How to clean squishy toys: roll rubber splat balls in lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse, and let them air dry. Hard plastic eye-poppers, foam squishies and gel pads get a soapy cloth wipe instead and stay out of the water. All of ours are in the squishy toys collection.
The right method depends on what the squishy is made of. The word covers at least four kinds of toy: stretchy rubber splat balls, hard plastic eye-poppers, slow-rise foam, and gel-filled pads. If you are not sure which one you have, our guide to what squishies are made of sorts them out.
How to clean rubber splat balls
A soapy rinse is all they need. The page for our squishy baseball splat balls says to rinse with water and let air dry. For real grime:
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and one drop of mild dish soap.
- Roll the ball between your palms in the water for 20 to 30 seconds. Hands only, no brush or sponge.
- Rinse under running water until it stops feeling soapy.
- Set it on a plate or a dish rack to air dry. Turn it over once so the bottom dries too.
Don't dry them with a towel, cloth or paper towel. These balls are sticky, and fibers cling to them. Our brain splat balls are soft, sticky rubber as well, so the same soapy roll works.
Our egg squishy balls are stretchy, rubbery egg-yolk balls. Clean them the same way.
How to clean eye-popping squishies
Wipe them with a soapy cloth rather than rinsing them, so water doesn't sit around the eyes. The Flippy Frog squishy is ABS plastic and easy to clean. The Flippy Dragon, Flippy Kitten and Poppin' Peepers brain are all listed as washable.
- Wipe the body with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm soapy water and wrung out.
- Squeeze gently so the eyes pop out, and wipe around them. Grime tends to collect there.
- Wipe again with a cloth dipped in clean water and wrung out, to take off the soap.
- Let it air dry before it goes back in the box.
Wipe only.
How to clean a foam squishy without ruining it
Wipe, don't soak. Slow-rise foam takes in water like a sponge. We don't sell foam squishies, but if you have one:
- Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a tiny amount of mild soap. Wring it out well.
- Dab the dirty spots. Don't rub hard, because painted designs can come off.
- Dab again with a cloth dampened in clean water.
- Let it dry completely before anyone squeezes it. Squeezing damp foam pushes water deeper inside, and foam takes much longer to dry than rubber.
How to clean a gel-filled squishy
Wipe the outside only. A damp, soapy cloth, then a clean damp cloth, then let it dry. Wipe our gel-filled maze puzzle pads rather than soaking them, and check the seams while you wipe.
If any squishy is torn or leaking, take it away from the child, wipe up anything that leaked, wash hands, and throw the toy out.
Can you wash squishies in the washing machine or dishwasher?
No. None of our squishy listings says machine washable or dishwasher safe, so clean them by hand. A wash cycle could tear a splat ball.
What not to use on squishy toys
- Hot water. Lukewarm is enough.
- Nail polish remover or other solvents. They can strip paint and damage plastic.
- Scrub brushes and abrasive sponges. They scratch plastic and can tear a splat ball.
- Bleach, alcohol or disinfecting wipes for everyday cleaning. Soap and water does the job.
The CDC's guide to cleaning and disinfecting your home says to clean hard surfaces, including certain toys, with soap and water, and that cleaning alone removes most harmful germs. It says disinfecting at home is likely not needed unless someone in the home is sick. If you do disinfect, clean the toy first and follow the product label.
Classrooms and daycares have their own sanitizing rules, especially for toys that end up in a child's mouth. Follow those.
How often should you clean squishy toys?
Clean a squishy when it looks dirty, after it has been on the floor or outside, after a sick day, and after a class party where it got passed around. The same CDC guide says to clean surfaces when they are visibly dirty, and more often when someone at home is more likely to get sick, such as young children. Check the age on the box too. The Flippy Frog, for example, is for ages 6 and up. Before a younger sibling gets hold of one, read are squishies safe for the age and choking checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash squishies with soap and water?
Yes. Rubber splat balls can be rolled in lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinsed and air dried. Hard plastic eye-poppers, foam squishies and gel pads should be wiped with a damp, soapy cloth instead.
Can you put squishies in water?
Some can. Rubber splat balls can be rolled in a bowl of soapy water for half a minute, then rinsed under running water. Keep eye-poppers, foam squishies and gel pads out of the water and wipe them instead. Don't leave any squishy soaking.
How do you clean a squishy without making it sticky?
Rinse off all the soap and let the toy air dry instead of towel drying it. Leftover soap can leave a film, and towel fibers cling. Our brain and baseball splat balls, and the 6-pack egg balls, are sticky to begin with, so some stickiness after washing is normal.
Can you clean squishies with baking soda?
We would skip it. Mild soap and water is enough for rubber and plastic squishies. Baking soda is an abrasive and can rub paint off a painted foam squishy.
Keep a small bowl and mild dish soap handy, and most squishies take a minute to wash. The full range is in our squishy toys collection.