Much like everything else in a kid's world, Squishies and other stuffed toys can double as perfect napkins. Between sleeping with them, dragging them around the yard, and wiping dirty faces and hands, the plush toys strewn about a child's room need a quick refresh every once in a while.
Depending on the care instructions on the tag, you'll need to decide whether to use a washing machine, hand wash, or spot clean your plush toys. Older or more delicate toys should not be thrown in the wash. Toys with built-in battery packs, mechanical parts, or metal should only be spot cleaned, as water will cause damage.
Clean Squishies weekly if your child sleeps with them. Otherwise, it's fine to clean them as needed when they look dirty or give off a smell. Wash your child's Squishy immediately after he or she has been sick.
Hand Washing
- Fill a bucket or your sink with cold water. Use enough water to submerge the toys.
- Add laundry detergent. Pour a capful of laundry detergent into your bucket or sink.
- Agitate for 2-3 minutes. Gently squeeze each toy to saturate it with water and detergent. Don't scrub too hard, as older Squishies might have loose strings or fabric.
- Drain. Drain or dump the used water.
- Rinse. Refill your bucket or sink with clean, cold water or run the Squishy under cold running water. Squeeze each one gently to rinse the detergent, but avoid wringing.
- Lay the Squishy flat to dry. You can roll each one in a clean, dry towel first to help remove moisture. You can also use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Spot Cleaning
- Wet. Wet the stains with clean, cold water.
- Apply any fabric cleaning spray onto the stains. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Scrub. If necessary, use an old toothbrush or nylon brush to scrub the stains.
- Rinse. Wet the stains again with clean, cold water to remove both the stains and the cleaner. Blot the cleaned stains with a clean, damp cloth as a final step to remove any remaining cleaner.
- Air dry. Lay the toys flat to dry.
Washing Machine (Plush Squishies & Soft Stuffed Toys)
- Place the stuffed toys in a mesh laundry bag, zippered pillowcase, or tied-up pillowcase to protect them from wear and tear. Select settings. Use the delicate, hand-wash, or gentle cycle setting on your washing machine, along with cold water to help keep colors from fading.
- Add laundry detergent.
- Dry. After washing the stuffed animals, take them out of the mesh bag or pillowcase and lay them flat to air dry. You can roll each one in a clean, dry towel first to help remove moisture. Use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process if the little one gets antsy and wants his or her toy back.