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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 Sanitizedog 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.
This will remove contaminants and also help get rid of tough stains on your dog's toys.
How To Clean Dog Toys After Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease usually found in canines. If your dog has kennel cough, he may recover soon enough, but you must make sure to wash his toys while he recovers. This is because a kennel cough can surviveup to 48 hours on the toy's surface.
To clean your dog's toy, you should use a mixture of equal volumes of vinegar and water. For hard toys, you can use dishwater, whereas soft toys should be washed inside a washing machine.
Can You Put Dog Toys With Squeakers In The Dryer?
After your dog's toys are out of the washing machine, you can dry them using a dryer. But is a squeaky dry dangerous? Well, you should always stick to a low heat cycle. Higher levels of heat can cause irreversible damage to the speakers inside your dog's toy. A low heat cycle would be safe instead.
Some pet owners may prefer avoiding a dryer altogether and instead hang their wet dog toy squeaker over a washing line in the sun to dry. Once your dog's toy is dry, you may want to test the speakers inside and see that it is still functioning properly.
How Often Should You Wash Your Dog's Toys?
Dog toys are a lot dirtier than you think. According to NSF International, dog toys are among the “top ten germiest home items." Since your dog will be putting his toys in his mouth, you want to make sure you clean them properly to remove any contaminants.
According to experts, you should wash your dog's toys at least once a month; however, weekly cleanings would be ideal.
If your dog's toys are being used a lot more frequently outside or in the dirt, or you see your dog playing with them right after a meal, it may be better to wash them at least once a week.
What Can You Wash Dog Toys With That Is Safe?
You should avoid toxic disinfecting products such as bleach and regular detergents when washing dog toys, as these can pose a threat to your pup. Instead, you should use pet-safe laundry detergents to clean them.
If you want a safer option, you should clean your dog's toys using a mixture of half water and half white vinegar. This safe cleaning concoction can be used to wash your dog's toys by hand, in the washing machine, or dishwasher.
Plus, you don't have to worry about the smell; it goes away once your dog's toy dries.
How To Get The Smell Out Of Dog Toys?
It is natural for your dog's toys to eventually start smelling. Many dogs may have a habit of chewing on their toys which can leave an odorous residue on them. However, there are ways to stop your dog's toys from smelling. A simple wash cycle will do.
For this, you can use a dishwasher; just be sure to keep it at a lower heat level. If you have softer polish toys or rope toys, you may be better off washing them in a laundry machine.
However, be sure to avoid using regular detergents and instead invest in a quality dog-friendly detergent.
Finally, you can dry out your toys using a dyer or do it the old-fashioned way! Hang them up all afternoon in the sun.
Should You Wash New Dog Toys?
If you have recently got a new dog toy for your dog, it may be best to submit it to a prewash cycle. This is especially important if your dog is just a few months old and his immune system is still developing.
Moreover, if the toy you bought was left out for an extended period of time outside, you will want to wash it.
The toy be left outside will accumulating dirt, grime, bacteria, and all sorts of contaminants..
This is why it is a good idea to stick to cleaning your dog toys regularly, even if they are new.
As long as you follow the proper washing guidelines, your toys won't suffer any damage and will remain good as new for your dog to play with!
When Should You Throw Away Dog Toys?
There comes a point where your dog's toy may no longer need a wash cycle.
It may be time to replace them altogether. If you notice toys breaking or tearing, you should discard them, not only because they will unravel in the wash cycle but also because they may pose a choking hazard for your dog.
In other cases, they may lead to an intestinal blockage, which is equally life-threatening for your dog.
This is why the next time you are about to put your dog's toys into the washer, it’s to inspect them first for signs of damage. If you are worried about your dog's toys tearing too quickly, you can rotate your dog's toys from time to time instead.
There you go, now you know how to wash dog toys. Cleaning dog toys is not difficult. All you have to do is follow our tips and tricks and your pup will have clean, sanitize toys that will ensure good health for him and you as well.
