How To Wash Dog Toys The Right Way

As a pet owner, keeping your pup’s toys clean and free from germs is important.

Not only does this reduce the risk of infection for you and your pet, but it also helps to extend the toy’s life!

That being said, regular cleaning can be time-consuming and challenging—not least because dog toys come in all shapes and sizes.

So if you’ve been struggling with how best to tackle cleaning your furry friend’s playthings, our article will give you an easy guide on how to wash dog toys without damaging them or taking too much of your precious time.

So grab a cup of tea, cozy up in front of your screen, and discover just what it takes to ensure that doggy playtime remains safe yet super fun!

Ways To Wash Dog Toys

brown dog with a toy

As a dog owner, you know that providing your pup with stimulating and engaging toys is an important part of their happiness.

But if those toys aren’t kept clean and fresh, they can quickly become unappealing to your pup.

Keeping up with sanitation for all their favorite playthings requires a bit of extra effort from pet parents, so it’s important to understand how best to keep them safely clean.

In this article, we’ll explore different methods of washing dog toys to help ensure your pup stays happy and healthy while playing!

4 Steps To Clean Dog Toys

Let’s first start with the 4 basic steps that will help you to know “how to wash dog toys”.

After, we’ll dive deeper in the different sorts of toys (plush toys, rope toys, soft toys, rubber toys,…).

1. Fill a bathtub or sink with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap

2. Gently submerge the dog toy in the water and use your hands to rub the suds around

3. Rinse the toy off with fresh water and let it air dry

4. Store the toy in a dry place when it’s not being used

Wash Rope Toys

light brown dog with a blue toy

When washing rope dog toys, It’s best to clean them regularly to keep your pup safe from harm.

Start by hand-washing the toys in warm soapy water and then rinsing them off with cold water.

For a deep clean, add about a teaspoon of baking soda to the rinse for extra cleaning power!

To dry the toy, hang it outdoors or lay it on an absorbent towel indoors until completely dry.

If you want to be extra cautious when cleaning, you can put the toy into a mesh laundry bag and launder it in cold water before air drying.

Doing this ensures that any dirt or dust is eliminated, and you know that your pup is playing with safe and clean toys!

Wash Plush Toys

little dog on grass with a toy in his mouth

Plush dog toys can be a great source of comfort and entertainment for your pup, but they also need special care to keep them clean.

Fortunately, cleaning plush dog toys is not difficult or time-consuming!

To get started, you should use lukewarm water to cool it so it won’t shrink or damage the fabric.

Next, use a gentle detergent on any dirty spots and lightly scrub with a soft cloth or sponge.

Finally, rinse and let air dry before putting it back in your pup’s toy basket.

With these simple steps, you can ensure your pup’s favorite plush dog toy looks and smells its best!

Wash Dog Toys With Squeakers

Cleaning and caring for dog toys with squeakers are important.

These toys can become breeding grounds for bacteria if not properly cared for.

To get squeaky-clean dog toys each month:

  1. Start by removing the squeaker from the toy and soaking it in hot soapy water to get rid of grime.

  2. Rinse off the soap and allow the squeaker to dry completely before putting it back into the toy.

  3. Clean any fabric components with a gentle detergent in warm water and let them air dry before reattaching the squeaker.

As an added precaution, you can also run your pet’s toys through a dishwasher cycle monthly or use an enzymatic cleaner that breaks down bacteria, such as Eucalyptus-derived Benzalkonium chloride or a bleach solution diluted to 1/20th of its original strength before air drying.

With regular cleaning, your pup will have squeaky-clean, safe toys each month!

Why You Should Disinfect Dog Toys

white grey dog with a toy in mouth

Disinfecting dog toys may seem unnecessary in caring for your pup, but it can provide many benefits.

Not only can regular disinfection reduce allergens in the home, but it’s also a great way to keep your pet healthy.

Harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites can accumulate on the surfaces of dog toys over time, potentially leading to your pet eating a pathogen if they chew on them.

Disinfecting pet toys regularly will help kill any harmful organisms lurking, potentially preventing illnesses later on down the line.

Plus, considering how much money is spent on veterinary bills every year due to preventable diseases, taking five minutes each week to disinfect toys could save you a ton of time and money long-term!

How Often You Should Clean Your Dog’s Toys

Taking the time to clean and disinfect your dog’s toys is an important part of being a dog owner.

Depending on how often your dog plays with each toy and what type of material it is made from, you should focus on cleaning them at least once a month.

A good habit to get into is to check all of the dog’s toys weekly, starting at the top and going down the list, ensuring that any toy that has been recently neglected should be wiped down or washed with gentle soap before playtime resumes.

Doing so will significantly reduce any bacteria buildup, contaminants, or germs that can potentially harm your dog’s health in the long run.

When Is It Time To Toss Dog Toys?

light brown dog with colorful toy

Dog toys come in various shapes, textures, and bright colors that make them fun for your dog to chew on, fetch and tug.

But dog toys can quickly become worn down over time, so it’s important to know when to toss the old dog toys and head off for some new ones.

Every dog is different, but toys usually last anywhere from one month to two years, depending on the frequency of use and the material of the dog toy.

Look for signs like tears or fraying, holes, significant chunks missing, or any objects poking out.

If you notice any of these signs, throw out the dog toy as they could be hazardous to your dog if they ingested pieces of them while playing or chewing.

It is important to discard old dog toys, especially since they are in close contact with your canine companion’s mouth.

brown dog laying on floor with toy

Keep an eye out for any tears or other signs of damage to keep your dog happy and safe.

Before You Go…

You now know how to wash dog toys.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.