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A beloved family activity is playing fetch or tug-of-war with four-legged friends. The hygiene of a dog’s toys may not be a priority for all pet owners. Toys for dogs take a beating and are prone to dirtiness. If you want your canine friends to have fun with clean toys, keep such toys in good shape, and keep your living area clean, then you should learn how to wash dog toys.
A dog’s favorite toy is likely the one they bring along on every adventure. That one favorite toy is always dragged along from the house to the yard, on walks, and even to the dog park. It gets slobber, dirt, and anything else lying around on the ground stuck on it. So, dog toys can have staph germs, mold, mildew, or even fungus. Taking them for walks or to the dog park increases the likelihood that they could contract a disease like parvovirus or distemper.
How often is it best to clean your dog’s toys?
Dog toys are among the dirtiest objects. You should give your dog’s toys a good wash once a month, at the very least. However, cleaning once a week would be preferable.
Toys covered in drool, dust, and who knows what else from rough play should be cleaned every day. This is particularly true for toys that have spent time somewhere other than your backyard and home.
Toys popular with dogs on raw food diets should be disinfected daily. According to research, these diets may contain the potentially dangerous bacteria. These microorganisms can enter your dog’s system if he or she enjoys playing with toys immediately after eating.
If you handle these toys and bring them into contact with your mouth, they can be a potential choking hazard. Caution should be exercised by constantly washing them right after your dog eats them and plays with them.
Why dog toys cleaning is necessary?
Playing is essential for keeping dogs healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. Cleaning their favorite toys on a regular basis is also essential to ensure that they have pleasure while playing safely and without risk of infection.
No matter where a dog goes, whether it’s inside, outside, to a dog park, on a stroll, or some other excursion, they usually bring their favorite toys along. A thick layer of spit, grime, dust, and whatever else your puppy might have been dragged through coats his cherished belongings after being played with is only scratching the surface!
As a pet owner, you understand the need to clean your pet’s playthings regularly. Maintaining a clean environment for your dog is essential to its health and happiness. One simple way to do this is to clean their toys on a regular basis. For plush toys, machine wash on a delicate cycle with a mild detergent or hand wash and let air dry.
Reassure your pet by gently pressing out any remaining water and allowing the toy to air dry entirely before returning it to them. At the very least, you should clean your pet’s soft plushies once a month and their hard chewable objects once every two weeks. The propensity for rope-based playthings to become breeding grounds for bacteria necessitates more frequent cleaning; wash them at least once per week or two.
Be careful not to leave any soap leftover when you wash your dog’s toys; instead, use pet-safe detergents. Is your dog’s favorite toy extensively chewed? If so, it might be time to get a new one. Nylon, rubber, plush, and rope toys are just a few options available at your neighbourhood pet store. You may even clean some of these toys in the dishwasher.
Does the washing machine clean dog toys?
You can wash your dog’s stuffed toys in the washing machine with a dog-safe detergent or some other all-natural cleaning solution. Be sure to check the care label before washing any of your pet’s toys. To remove any remaining detergent residue from washed toys, you can rinse them again before the wash cycle ends. Some washers even come with an integrated faucet, so you can wash your pet’s favorite toy by hand or with a spot cleaner.
How to wash dog toys in a right way?
The soft toys your dog loves could end up stinky and covered in slobber and grime. Ensuring your plush dog toys are clean and ready to play is easy if you know how to wash them. How to wash dog toys safely is this:
Things You’ll Require
- Goods and Materials
- Laundry detergent that is safe for pets
- Laundry machine
- An optional mesh laundry bag
STEP 1: Read the labels
Before you wash your dog’s toys, make sure the toy’s care label doesn’t mention washing it in the machine.
STEP 2: Put the toys in the washing machine
If you can remove the squeaker before washing, then it’s safe to machine wash the toy. If you don’t want the stuffing to come from the toys when you wash them, check them for tears. If you’re worried about the stuffing falling out of the toy, you can place it in a mesh bag. If you’re just cleaning a handful of toys, it’s a good idea to toss in some towels, dog blankets, or anything else to even out the load.
STEP 3: Add the detergent.
Put some pet-safe detergent in the washer or dispensers. The detergent shouldn’t contain bleach or other dangerous compounds.
STEP 4: Clean toys
Turn your washing machine on to a wash cycle. The best way to wash your dog’s toys is probably on a mild or delicate cycle. With this washer option, you can activate the Filter, which removes and catches pet hair from objects, by unleashing additional water and a deep rinse. The built-in Filter catches pet hair once it has been removed, resulting in a visible clean.
STEP 5: Make sure to dry completely
Once the toys are washed, they should be dried completely by letting them air dry or using a low heat setting in the dryer. Tumble drying the toys is fine, but you shouldn’t use dryer sheets.
Instructions for how to wash dog toys made of plastic, rubber, or nylon
To maintain toys in good condition and provide your dog with clean toys to play with, it is essential to wash toys made of plastic, rubber, or nylon. Before scrubbing your pet’s toys in the sink, use antibacterial soap and warm water to ensure they are pet-safe. You should wait until they’re dry before feeding them to your pet. To avoid damaging your dog’s toy while cleaning it, refer to the toy’s maker for cleaning guidelines.
Things You’ll Require
- Goods and Materials
- Antibacterial soap
- Water
- Scrubbing brush or toothbrush
Mix some antibacterial dish soap with warm water to clean your dog’s rubber or plastic toys. Brushes and scrub brushes can remove stubborn dirt and grime from hard-to-reach areas, such as crevices, or clean extremely grimy items. After a good rinsing in clean water, ensure the dog toys are completely dry before giving them another go.
Rules for How to wash dog toys (chewy ropes)
To clean your dog’s rope toys, follow the same steps you would for their plush toys. Here are the steps to take after a round of tug-of-war to prepare the rope toy for more action. First, prepare a basin or bathtub with warm water. Scrub the rope toy to remove any caked-on dirt or grime. After five minutes, let it soak.
Which detergent is considered safe for use on dog toys?
Only use detergents suitable for pets to wash dog toys in the washing machine. To prevent your pet from putting their toys in their mouths, check that the detergent you use does not contain any of the following:
- Bleach
- Sodium chloride
- Soap containing sodium lauryl ether sulfate
- Phthalates
- Synthetic colors
The easiest way to clean your pet’s toys is to ask your vet for advice on what products work best. Also, to make sure all the detergent is gone, give your dog’s toys one last rinse after washing.
What Are Some All-Natural Methods for Cleaning Dog Toys?
In the absence of a dog-safe detergent, you may want to consider a more organic approach to washing your dog’s toys. Instead of putting toys in the washing machine unwashed, try using soap nuts—which won’t dissolve—or dusting baking soda on them. Try adding some white vinegar to the detergent section for an extra natural touch.
Should You Wash New Dog Toys Before Use?
It’s a good idea to wash new dog toys before using them. It’s hard to tell if they’ve been chewed in the store or if they’ve been contaminated during shipping. Before washing your new toy, make sure to read the cleaning instructions.
How Can Dog Toys Be Disinfect?
One approach to cleaning dog toys is to put them through a special washing cycle that kills germs. However, the high heat used in these cycles could damage some dog toys. Prior to utilizing a sanitize cycle, make sure to check the care label.
Taking Care of Dog Toys
- Keep dog toys inside at all times. If left out in the weather, they may quickly become a haven for mildew and disease. Even in dry weather, toys are still vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays and the emission of harmful chemicals.
- Inspect the playthings your furry friends use on a biweekly basis.
- Do not be reluctant to discard a toy once it has served its purpose.
- The toy basket should be remembered. After cleaning them all, make sure to clean the basket that holds the toys.
Final Thoughts
Now you know why knowing how to wash dog toys is necessary. Cleaning not only removes all the “yucky” material, but it also makes your toys live longer. You can check for wear and tear on your dog’s toys more thoroughly when you clean them regularly. If a dog toy is too worn out to be cleaned properly, if it’s ripped or ruined and stuffing is falling out, or if it has bits coming off that could be dangerous if swallowed or choked, it’s time to throw it away.
Pet N Plants, a passionate group of authors who are devoted pet and nature enthusiasts. With over 15 years of experience in pet and plant care, our authors bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for all things flora and fauna. Each member of our team is dedicated to sharing insightful tips, detailed care guides, and the latest trends to help you nurture your beloved pets and plants. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a pet parent, our experts are here to support your journey in creating a thriving, vibrant home environment for all your living companions.
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