Why Some Squishies Have a Strong Chemical Smell
You tear open the package, give your new squishy its first squeeze, and... sniff. Something smells. Maybe faintly plasticky. Maybe sweet like candy. Or maybe sharp enough to make you pull your head back.
Not all squishy smells mean the same thing. Here's how to tell them apart.
Three kinds of squishy smell
1. The "new stuff" smell
Lots of new things have a faint smell when they first come out of sealed packaging: shoes, backpacks, phone cases. A light plastic or rubbery smell that fades quickly once the squishy is out in the open is common.
2. A scent added on purpose
Some squishies are intentionally scented, usually with something fruity, sweet or bakery-like. These are often marketed that way on the package. The scent should smell like what it says, not like a hardware store.
Even intentional scents aren't for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, allergies or get headaches from perfume, an unscented squishy might suit you better.
3. A strong chemical smell
This is the one to take seriously. A sharp, harsh smell, like paint, glue, nail-polish remover or gasoline, or a smell that doesn't fade after a day or two, is a red flag.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lists a strong chemical odour as one of the warning signs that a squishy may be counterfeit or unsafe.
Why a squishy might smell like chemicals
There isn't one single cause, but a strong odour can point to:
- Leftover substances from manufacturing still coming off the material
- Low-quality materials used to cut costs
- A counterfeit product that never went through the testing a real brand's product would
- A squishy that's breaking down, especially if an older squishy suddenly starts to smell
In 2018, Denmark's environmental protection agency pulled a batch of foam squishies after testing found they released harmful substances. We go deeper into that in Do Squishy Toys Contain BPA, Phthalates or Other Chemicals?.
What to do with a smelly squishy
If it's a faint new-toy smell: take it out of the packaging and leave it somewhere with good airflow, like a room with an open window, at room temperature. Many mild smells fade quickly this way.
Don't:
- put it in the sun or near a heater to "bake out" the smell (heat can damage squishies, and the CPSC warns that heated squishies can burst and cause burns)
- spray it with perfume or air freshener to cover the smell
- seal it in an airtight bag with your other squishies, where the smell can transfer
If it's a strong chemical smell, or it doesn't fade: stop using it. Keep it away from younger kids and pets, and don't keep it in your bedroom while you decide what to do.
If it came with other warning signs like an oily feel, unusual stickiness, leaking or no maker's name on the package, that's even more reason to retire it. Our check-up guide, How to Tell Whether a Squishy Is Damaged or Unsafe, covers those signs.
Feeling unwell?
If someone gets a headache, feels dizzy or nauseous, or has itchy, watery eyes or a rash after being around a smelly squishy, move away from it and get some fresh air. If symptoms don't go away, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
If filling from a smelly squishy was swallowed or got into the eyes, call the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-844-764-7669 (24/7). In an emergency, call 911.
Got it from a store?
If a new squishy from a store has a strong chemical smell, it's worth telling the seller and the maker. You can also report a product safety concern to Health Canada through its online consumer incident report form.
The bottom line
A faint new smell that fades: normal. A sweet scent the package told you about: intentional. A harsh chemical smell that sticks around: a sign to stop squeezing.
Prefer unscented squishies, or have a question about how one of ours smells? Browse the Catalogue and ask us before you reserve.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
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