Best Way To Clean Dog Toys Effectively

What Happens If You Don’t Wash Dog Toys?

If you don’t wash your pet’s toys, they may accumulate dirt or become smelly within a very short period of time. That’s because playing with toys involves chewing or mouthing, or both.

Consequently, your pet’s favorite toy may become a breeding ground for bacteria or other horrible germs [1], which poses a health hazard not only to your beloved pet but also to you and your family. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain the cleanliness of your pet’s play items.

How to Wash Dog Toys?

Hard Toys

Hard toys are quite easy to clean. To get started, you should use a container with part water and part white vinegar. Then you can soak the rubber or plastic ones in the white distilled vinegar and water mixture, wash thoroughly and allow them to dry without heat.

Soft Toys

Individuals with allergies are familiar with dust mites. These are tiny bugs that love living in your mattress, bedding and your pup’s soft toys. They cause allergic reactions and can make people and animals sick. Try to clean any soft or plush toy in hot water and baking soda in the washer-dryer. Use low heat to dry them and make them as good as new.

Rubber Toys

Like plush toys with squeakers, these should be cleaned regularly. Though it can be tempting to run a plastic or rubber dog toy in a dishwashing cycle, heat could melt and destroy the toy. Therefore, make sure to check the maintenance instructions for the dog toy first. Unless it’s clearly indicated that the toy is dishwasher safe, try to hand wash and let them dry to remove any dirt or germs instead. High heat would destroy the toy.

Rope Toys

Soft rope toys could become a breeding ground for bacteria, so you should sanitize them one by one. Simply wet and microwave them for at least a minute. The second cleaning option is to pass the toy through the dishwasher cycle without detergent or vinegar. Running the dirty toys through the dishwasher will help to kill as much mold, yeast, and bacteria as with the microwave’s cleaning method.

Food-Dispensing Toys

Natural products like pig ears and rawhides should not be washed. Instead, they should be used under the close supervision of the owner. This will help prevent your puppy from swallowing very large pieces or gobbling it down too fast.

DIY: How to Wash Dog Toys the Natural Way?

You don’t need to use any special items to clean your dog’s best toys. To wash dog toys the natural way, ordinary dish soap and warm water can do the job well.

You may fill the sink with enough warm water, add some dish soap and immerse your pet’s toy. If they are very dirty, allow them to soak for some time to loosen up all the grime instead of washing them directly.

Use a brush or sponge to wash one toy at a time. Then rinse thoroughly under clean, running water. Shake or rinse to remove any excess water and let them dry.

Tips to Maintaining the Cleanliness of Dog Toys

Maintaining the safety and cleanliness of your pet’s toys must be done regularly to help keep your best friend happy and healthy. Always check the label for cleaning instructions but many toys can be run in a washing machine cycle.

Another step you can take to prevent your dog’s toys from smelling like dog drool is to keep your pet’s dental hygiene in check. Your veterinarian can tell you how to brush your pup’s teeth at home. This will help ensure your pup’s breath isn’t the reason for their smelly toys. Those that can be chewed are also a great option.

While you don’t need to wash your dog’s playthings on a daily or even weekly basis, it is advisable to frequently wash the toys that they play with often.