Few stuffed animals trigger as much washing-day anxiety as Squishmallows. They’re $15 to $50 each, kids sleep with them every night, and they pick up sweat, drool, and food residue at impressive speed. Can Squishmallows go in the dryer? Yes, but only on the lowest heat setting and only after specific prep. The polyester fluff inside is heat-sensitive, and high heat permanently flattens the cloud-soft texture that makes them worth buying. After washing several dozens through trial and error, the method below preserves the squish.
What Squishmallows Are Made From
The outer fabric is “marshmallow” plush, a polyester velour that pills slightly with friction. The stuffing is a high-loft polyester fiberfill engineered for maximum loft per ounce. Polyester fibers melt at temperatures above 250°F and start to deform at 200°F. Most home dryers run between 130°F and 175°F on low heat, well below the danger zone, but high-heat settings can exceed 200°F at the heating element and damage the stuffing.
The eyes and embroidered details use polyester thread that holds up well to washing. The face stitching is the part most likely to fail, especially on Squishmallows over 5 years old where thread degrades over time.
The Manufacturer’s Care Tag
Kelly Toy, the maker of Squishmallows, recommends spot cleaning for routine maintenance. For deeper cleaning, the official tag allows machine washing in cold water on a gentle cycle followed by air-drying. The brand explicitly says “tumble dry low only if necessary.” That’s not a flat ban, but a caution to use the lowest available heat.
Off-brand and counterfeit Squishmallows may use different stuffing and thread that can’t handle even low heat. Stick with genuine Kelly Toy products for predictable wash results.
Pre-Wash Preparation
Before washing, place the Squishmallow in a mesh laundry bag rated for stuffed animals. The bag prevents the plush from getting beaten against the drum and reduces stress on the seams. A pillowcase tied closed with a rubber band works as a budget alternative.
Inspect for tears or loose seams first. Any visible weakness will worsen in the wash; hand-stitch repairs with strong polyester thread before machine washing. Spot-treat heavy stains with a few drops of dish soap and a damp cloth before going into the wash.
Washing Cycle Settings
Use cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle with low spin. Hot water shrinks polyester fabric unevenly and stiffens the fiberfill stuffing. A small amount of free-and-clear detergent (1 to 2 tablespoons) is enough; full doses leave residue in the dense fiberfill that takes extra rinses to remove.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften fabric without using fabric softener. Standard fabric softeners coat polyester fibers and reduce the marshmallow softness. Vinegar rinses cleaner and helps eliminate odor.
The Right Way to Use the Dryer
So can Squishmallows go in the dryer? Use the lowest heat setting your machine offers. Many dryers label this “delicate” or “air dry low.” If your machine has a no-heat or air-only fluff setting, that’s even better. Add three or four wool dryer balls to the load to keep the stuffing from clumping. Run the cycle for 20 to 30 minutes, then check progress.
Squishmallows often need 2 to 3 cycles totaling 60 to 90 minutes to fully dry inside. The exterior dries in 20 minutes, but the dense fiberfill core retains water for much longer. Pulling them out too early traps moisture deep in the stuffing where it grows mildew over weeks.
Air-Drying as a Safer Alternative
The safest approach is to skip the dryer entirely. Squeeze (don’t wring) excess water from the wet Squishmallow. Roll it in a clean dry towel and press to absorb more moisture. Place it on a fresh towel in a sunny spot or near a fan, flipping every few hours. Total air-drying time runs 24 to 48 hours.
For faster air drying, hang the Squishmallow upside down by a foot or arm in front of a box fan. The air movement cuts drying time roughly in half versus laying flat. Don’t hang in direct sun for more than 4 hours; UV gradually fades colors.
Restoring the Fluff After Washing
Most Squishmallows feel slightly compacted after their first wash. To restore the squish, gently massage and knead the stuffing while it’s still slightly damp. The fiberfill redistributes and refluffs as it dries. Continue every few hours during the air-dry process for best results.
For badly compacted stuffing, dryer balls plus 10 minutes of no-heat tumbling once it’s fully dry works wonders. The balls beat the fiberfill back into loft without heat damage.
Spot Cleaning for Light Stains
Save full washes for genuinely dirty Squishmallows. For everyday stains, mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of cool water. Dab the stain with a soft cloth or sponge, then blot dry with a clean cloth. Avoid soaking; surface cleaning preserves the stuffing’s loft far better than full washing.
Enzyme cleaners like Folex or Nature’s Miracle work for protein stains (food, drool, vomit) without affecting the plush texture. Spray, let sit 5 minutes, blot away with a clean towel.
What Causes Permanent Damage
- High-heat dryer cycles: Stuffing flattens and won’t refluff
- Hot water washing: Shrinks plush and warps shape
- Bleach: Damages dye and weakens fibers
- Fabric softener: Coats fibers, reduces marshmallow softness
- Iron or steamer: Melts polyester instantly
How Often to Wash
Most Squishmallows need washing every 2 to 3 months under normal use. Daily-cuddled bedtime favorites benefit from monthly washes. Display-only Squishmallows can go a year or longer. Frequent washing breaks down fibers faster, so spot clean when possible and save full washes for genuine grime. Following the gentle cycle and low-heat dryer method, a Squishmallow stays huggable for years rather than ending up in the donate bin after one rough laundry day.
