. They can cause skin irritation, asthma, and allergies.
They’ll last longer if you wash them.
Squishmallows are soft and cuddly toys that you want to last a long time. Even though they are made of foam, they can start to break down after many years of use. This is due to the fact that they are made with different chemicals. If you let them get stained and dirty and never wash them, they will look old and shabby. They will not be as comfortable to use and cuddle with. If you wash and dry them regularly, they will last much longer. This is because washing and drying them will kill all of the bacteria. This will also stop your squishmallows from smelling too bad.
It’s the only way to get rid of that new foam smell.
Have you ever bought a new squishmallow and it smells very strongly? This is the smell of the chemicals inside the squishmallow. You will notice that this smell will quickly fade away. This is because the squishmallows are very porous. This lets air and moisture inside them. You can reduce this smell by washing them regularly. Washing them will help to remove the chemicals and make them smell much nicer.
They are easy to clean and dry quickly.
Squishmallows can be hard to clean if you are not careful. The best way to clean them is to wash them in warm water. Using a gentle washing liquid and a little bit of soap is the best way to clean them. If you are worried about the squishmallows shrinking in the wash, you can use a wash bag. This will help them float and keep their shape. While you let the squishmallows soak, you can add some baking soda to the water. This will stop them from staining and smelling. When you are done, you can just wring out the squishmallows and let them dry.
Wrapping Up
You can clean a few squishmallows by scrubbing them with a soft cloth and a gentle dish soap. If your squishmallows are clear, you can use a soft damp cloth to wipe them clean. Make sure to rinse the squishmallows thoroughly and dry them off before storing them back in the container. Squishmallows are commonly just run under cold water with a gentle scrubbing sponge. This can be challenging for squishmallows with transparent or colored plastic wrap. In these cases, the plastic needs to be removed before scrubbing.
