How to Wash Squishmallows so They Can Continue Being Your Plushy Pillow Pals

If you have kids in your life, you likely know what a Squishmallow is: a big, fluffy, cartoonish, animal-like puff of pillow. They’re extra cuddly because they’re so plush — and Squishmallows are ridiculously popular right now. And because most well-loved items tend to get dirty, I reached out to an expert for their advice on keeping Squishmallows clean and snuggle-friendly.

Here’s what Aaron Christensen, a cleaning expert and VP of growth at Homeaglow, had to say about his process on how to spot-clean and wash Squishmallows.

For spot cleaning:

• Dish soap
• Small soft brush
• Cool water
• Clean, soft cloth

For washing:

• Mesh laundry bag or pillowcase with a zipper
• Bleach-free gentle detergent
• Soft brush

Spot cleaning is the way to go for little stains, so repeat the same process you use on every other fabric.

1. Dab the spot with dish soap.
2. If necessary, lightly scrub the spot with a small soft brush.
3. Use cool water and a clean cloth to rinse away the soap.
4. Repeat until the spot is gone.

For larger messes on your Squishmallow, or if you just want to keep it fresh overall, give it a round through the washing machine. “I like to put the Squishmallow in the machine wash every now and again because you never know what germs it’s picking up,” Christensen says. “And if someone is cuddling it close to their face, you want things to stay sanitary.”

1. Place the Squishmallow in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and zip it closed.
2. Put the bundle into your washing machine with a couple of large items like towels or blankets.
3. Wash with cool water on a gentle cycle with gentle detergent. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener.
4. To dry, put the Squishmallow in a sunny, ventilated spot and let it air dry. Do not apply any heat from any source like a laundry dryer or a hair dryer — it could melt the material.
5. When the Squishmallow is completely dry, re-fluff the outside with a soft brush and gently massage it to redistribute the insides.
   
   Regardless of what process you use, make sure you’re cleaning your Squishmallow friends regularly. Spot treatments should be done right away, and wash cycles should be done at least every three months. If you put it through the machine too often, Christensen says, the toy will wear down over time, no matter how gentle the cycle.