Why does a new squishy sometimes smell? (and how to get rid of it)

You have just opened your squishy and there is a smell of plastic coming off it? That is normal, it is common, and it goes away. Rather than pretend it does not happen, we would rather explain where it comes from and how to get rid of it in a few days.

Where does the smell come from?

Squishies are made from polyurethane foam or TPR gel. These materials are heat-moulded, then sealed in airtight plastic almost immediately after manufacture to protect them in transit.

The result: the volatile compounds released during moulding have had no time to evaporate and stay trapped in the bag. When you open it, they all come out at once. It is exactly the same phenomenon as a new yoga mat, a fresh pair of trainers or a car seat straight out of its box.

The smell is stronger on PU foam, which is porous and holds more, than on TPR gels, which are denser and virtually odourless.

How long does it last?

Left in the open air, a foam squishy loses most of its smell in 2 to 5 days, and all of it within one to two weeks. A gel squishy is generally neutral by the second day.

If you do nothing and the squishy stays in a closed drawer, on the other hand, the smell can linger far longer. So the most effective step is also the simplest: take it out of its packaging and let it breathe.

Four ways to speed it up

1. Airing, the basic method. Put the squishy on a shelf, in a ventilated room, out of direct sunlight. 48 hours is enough in most cases. It is the only method with no risk at all to the material.
2. Bicarbonate of soda, for foam. Put the squishy in an airtight box with a small dish of bicarbonate of soda — without the two touching. Close it and leave for 24 to 48 hours. The bicarbonate absorbs odours without dampening the foam.
3. Soapy water, for gel only. A wash in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, then a thorough dry, is enough to neutralise a TPR gel. ⚠️ Never do this to PU foam: it soaks up water, takes days to dry and can go mouldy right through.
4. A tea bag or dried coffee grounds. Same principle as the bicarbonate, in a scented version. Effective, but it leaves a faint coffee or tea smell instead — up to you whether that is a fair trade.

What you must not do

• Put it in the washing machine. Foam tears, gel deforms. Either way, there is no going back.
• Leave it in full sun to "air it faster". Heat warps the material and leaves the surface tacky.
• Spray perfume or air freshener on it. That just layers two smells on top of each other, and some solvents attack the surface.
• Put it back in its plastic bag. That is the surest way to keep the smell for months.

When the smell is not normal

A faint new-plastic smell that fades within a few days: normal. A strong, chemical smell that persists beyond two weeks in the open air, or a surface that turns sticky: not normal. In that case, get in touch and we will exchange it or refund you.

We would rather say it plainly than leave any doubt: our 14-day satisfaction guarantee covers this too.

Common questions

Is it dangerous? The smell of a new material is not in itself a sign of danger, but it is unpleasant. To be on the safe side, air the squishy before handing it to a child, and repeat the basic rule: a squishy never goes in the mouth. More detail in our article on squishies and safety.

Do all squishies smell? No. TPR gels, being denser, are practically odourless from the moment you open them. It is mainly large PU foam pieces that are affected.

What about scented squishies? Some models are deliberately scented during manufacture (vanilla, strawberry, cream). That fragrance is intentional and fades naturally over time without disappearing entirely.

👉 To keep your squishies in good shape over time, read how to clean and care for your squishies as well.