Dog Toys

How to Wash Dog Toys

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Dog owners! Just because a dog toy gets dirty, it doesn’t mean it needs to be thrown away. Learning how to wash dog toys can help you save a lot of MONEY by not having to buy new toys!

How to Wash Dog Toys

[saswp_tiny_howto headline-0=”h3″ step_title-0=”Remove Loose Parts” step_description-0=”If there are any parts of the dog toy that can be removed, take them off before washing.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ step_title-1=”Place Plush Dog Toys in Pillowcase” step_description-1=”Plush dog toys should be placed in a pillowcase for washing and drying. Other types of dog toys do not need to be put into one.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ step_title-2=”Put Dog Toys Into Washing Machine” step_description-2=”Put the dog toys into washing machine. ” image-2=”” headline-3=”h3″ step_title-3=”Set Washing Machine to Delicate Cycle” step_description-3=”Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle. The spin should be on low. The water temperature should be tap cold or cold.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h3″ step_title-4=”Place in Dryer or Hang to Dry” step_description-4=”If your dryer has an air dry setting, you can place the dog toys inside of it. Set the dryer on the lowest temperature setting possible, so you don’t shrink plush dog toys or melt rubber dog toys. Otherwise, hang or put dog toys somewhere to dry. ” image-4=”” count=”5″ html=”true” days=”” hours=”” minutes=”” cost_currency=”” cost=”” description=”Washing dog toys isn’t as difficult as you may think. Once you figure it out, you’ll be amazed by how easy it can be to wash them.”]

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Additional Information on How to Wash Dog Toys

Now that you have the steps on how to wash dog toys, the following information will help you make the process easier and give you additional ideas on how to wash them.

The Importance of Washing Dog Toys Properly

Don’t rush to the washing machine or sink with a bottle of bleach to wash dog toys before you read this article in its entirety. This is for the safety and health of your pooch.

You must wash dog toys properly or your dog may become sick, and forget about saving money – you’ll end up with expensive vet bills.

how to wash dirty dog toys

Factors Influencing How to Wash Dog Toys

Different dog toys call for different washing instructions – of course. It’s time to learn how to wash each type of dog toy:

Cleaning Instructions for Plastic Toys

Place plastic toys in the dishwasher and run them on the gentle cycle. Turn off the heat drying since you’ll need to rinse them when they are done. Yes, even if it’s gone through the dishwasher rinse cycle.

Be sure to share out excess water after they are done being washed. Some toys have holes and water can get inside them.

Allow the toy to dry completely before tossing it back to your pup.

how to clean dog toys

Cleaning Plush Toys

Plush dog toys are easy to clean. Toss them into your washing machine inside of a pillowcase. Don’t use laundry detergent just in case it doesn’t all get out of your dog’s favorite toy.

Running it on the hot water cycle is a good idea to kill some of the bacteria. Never use bleach with plush dog toys, as much as it seems like a good idea. The bleach can cause the material to tear. It can also be difficult to remove all bleach from fabric, which could make your pup sick if ingested.

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Washing Rope Toys

Rope toys can be a bit difficult to wash effectively. They have so many threads and twisting that getting out all of the bacteria is challenging.

Soak the rope in warm soapy water. You can also use white vinegar, as that can kill a lot of the bacteria.

After it has soaked for several minutes, place it in the washing machine’s rinse cycle. Set it in hot water to get rid of the rest of the bacteria.

Some pet owners place their rope toys in the microwave. The microwave has the power to sanitize dirty dog toys, but you’ll still have to wash them to get some of the dinginess out of them.

Be careful with rope toys: Dog Ate String from Rope Toy

Cleaning Rubber Toys

Rubber toys usually can’t go through a dishwasher cycle, as they would melt. It’s not a good idea to toss them in the washing machine because they can rip.

The best way to wash rubber toys is by soaking them in warm water and white vinegar. They only need to soak for a few minutes and then be rinsed thoroughly.

PreventiveVet.com recommends Unscented Dawn soap or pure castile soup as alternatives to white vinegar.

When using warm soapy water, be sure all of the soap is completely removed. Soap can irritate a pup’s belly leading to digestive issues.

When to Wash Dirty Toys

You should also know when it’s time to clean dog toys. A little slobber never heard anyone. However, when that slobber sits for a few days and it’s introduced to the outside world a.k.a. the backyard – bacteria can flourish.

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Would you want to put something back in your mouth after it’s been rolling around the dirt or after saliva has dried on it? Didn’t think so…

It’s a good idea to wash dog toys on a regular basis. Soft toys should remain soft toys – not crusty hard ones due to layers of saliva and dirt drying on them.

Once a week should be sufficient. Washing dirty toys more than that will likely cause them to not last too long, and washing them less than that will end up grossing your pup out and potentially cause illness from the bacteria.

Save Your Pet’s Toys – Start Washing!

Pet owners – you have a responsibility to ensure your pup’s favorite toys are saved from the perils of playtime. Follow the cleaning instructions above, and save them all.

Don’t be heroic, though. If your pet’s toys ever start following apart and become a choking hazard, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Toss the old, dirty toy out and buy a brand-new one. At least now, you know you’ll get your money’s worth.

An Additional Way to Save Money on Dog Toys

Squeaky toys are usually thrown out when they don’t squeak anymore, but did you know you can replace squeakers in dog toys? Check this out: Replacement Squeakers for Dog Toys

FAQ About How to Wash Dog Toys

[saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Can you machine wash dog toys with squeakers?” answer-0=”Yes, you can machine wash dog toys with squeakers. Make sure the washing machine setting is set to tap cold or cold water so the squeakers don’t melt. Never use detergent or bleach when washing dog toys in the washing machine.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”How often should dog toys be washed?” answer-1=”You should wash dog toys as soon as they start to smell bad or when they look dirty. ” image-1=”” count=”2″ html=”true”]

 

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