Viral squishies could be causing hidden damage to your home, warns interior expert
From stained floors and carpets to damaged furniture, the viral squishy toys could be doing more damage to home interiors than parents realise, an interiors expert has warned.
The colourful squishy toys loved by children may look harmless, but leaving them on the same spot for a prolonged period of time, or accidentally bursting one, can cause permanent damage to your home.
Alex Heslop, Trend Expert at Flooring Superstore, says the problem is particularly noticeable on wooden floors, laminate and carpet.
“Squishy toys are designed to be soft and slightly sticky, which is why kids love them – but these very same properties can cause big problems when left in contact with flooring or other surfaces for a period of time.
“On finished wood and some laminate, substances within the toy can soak through the floor’s finish, leaving a greasy looking patch that is hard to budge. The longer the toy is left in one position, the greater the potential for a visible mark, particularly on lighter-coloured flooring.
“The damage can be more severe if the toy splits and its contents spread into carpet fibres or across a hard floor. Once the substance dries, it becomes much harder to remove without causing damage to the floor underneath.”
But there are a number of steps you can take if a squishy toy has stained your floor, according to Alex.
For finished wood or laminate:
“Gently wipe the affected area with a damp microfibre cloth and a small amount of mild washing-up liquid. Avoid excessive moisture and aggressive cleaning products, particularly on finished wooden flooring.”
For carpet:
“Remove any substances carefully using a blunt edge, then blot the affected area rather than scrubbing it. A small amount of mild soapy water can be used, but always test any cleaning solution on a small patch first.
“Products such as abrasive cleaners, strong solvents or vigorous scrubbing can damage the floor’s protective finish or push a sticky substance further into carpet fibres.
“If the mark has penetrated the finish, particularly on real wood, home cleaning may not be enough. In some cases, professional treatment or refinishing may be required. The best advice is to not allow squishy toys to sit in the same place on flooring for extended periods. Check them regularly for splits and leakage, and keep away from carpets and finished wooden floors where possible to help save hours of cleaning or expensive repair or refinishing costs.”
