How to Clean Your NeeDoh Without Damaging It
Your NeeDoh goes everywhere with you: school, the couch, the bottom of your backpack. So of course it gets dirty. The good news: cleaning it is easy, as long as you're gentle.
First rule: check the package or Schylling's website for care instructions. If the maker says something different from this guide, follow the maker.
What you need
- A bowl of lukewarm water (not hot)
- Mild dish soap or hand soap
- A soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel
- Clean hands
Step-by-step
1. Check for damage first
Look closely for tears, holes or leaks. If it's damaged, don't wash it. Water can get in, or filling can come out. A damaged squishy should be retired.
2. Make soapy water
Add one small drop of mild soap to the lukewarm water and swish it around.
3. Wash gently
Dip your fingers in the soapy water and gently rub the squishy's surface. Pay attention to spots that collect lint, like dents, edges and corners. Don't leave it soaking.
4. Rinse
Rinse under lukewarm running water, or dip it in a bowl of clean water, until the soap is gone.
5. Dry
Pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Then let it air-dry on a clean surface at room temperature. Don't put it in the sun or near a heater to speed things up.
Cleaning mistakes that ruin squishies
| Don't | Why |
|---|---|
| Use hot water | Heat can weaken the skin and change the filling |
| Use a hair dryer, heater or microwave | Heat can make squishies burst, and hot filling can cause serious burns |
| Put it in the freezer | Schylling warns that freezing is misuse and can cause injury |
| Use alcohol, nail-polish remover or bleach | Strong chemicals can damage the surface |
| Scrub with a brush or rough sponge | Can scratch or tear the skin |
| Put it in the washing machine or dishwasher | Too rough and often too hot |
How often should I clean it?
Whenever it starts to look dusty or feel tacky, or every couple of weeks if you use it every day. A quick wipe with a damp cloth between washes helps too.
Still sticky after washing?
Some squishies get stickier with age. A tiny dusting of cornstarch on a clean, dry, undamaged squishy can help. Brush off the extra. If it's oily, wet or smells strongly of chemicals, stop using it. Those can be signs of damage.
More in Why Is My Squishy Sticky?
Keep it cleaner for longer
- Squeeze with clean hands
- Keep it in a zip bag or small container in your backpack
- Don't put it down on dusty floors or fuzzy blankets
- Keep it away from pets, who love to chew squishies
Sources