PU Foam vs Silicone Squishies

PU Foam vs. Food-Grade Silicone Squishies: What I Learned the Hard Way

So, let’s be real for a minute. We’ve all seen those videos—the slow-motion squish that somehow quiets your brain instantly. It’s weirdly hypnotic. You watch one clip, and five minutes later, you’ve added another squishy toy to your cart without thinking twice.

That was me for a long time.

If you wanted that classic slow-rise feel, PU foam was the default. Cheap, soft, everywhere—and honestly, pretty satisfying at first. My wake-up call came from a little green PU avocado squishy that lived on my desk. I squeezed it constantly during work calls and idle moments. After a few months, though, something felt off.

It started feeling slightly greasy, like it never fully dried. Then came this faint, sweet plastic smell that wouldn’t go away no matter how long it sat out. That was the moment I stopped and thought: what exactly is this thing made of, and why am I handling it all day?

The Not-So-Squishy Truth About PU Foam

I’m not here to scare anyone away from PU foam entirely—but there are a few things I wish I’d known earlier.

First, you can’t really clean it. PU foam has a porous structure, basically like a sponge. It absorbs oils from your hands, dust from your desk, and whatever else is floating around your workspace. You can wipe the surface, sure, but anything that’s soaked inside stays there. After a while, it doesn’t feel especially hygienic for something you’re squeezing dozens of times a day.

Then there’s the smell. That “new toy” scent isn’t just a smell—it’s often leftover chemicals slowly releasing into the air. Some brands manage this better than others, but it’s inconsistent. If you’re sensitive to odors, it can quietly ruin the whole calming effect.

And durability is another issue. Ultra-soft PU foam tears easily. One sharp fingernail or an overenthusiastic squeeze, and the surface splits. Once that happens, the inner foam starts breaking down into small bits. If you have kids or pets around, that’s not something you want to deal with.

After that experience, I realized I didn’t want a squishy that felt disposable.

Why I Switched to Food-Grade Silicone Squishies

That search led me to squishies made from 100% food-grade silicone—the same material used for baby products and high-quality kitchen tools. That label alone changed how I looked at these toys.

The biggest difference? I can actually wash them. Hot water, dish soap, a quick scrub—and that’s it. No lingering smells, no hidden grime. Because silicone is non-porous, nothing seeps inside. For something I keep on my desk and use every day, that peace of mind matters more than I expected.

The feel is different, but not worse. PU foam is all about that slow, melting rebound. Silicone has a denser, more elastic squish—kind of like squeezing mochi or soft dough. It pushes back a bit more, rebounds faster, and feels solid in a reassuring way. You can squeeze hard without worrying about tearing it, which makes it surprisingly satisfying in a different, more durable way.

I’ve personally gravitated toward silicone designs from brands that focus specifically on clean materials and durability—sites like bamsquishy.com, for example, where the emphasis is clearly on food-grade silicone rather than novelty foam. Once you get used to that texture, it’s hard to go back.

The Quick Takeaway

If you’re just curious and want to try a squishy toy once, a decent PU foam option is fine. Enjoy it while it lasts.

But if you’re someone who reaches for a squishy multiple times a day—during work, while thinking, or when anxiety spikes—food-grade silicone makes a lot more sense. It stops feeling like a disposable novelty and starts feeling like a tool you can actually rely on.

For me, that confidence—knowing it’s clean, durable, and safe to handle daily—ended up being just as important as the squish itself.