There are a few things I never knew how to clean until having kids…Squishmallows are definitely one of them! My daughters love their stuffies but the constant snuggles, runny noses, and applesauce spills make them pretty grimy after a while. I’m embarrassed it took me this long to perfect my method for how to clean a Squishmallow but now that I’ve got it, I need to share this precious info…
Spot-Cleaning
The good news is, Squishmallows are easy to spot-clean. If yours has a stain or if a specific spot was soiled, wet the area and use regular dish soap or detergent to lather away any grim. For tougher stains or set-in stains, use can use a spot-treatment— I like OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover— just let it sit for a few minutes, then wash away any residue. Let the Squishmallow air-dry.
Deep Cleaning
To deep-clean your Squishmallow, put it in the washing machine with a few similar items and wash on the delicate setting using cold water. I like to use the opportunity to wash my girls’ blankies and lovies at the same time—they’re similar in color and the perfect amount to balance out the washing machine drum without crowding it.
When you remove the Squishmallow from the dryer, shake it around a bit to re-distribute the fluff and either let it air-dry completely or place it in the drying in low-heat with your other items. I prefer to use the dryer for these, especially since we have the larger Squishmallows. I put them on the low-heat setting for a cycle and they’re typically still a bit moist when they come out, so I’ll let them air-dry to finish (or repeat, if needed).
Redistribute The Fluff
The key to washing your Squishmallow is that you must give it a really vigorous shake after everything’s dry. This will help the stuffy regain its shape and stay soft and squishy wash after wash. This won’t work if there’s any moisture inside, so wait until it’s completely dry before shaking, otherwise it’ll clump together.