Chew Test Why You Need to Wash Dog Toys
Did you know that dog toys are one of the germiest items in your home? According to an NSF article (National Sanitation Foundation), coliform bacteria (which includes Staph bacteria), yeast, and mold can be found on pet toys. Dust mites can also settle into stuffed dog toys, which is bad news for people and pooches with allergies.
Washing dog toys is a two-in-one solution to dog toy maintenance, as you can do toy inspection and cleaning simultaneously. Inspecting dog toys after use or once a week will let you know if pieces are missing or if some toys are developing an unwanted odor, a sign of bacteria buildup.
Keeping your dog toys clean is very important if you have multiple dogs. When one of them gets sick, disinfecting dog toys can help prevent disease transmission to other dogs. Knowing how to wash dog toys is even more critical if the toys are used outdoors. Parasites like worms and their eggs can catch a lift on a toy and end up inside your dog.
We’ve made a ‘How to Clean Dog Toys Instructional List’ below with helpful information and tips to help you wash dog toys more efficiently with proper tools and methods. The goal here is to have an easy-to-follow routine so that cleaning dog toys becomes as natural as doing the dishes.
How to Clean Dog Toys Properly
Know Your Dog Toy Materials and Use
Different dog toy materials need different tools and cleaning methods. Always take pictures of the label or packaging and store them in a dedicated album on your phone before throwing them away. That way, you can always check cleaning instructions or advise others when you cannot clean the toys yourself.
An article by veterinarians.org separates dog toys into three categories: Rope Toys, Stuffed Toys, and Chew Toys. This is a great starting point to build your cleaning routine as each category needs different cleaning methods than others. Rope Toys and Stuff Toys need a proper wash and dry cycle because they are fabrics. Chew Toys can be brushed, wiped, rinsed and will dry faster than Rope or Stuffed Toys. Note that some toys can have multiple materials, and you should clean each part according to their suggested methods.
Indoor dog toys should be cleaned at least once a week. Outdoor dog toys should be cleaned after every use. While cleaning dog toys is essential for every pet parent, remember that dog toys don’t last forever which is why the same article from veterinarians.org suggests you replace dog toys when damaged to the point of chipping or coming apart. A rare case worth mentioning is when dog toys become contaminated with viruses, which is more difficult to detect, but your Vet will help you with this when the time comes.
Important Tools to Clean Dog Toys
Used toothbrush – This is great to clean dog toys with. They are soft enough not to cause damage to the toys and are able to scrub hard to reach places.
Dedicated Drying Towels – These towels should be small, water absorbent, and be tough enough to twist-dry. These need to be dedicated to dog toys to avoid the coming in contact with harsh chemicals that are dangerous to your pup when they need to be cleaned.
Pet-Grade Wet Wipes – These are perfect for quick spot cleaning at the park or other outdoor locations. They are also widely available at your local pet shop; some contain anti-bacterial properties which is always appreciated when dogs are involved.
Cleaning Agents – These are also widely available from your local pet stores and some veterinarian clinics or hospitals. Ask your vet what cleaning agents they use for their own dog toys and other dog gears to get good recommendations.
Vinegar Solution – This is a popular option among DIY pet parents. In this article by Hill’s Pet Food, a mixture of half water and half white vinegar solution is recommended. Soak the toys in the vinegar solution for 10 minutes, then clean and rinse as needed.
Baking Soda – This is another popular option for pet owners. Use baking soda when you need something to help scrub away at small indents or hard-stuck dirt/grime. An article by wagwalking recommended mixing four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of water for general cleaning. Fabric toys can be sprinkled directly with baking soda and scrubbed with a used toothbrush.
Large Soaking Bin – This is used to soak dog toys and soften all the gunk and grimes to make cleaning much more manageable. You can take care of other things while the toys soak, which is an efficient use of your time.
Pet-Grade Disinfectants – These are used after cleaning dog toys to remove bacteria, viruses, and other microbes from toy surfaces. Consider using a disinfectant if you have multiple dogs or dog toys that are frequently used outdoors. Always read the instructions very carefully as these agents have very specific uses and applications. Please consult your vet about this before purchasing any disinfectants.
Drying Zone/Rack – This is quintessential to dog toy cleaning. ALL dog toys must be left to dry after every cleaning session. Sun-drying is the best method, but air-drying is also works. Rope toys are notorious for their long drying period which allow bacteria and other microbes to thrive deep inside the fabric where it is still moist.
How to Wash Dog Toys the Right Way
Hand-Clean – When you clean dog toys by hand, you always follow the same routine: Soak, Scrub, Rinse, Dry. This applies to all dog toy types and materials.
Soak dog toys in plain water to soften dirt and debris, making the cleaning and scrubbing much easier. Then, you’d want to use some cleaning agent (consult your vet before buying cleaning agents) and scrub away all that dirt and debris from the surface. Pay attention to small nooks and crannies to ensure you dislodge everything your brush can reach. Then rinse the cleaning agent and dirt off; do this multiple times to make sure nothing is left behind or as needed.
You’d want to hang the toys to dry where your dogs can’t reach. If you are lucky enough to get sunlight, hang the toys under direct sunlight for faster drying and a natural disinfectant.
Dishwasher Machine – This method should be applied to dog toys with specific instructions on the manufacturer’s website or label/packaging. Clean dog toys by hand if they don’t come with machine-wash instructions.
Laundry Machine – Rope and fabric toys are most suited for this method. Soak and quickly scrub the toys before dropping them into the laundry machine. Again, stick with specific labels/packaging and manufacturer’s information.
Never use human-grade detergent with dog toys. They have harsh cleaning agents and scent-enhancing formulations that can harm your pooch. If your rope and fabric toys come without machine-wash instructions, you can try the gentle cycle with cold water, but we still recommend hand cleaning.
Dryer – You only do this when the manufacturer information explicitly says so. Drying machines get very hot and will damage most dog toys. Never use softening sheets for the same reason as human-grade detergents as mentioned above. Machine drying no-name brand dog toys will most likely damage them.
Quick Clean – Solid rubber or nylon chew toys can be quickly soaked, scrubbed with plain water, and left to dry after every use. However, you should still hand-clean them properly with a dog-safe cleaning agent at least once a week to prevent microbe build up.
All Pet Parents Should Know How to Clean Dog Toys
Create your own routine that you can do naturally like washing your dishes. Put everything you need to wash dog toys in one place and be thorough when you clean. It is too easy to simply put the toys away or leave them out to dry after a quick rinse, which can lead to bacteria buildup and possibly a sick dog. Your routine will improve and become more natural after every good cleaning session.
Always check with the dog toy manufacturer’s website for the best way to clean their products. Hand-clean solid toys once a week. Rope and fabric toys can be machine-washed if the packaging says so; otherwise, hand-clean them and always leave them out to dry completely. Avoid hot water and strong machine cycles if you are not sure. Now you know how to wash dog toys!
References:
https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/clean-germiest-home-items
https://www.veterinarians.org/how-to-wash-dog-toys/
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/play-exercise/how-to-properly-clean-dog-toys
https://wagwalking.com/wellness/squeaky-clean-the-amazing-benefits-of-baking-soda-for-dogs
