Your furry friend needs his toys. For most dogs, their toys are a necessity. Not only do they help your dog behave by offering a nice distraction, but they also provide comfort when your pup is feeling nervous.
Dogs spend a lot of time playing with their toys, which can often lead to the accumulation of dirt and grime all over the toy.
Apart from that, bacteria from your dog's mouth may also reside all over the toy's surface. You may not even notice how dirty your pet's toys are until you pick them up or give them a sniff.
Instead of replacing your dog's toys every time they get dirty, you should sanitize and disinfect them to protect your dog's health.(and yours!)
Here is a complete guide on how to Sanitize dog toys.
Quick Links
- Can I Wash Dog Toys With Squeakers?
- How Should I Wash My Dog's Toys?
- Can You Machine Wash Dog Toys With Squeakers?
- Can You Wash Dog Toys With Detergent?
- How To Safely Clean Dog Toys Without A Special Cleaner?
- How To Clean Dog Toys With Baking Soda?
- How To Clean Dog Toys After Kennel Cough?
- Can You Put Dog Toys With Squeakers In The Dryer?
- How Often Should You Wash Your Dog's Toys?
- What Can You Wash Dog Toys With That Is Safe?
- How To Get The Smell Out Of Dog Toys?
- Should You Wash New Dog Toys?
- When Should You Throw Away Dog Toys?
Yes, you can wash dog toys with squeakers or squeaky dog toys. But how to wash dog toys with squeakers? Find some tips below.
How Should I Wash My Dog's Toys?
If you have a dog toy to be cleaned, you should first inspect the label or packaging for any instructions on how to best clean them. You can also scour the manufacturer's website for any guidelines.
If you are still not sure how to wash them, start by choosing the right cleaning products. You can easily wash them using pet-friendly cleaning products. However, the method you employ will depend on the type of toy you have.
For hard toys, you can drop them into your dishwasher; however, make sure the manufacturers state them as dishwasher safe. You should use a washing machine and a puppy-friendly laundry detergent for soft dog toys.
Can You Machine Wash Dog Toys With Squeakers?
Yes, you can wash dog toys with a squeaker inside your washing machine. Toy squeakers for dogs that are soft such as plushies, rope toys, and tennis balls are easier to wash in a washing machine.
However, be sure to avoid using hot water for your wash cycle. Hot water tends to damage your toys' exterior and interior fillings. Instead, you should use cold or warm water to wash your dog's squeaking toys.
You should wash softer or plush squeak toys using gentle cycles. If your squeaky dog toy has many parts, you may want to place it inside a mesh bag before you put it in the washing machine. And as always, use a puppy-friendly detergent or gentle soap and vinegar to wash your dog's squeak toys.
Before you wash any toys, be sure to inspect them for signs of damage. If you throw damaged toys in the washing machine, they may easily unravel during the wash cycle.
If the toy seems to be in good shape, you can go ahead and put it into the washing machine. If the squeaker is removable, you should consider taking it off before washing.
If your squeaky dog toy is a soft plush toy, you may want to use a gentle detergent to wash them.
If it is a harder toy (dog squeaky toy made of rubber or plastic), you can easily hand wash them using soap and water; scrubbing them with a sponge, rag, or Q-tips to get in hard places. This will help remove contaminants.
Can You Wash Dog Toys With Detergent?
Most laundry detergents aren't exactly safe for dogs.
This is because they contain ionic and anionic surfactants, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues for your dogs, such as vomiting and diarrhea, or respiratory issues, such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing.
Luckily, many types of pet-safe detergents are now available on the market. These are free of harsh chemicals and therefore pose no threat to your puppy.
For example, there are many plant based detergents using plant derived enzymes. Looking at the ingredients is a good way to ensure they are natural and safe for pets.
If you aren't sure about purchasing one, you can skip detergent altogether and try this below.
How To Safely Clean Dog Toys Without A Special Cleaner?
One way is use half water, half vinegar solution, which is equally effective.
Find another effective way to wash dog toy without harsh chemicals below.
How To Clean Dog Toys With Baking Soda?
You can use baking soda as another safe alternative to laundry detergents and harsh disinfectants. For this, you simply need to sprinkle the baking soda onto your toys and add a few capfuls of white vinegar during the wash cycle.
You can also alternatively use a mix of both baking soda and vinegar.
- Mix your baking soda and your vinegar until you get a paste-like solution.
- Once the paste is ready, use an old toothbrush to rub the paste all around the toy in circular motions.