Every parent who has ever watched a beloved Squishmallow take a juice-box hit knows the question that comes next. Can you put Squishmallows in the dryer without ruining the trademark marshmallow squish? The short answer is yes, on the lowest possible heat setting and only when absolutely necessary, but air drying is almost always the safer route. Kellytoy, the manufacturer, prints care instructions on every hang tag and they specifically warn against high heat. After laundering more stuffed animals than I care to count for my own kids, here is what actually works and what destroys the polyester fill.
What Squishmallows Are Actually Made Of
The exterior is a soft polyester super-soft spandex blend. The interior fill is polyester fiberfill, similar to what fills modern pillows but cut shorter to give that pillowy collapse. There is no foam, no beans, and no glued seams. That construction is forgiving in water but vulnerable to heat above about 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is exactly where most household dryers sit on their normal setting.
Excessive heat melts the polyester fibers slightly, which causes them to clump and lose loft. A Squishmallow that comes out of a hot dryer feels lumpy, smaller, and stiff. There is no way to fully restore that softness once it is gone.
Safe Dryer Settings If You Must
If you absolutely need the toy dry quickly, here are the rules:
- Use the air-only or no-heat tumble setting. Most modern dryers offer this
- If air-only is not available, use the lowest heat setting, usually labeled delicate or low, around 125 degrees
- Run for short cycles of 15 to 20 minutes, then check and fluff
- Add three clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to keep the fill from clumping
- Place the toy in a zipper mesh laundry bag to protect the embroidered face details
Never use dryer sheets or fabric softener. Both leave a coating that mats the soft outer fabric and dulls the bright printed colors over time.
The Air Drying Method That Actually Works
Air drying takes 24 to 48 hours, and the toy stays exactly as soft as the day you bought it. Squeeze excess water out gently. Do not wring or twist, which damages the seams. Wrap the Squishmallow tightly in a clean dry towel and press to absorb the surface water. Repeat with a second dry towel.
Place the toy in front of a fan on a wire drying rack so air can circulate around all sides. Flip every six hours. In humid climates, point the fan into a closed bathroom with the dehumidifier running for faster results. Direct sunlight will fade the printed colors, so dry indoors.
How to Wash a Squishmallow First
Washing usually comes before drying. The official Kellytoy guidance is hand wash in cold water with mild detergent. In practice, most parents put them in the washing machine and have great results.
- Pre-treat any visible stains with a dab of Dawn dish soap or OxiClean spray
- Place the Squishmallow in a zippered mesh laundry bag
- Run the gentle or delicate cycle in cold water with mild detergent like Dreft or All Free Clear
- Skip the second rinse to avoid extra agitation
- Spin at low speed if the option exists
Larger 16-inch and 24-inch Squishmallows hold a lot of water. Expect them to weigh four to five times their dry weight when they come out of the wash, which is normal.
Removing Specific Stains Before Washing
Different messes need different pretreatments. Food and drink stains respond to a baking soda paste left on for ten minutes before washing. Mud should fully dry first, then brush off as much as possible before any water touches it. Pet accidents need an enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle to break down proteins, otherwise the smell returns once dry.
Permanent marker is the toughest. A cotton ball with a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol can lift fresh ink, but old marker is usually permanent. Test on a hidden seam first because alcohol will sometimes lift the printed face details too.
What Not to Do
Skip these methods entirely. Dry cleaning chemicals are too harsh for the polyester fill and the smell lingers. Microwave drying is dangerous; the metallic threads in some printed faces can spark. Hair dryers concentrate heat in one spot and can melt the fabric in seconds. Heated towel rails or radiators can scorch the fabric if the toy touches them too long.
Putting a wet Squishmallow in a sealed bag, even for an hour, invites mildew. The fiberfill stays damp deep inside long after the surface feels dry.
How to Keep Them Cleaner Longer
Squishmallows generally need washing every two to three months unless something specific happens. Vacuum them with the upholstery brush attachment monthly to remove surface dust and pet hair. A quick spritz of distilled white vinegar diluted 50/50 with water freshens them between washes without staining.
If a child has allergies, freezing the toy in a sealed plastic bag for 48 hours kills dust mites without any heat or chemicals. Take out, brush off the frost, and let warm to room temperature before returning to the bedroom.
Restoring a Lumpy Squishmallow
If a Squishmallow already came out of a hot dryer feeling lumpy, you can rescue it partially. Toss it back in the dryer on no-heat with two clean tennis balls and run for 30 minutes. Massage the fill manually as you fluff. Some loft will return, though never quite to factory soft. Anyone asking can you put Squishmallows in the dryer without damage now has a clear answer: yes, but only with strict heat and time limits.
Knowing whether you can put Squishmallows in the dryer comes down to one rule: low heat or no heat, with patience. Treat them like a quality wool sweater rather than a beach towel and they will stay squishy for years of bedtime cuddles.
