Squishmallows are stuffed with polyester and spandex fibers that give them their signature marshmallow feel. Heat and rough agitation can flatten or distort that texture permanently. So the golden rule is: use the least aggressive method that gets it clean.
Can you put a Squishmallow in the washing machine?
The honest answer is nuanced. The manufacturer’s official guidance is not to fully submerge or machine wash them, to protect the fiber and texture. Some Squishmallows carry a “machine washable” tag, and many owners machine wash smaller ones successfully.
The safe reconciliation: spot clean first, hand wash for bigger jobs, and reserve the machine for small, heavily soiled Squishmallows only. Check your specific plush’s care tag before deciding.
Choose your method by size and mess
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Small spot or spill | Spot clean |
| General grime, want a full refresh | Hand wash |
| Small Squishmallow (under ~12 in), very dirty | Machine wash in a pillowcase |
| Large Squishmallow (16 in and up) | Hand wash or spot clean only |
Large Squishmallows do not belong in a washer. They hold too much water, take forever to dry, and are prone to distortion.
Method 1: Spot cleaning (do this first)
Best for a single stain or light dirt.
- Mix a little mild soap or gentle detergent into cold water.
- Dip a soft cloth, wring it out, and dab the stain. Do not soak the plush.
- Work gently from the outside of the stain inward.
- Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove soap.
- Pat dry and air dry.
This keeps the interior stuffing bone dry, which is the whole point.
Method 2: Hand washing
Best for an all-over refresh without machine risk.
- Fill a sink or tub with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Submerge the Squishmallow and gently squeeze the soapy water through it. Do not wring or twist.
- Drain, refill with clean cold water, and squeeze to rinse until the water runs clear.
- Press out excess water by squeezing, never wringing.
- Move to drying (below).
Method 3: Machine washing (small ones only)
Only for small Squishmallows that are genuinely dirty.
- Place it inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag and tie or zip it shut. This shields the fabric from snags.
- Use a gentle cycle with cold water. A few drops of dish soap or a small dose of standard detergent is fine. Skip bleach.
- Front-loaders are safer. If you have a top-loader with a center agitator, be very careful, owners repeatedly report agitators tearing or snagging plush even inside a pillowcase. Consider hand washing instead.
- Remove promptly when the cycle ends.
A recurring caution across Squishmallow owner threads: the agitator, not the water, is what ruins plush. If your washer has a tall center post, hand wash.
How do I dry a Squishmallow without flattening it?
Drying is where the squish is saved or lost.
- Squeeze, do not wring, to remove water.
- Roll it in a clean towel and press to absorb more moisture.
- Air dry flat, away from direct sunlight, which fades the fabric. Turn it occasionally so it dries evenly.
- Optional low-heat fluff: tumble on a no-heat or lowest-heat setting with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls. The balls bounce the stuffing back to life.
- Refluff by hand. Once dry, knead and massage it to redistribute the filling and restore the round, squishy shape.
Never use high heat. It melts and mats the polyester fibers and can shrink or warp the plush for good.
How often should I wash a Squishmallow?
- Spot clean as messes happen.
- Full wash every couple of months for one used daily, or after an illness.
- More often for a child’s or pet’s favorite that goes everywhere.
Regular light cleaning beats occasional heavy washing. It keeps bacteria and odors down while sparing the fibers from repeated soaking.
FAQ
Will washing ruin the squish?
Not if you use cold water, gentle handling, and no heat when drying. Hot water and high-heat drying are what flatten the fibers.
Can I put a large Squishmallow in the washer?
It is not recommended. Large plush holds too much water, risks distortion, and takes very long to dry. Spot clean or hand wash instead.
Do I need to check the care tag?
Yes. Tags vary between Squishmallows, and some list machine-washable while the general manufacturer guidance is more cautious. The tag on your specific plush wins.
How do I get the fluff back after washing?
Tumble on no heat with dryer balls, then knead and massage the stuffing by hand once it is fully dry.