How to Clean a Squishy Toy (Without Ruining the Skin)

A pastel pink handmade squishy ball soaking in a bowl of water beside a folded towel
Illustration: a handmade squishy ball soaking in a shallow bowl of water.

Short answer: wash a squishy in a basin of water with a little body wash, rinse it, and let it air dry completely before you squeeze it again. If the surface feels sticky, dust it lightly with squishy care powder instead of washing it. If the seam has come loose, reseal it with dedicated squishy glue — not household glue — and let it dry for one to two hours.

That covers most situations. The rest of this guide goes through each case properly, because the right fix depends on what has actually gone wrong: dirt, stickiness, a loose seam, or a torn skin.

First, work out which problem you have

What you see What it usually is What to do
Dust, fingerprints, general grime Surface dirt Wash with water and body wash
Surface feels tacky or gritty Material drawing in dust Dust with care powder
Seam or closure has opened Adhesive has failed Reseal with squishy glue
Skin has torn or is leaking Skin damage Replace the skin

Cleaning a squishy is not one task — it is four. Treating a sticky surface as "dirt" and washing it repeatedly will not fix it, and washing a torn skin makes the damage worse.

How to wash a squishy toy

This is the method that suits the handmade and semi-handmade squishies we sell, and it is the one to use when the ball is genuinely dirty.

A pastel squishy ball air drying on a bamboo rack beside a window
Illustration: air drying on a rack in the shade — never on a radiator or in direct sun.
  1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of body wash. You want a mild, soapy bath rather than a strong concentration.
  2. Wash the surface gently by hand. Do not scrub with a brush, sponge or cloth that could catch on the skin, and keep sharp fingernails away from the surface.
  3. Rinse under running water until the soap is gone. Leftover soap can leave a film that attracts dust.
  4. Pat off the worst of the water with a soft towel — do not wring, stretch or squeeze the ball dry.
  5. Let it air dry completely at room temperature before you put it away or squeeze it again. Sealing a damp squishy in its bag is how you get a musty smell and a degraded surface.

Do not use hot water, and do not put a squishy in a washing machine or dishwasher. Heat is what damages the skin, and a machine will stretch and tear it.

What to do when your squishy feels sticky

A sticky surface is usually the material picking up dust and skin oils rather than actual dirt, so washing can make it worse by stripping the surface further.

Two squishy balls side by side, one with a dull cracked surface and one smooth and well kept
Illustration: a surface that has dried out (left) next to one that has been kept properly (right).
  • Apply a small amount of squishy care powder to the surface and spread it evenly with your fingers.
  • Let it sit for a moment, then squeeze the ball a few times so the powder works into the surface.
  • Wipe off any excess.

A light dusting is enough. You do not need to coat the ball, and it is better to use the care powder sold for squishies than to substitute a kitchen powder, which can cake on a damp surface.

What to do when the seam comes loose

A loose seam does not mean the ball is finished. Resealing it is a normal part of owning a handmade squishy.

✨ Squishy Seal Glue | DIY Stress Ball Skin Adhesive
The glue we use on our own balls: Squishy Seal Glue — it stays flexible once cured, which household glue does not.
  1. Use only dedicated squishy glue — the adhesive sold specifically for squishy skins. Ordinary household glues, superglue and craft adhesives can attack the skin material and make the damage permanent.
  2. Apply a thin line of glue along the opening, press the seam closed and hold it for a moment.
  3. Wrap the repaired area in a plastic bag and leave it to dry for about one to two hours before squeezing.
  4. Test gently afterwards. If the seam still opens, the skin may need replacing instead.

What to do when the skin tears or leaks

Once a skin has torn, patching the tear is not a reliable fix — the material will keep splitting from the same point. The practical answer is to replace the skin.

9cm Squishy Skin | DIY Replacement Stress Ball Cover
Replacement skin, in the size we sell: 9cm Squishy Skin — swapping the skin beats patching a tear.

Replacement skins are sold separately in our DIY supplies, in a range of shapes and sizes, and they fit the same filling you already have. If you are not sure which size matches your ball, measure the widest point of the ball and compare it with the skin listing — the 9cm squishy skin is a good reference point for a mid-size handmade ball.

One thing worth knowing: if you ordered a handmade stress ball from us, a spare stress ball skin comes with the order. That is specific to handmade stress ball orders — it is not included with every squishy or DIY item, so check the product page for what your order included.

Keeping a squishy clean in the first place

Most cleaning problems are storage problems:

Flat lay of squishy care items: water bowl, cotton cloth, small powder jar, elastic band and a pastel ball
Illustration: everything you actually need — water, a cotton cloth, a little powder, one elastic band.
  • Store it in the sealed bag it arrived in when you are not using it. This is the single most effective thing you can do — it keeps dust off and slows the skin drying out and cracking.
  • Keep it away from direct sun, radiators and hot cars. Heat is the main cause of a skin going tacky and then brittle.
  • Keep sharp objects away — keys, pens, scissors and fingernails are the usual cause of small punctures.
  • Do not over-pull. Stretching a squishy further than its design allows is what starts seam failures.
  • Wash your hands before squeezing if you have been eating or using hand cream. Oils transfer straight onto the surface.

When to stop using it

Stop and contact us if:

  • the ball is leaking its filling,
  • the skin has torn and the filling is exposed,
  • the surface has started to crack or peel across a large area,
  • or the ball has deformed and no longer returns to shape.

Heavy use does cause wear over time — peeling, small cracks and some loss of rebound are normal for a soft fidget that gets squeezed daily. A leak or an exposed filling is not normal wear, and it is not something you should keep squeezing.

Please also check your order within 24 hours of delivery. If anything arrives damaged, incorrect or incomplete, contact us in that window with unboxing photos and a short description so we can sort it out.

FAQ

Can I wash a squishy with just water?

Water alone removes loose dust, but body wash is what lifts oils and grime. Use a small amount of body wash in a basin of lukewarm water, then rinse properly.

Can I use hand sanitiser or alcohol wipes on a squishy?

We do not recommend it. Alcohol-based products can dry out and degrade the skin surface. Water with body wash is the method we recommend.

How often should I clean a squishy?

Clean it when it is visibly dirty or has been handled a lot, not on a fixed schedule. Frequent washing is harder on the skin than occasional washing, so between washes rely on storing it in its sealed bag.

My squishy smells after washing — what happened?

It was most likely stored damp. Let it air dry completely at room temperature before putting it back in the bag. If the smell persists after a full dry, contact us.

How do I clean a butter squishy or a very soft squishy?

The same way, but more carefully: lukewarm water, a small amount of body wash, no scrubbing, and full air drying. Softer skins are more easily stretched, so support the ball with both hands while washing instead of holding it by one edge.

Can I dry a squishy with a hairdryer?

No. Heat damages the skin. Air dry it at room temperature.

Care guidance on this page reflects the instructions we give for Marshkiky squishies. Different materials can behave differently; if your item came with its own care card, follow that first, and contact us if you are unsure.

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