Wash Your Dog’s Toys: 

Around our house, Pippen is known for her love of toys! Her play bin resembles that of a toddler – she has EVERYTHING. From rubber toys to plush, you can seldom find her without her favorite toy of the moment in her mouth. 

It’s not often that pet parents think about cleaning their dog’s toys. Most people don’t realize the hazard their pet’s toys can be to their home, family, and of course, your fur baby. Unless you’ve just purchased it, there’s a pretty good chance that their favorite toy could require a little assistance. People don’t readily think of toys as a surface, but they are. Like any surface, they can harbor serious dirt, grime, germs, and odor. 

We try to wash P’s toys bi-weekly. Some may say that’s a little excessive, but it’s important to us to take measures to kill bacteria and other germs that can want to make your pet’s toy their home. Pick a toy washing schedule that works best for you while remembering the importance of sticking to a routine.

A couple of quick tips: 

Most toys (especially plush) have a tag that includes care and cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. Whenever possible, be sure to adhere to their recommendations for removing dirt, germs, grime, etc. Of course, if the tag is missing, use your best judgment. 

I always opt for a natural sanitizing solution for both plush and rubber toys. Keep your pet safe, and please stay clear of using bleach, peroxide, and Lysol-like products/solutions as they are not to be ingested.

*Fun fact: You can also sanitize their bones! As mentioned above, use a safe, natural sanitizing solution and let it dry before you give it back to them.

Plush Toys: 

I usually put P’s toys in a mesh mag and toss them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Since our detergent isn’t natural, I never use it during the wash cycle. In place of detergent, I toss in 1/4 a cup of vinegar. Then, I either let them air dry or toss them in the dryer for a bit. I like to use a very low tumble setting, and I never use a dryer sheet.

Rubber Toys & Bones:

It isn’t recommended to put bones in the dryer for apparent reasons. Instead, we take a utility bucket and fill it with boiling water and 1/4 a cup of vinegar and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. I then scrub them with a sponge or brush to remove the dirt and build-up. Since we wash P’s toys very often, I do this second step every other wash. Finally, let it air dry before you return it to your fluffy one.

Remember, cleaning your pet’s toys not only helps to make them a safe surface, but it can also help to prolong their shelf life.