Unboxing notes

How to care for a SquishMe so it keeps rising

Squeeze it, let it rise and keep it looking fresh for many shelf seasons.

The short version

• Squeeze evenly with an open hand and let the foam rise fully
• Clean only with a barely damp cloth, never soak or machine-wash
• Keep squishies away from heat, direct sun and curious pets
• Never pull or pick at small parts, tags or painted details

The right way to squeeze

A SquishMe is made for squeezing, but how you squeeze matters. Press with an open hand or both palms so the pressure spreads across the whole piece. Squeezing evenly lets the slow-rise foam compress and come back the way it was designed to, without stressing one spot over and over again.

Avoid twisting, folding a squishy in half or pinching thin parts like ears and arms between two fingers. Those moves concentrate force in a small area and can crease or tear the foam over time. If a younger collector is playing, show them the open-hand squeeze first — it quickly becomes a habit.

Give it time to rise

Slow-rise foam is slow on purpose. After a squeeze, let the SquishMe rise all the way back before pressing it again. Bigger pieces such as scented Mega SquishMe and the roughly ten-inch Mighty Mega usually take longer than small squishies, and a cool room can slow things down a little more.

Watching the rise is part of the fun, so make it a ritual: squeeze, set it down, and let it come back while you do something else. Pieces that get a full rise between squeezes tend to hold their shape and their look much longer on the shelf. A patient collector gets the best rise every time.

Cleaning without damage

Dust and fingerprints build up on any shelf. To clean a SquishMe, lightly dampen a soft cloth with plain water, wring it until it is barely damp and wipe the surface gently. Let the squishy air-dry completely at room temperature before you put it back or squeeze it again. A shaded spot by an open window works well for drying.

Skip the sink, the washing machine and strong cleaners. Water soaking into foam can change its texture or tear it, and harsh products may lift paint. Scented pieces will lose their scent faster with heavy cleaning, so a quick wipe now and then is the best approach. Your squishy will thank you with many more slow rises.

Where to keep your squishies

Heat and direct sunlight are the main enemies of slow-rise foam. Keep squishies away from sunny windowsills, radiators, car dashboards and hot lamps, where foam can warp and colors can fade. A shaded shelf or a drawer at room temperature is ideal. Give each piece a little breathing room so nothing gets squashed flat for weeks at a time.

Pets love soft things that smell interesting, which makes a scented squishy especially tempting. Store SquishMe out of reach of dogs and cats, and keep them away from very young children too. Never let anyone pull at small parts, tags or details, and always check the age grade printed on the package.