- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Spring is finally here, which means it’s time to open the windows, put on your favorite tunes, and get cleaning! As a pet parent, you may be eyeing a few of your dog’s (or cat’s) toys and supplies and wondering how exactly to clean and sanitize your pet’s bowls, leashes, beds, and other gear.
Rover spoke with National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) expert Lisa Yakas about the ways dog parents can efficiently and safely sanitize their furry friend’s belongings—items she says can be full of bacteria and germs. “Pet toys and bowls are considered some of the top germy spots in the home,” says Yakas. “Anything the pet puts in their mouth or drags in from the outside might be considered the germiest.”
In this season of renewal, we’ll help you learn how to tackle the germiest pet-related items in your home. Get that pet-friendly detergent ready!
How to Clean Pet Toys—and How Often
Your pet’s accessories may not always look unclean, but they can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, Yakas says. These germs not only pose a threat to your pets but can cause illness or infection among human family members, too.
Generally speaking, keeping pet supplies free of harmful germs starts with choosing easily-cleanable items and cleaning them often. Yakas advises against toys with cracks and crevices where bacteria can hide and grow. These items are often more difficult to disinfect, she says, so the NSF expert suggests opting for toys that are smooth and can be washed thoroughly.
Additionally, high-traffic areas and high-touch items deserve extra scrutiny—your pet could be tracking in anything from E. coli to streptococcus bacteria on their paws! “Pay special attention to areas that are frequently touched by pets,” says Yakas. “This could be bowls, toys, bedding, furniture, blankets, and carpet.”
Read on for general tips and hacks to clean specific pet item categories. Keep in mind that care instructions vary, and before washing anything, always check the manufacturer’s washing instructions.
Cleaning Dog Toys
Hard and plastic toys
When disinfecting hard or plastic toys, first check to see if they are dishwasher safe. If so, you can throw them into your washer, and if not, hand wash them using gentle dish soap. According to Yakas, after these items are washed, you’ll want to follow the steps below to ensure they are properly sanitized:
- Submerge the toy(s) in unscented household bleach solution made up of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
- Let them sit in the solution for one minute and thoroughly rinse.
- Let the items air-dry.
Plush and fabric toys
Yakas says that most plush or fabric toys can be cleaned with pet-safe detergent in a washer and dryer. She says adhering to an NSF-certified sanitization cycle for your washer and dryer will help keep them working the most efficiently to thoroughly clean your items and remove allergens.
Rope toys
There are many benefits of rope toys, which can keep your dog stimulated and even help with dental hygiene. However, these items easily collect bacteria. If your rope toy does not include plastic or metal pieces (100% rope), try the sanitization method below:
- Soak the rope in warm or hot water for five minutes.
- Wring out excess water.
- Microwave for about one minute (only if the toy includes no plastic or metal parts!)
- Let the rope air dry.
Cleaning Dog Beds
Like with our own bedding, the upkeep of our pet’s sleeping space is critical. Fortunately, most dog beds can be cleaned with pet-safe detergent in a washer and dryer cycle, according to the NSF.
Beds with washable covers
Instructions for washing beds with a removable cover may vary, but it’s typically safe to toss the cover into the washer after removing pet hair and stains as best you can. You will want to hand wash and air-dry the bed insert, before putting the two completely dry pieces back together.
Beds without removable covers
Pet beds without a removable cover may require gentler washing. If you are hand washing a dog bed, follow these steps:
- Remove as much pet hair as you can (for example, try vacuuming the bed or shaking it outside).
- Soak the bed in warm water and pet-safe detergent for 10-15 minutes.
- If necessary, scrub the bed with a toothbrush and baking soda to remove caked-on stains.
- Rinse well, ensuring all soap, baking soda, and filth is removed.
- Air-dry the bed until it is completely dry inside and out.
Oversized beds
Bigger dogs come with bigger beds! For these oversized items, the same steps apply, though you may choose to soak and hand wash larger beds in the bathtub using pet-friendly detergent and warm water.
Cleaning Dog Leashes and Collars
Your dog’s leash accumulates a ton of dirt, germs, and who-knows-what else. Leashes and collars, in fact, are one of the vectors that helps canine flu pass from one dog to another. So, even if your dog’s leash looks like it’s clean, it’s important to wash this much-used accessory on a regular basis.
Fabric, cotton, and rayon leashes and collars
Many leashes made from fabric can be cleaned in a washing machine. If your leash is washer-friendly, follow the steps below:
- Place the leash inside a mesh delicates bag to protect your washer from scratches. If you’re also throwing in a fabric collar, remove any tags.
- Wash with pet-safe detergent at the recommended temperature.
- Hang the leash to air dry.
You can also choose to hand-wash these leashes by letting them soak in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes before air drying.
Acrylic and plastic leashes and collars
Gently hand-wash your pet’s acrylic leash using dish soap or pet-safe detergent. Rinse thoroughly and hang to air dry.
Leather leashes and collars
Leather leashes are particularly delicate and often require careful hand-washing. You won’t want to soak these items, but you can gently wipe away dirt and gunk using your leash’s recommended care instructions.
Cleaning Pet Bowls
Safe and frequent cleaning of your pet’s food and water dish is essential. In fact, a study by the NSF ranked pet bowls as “the number-four germiest area in the home.”
The lingering germs that reside in a pet’s unwashed dish “can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other microbes that can make your pet and your family sick,” says Yakas. The NSF advises cleaning your pet’s bowls once a day by running them through the dishwasher (if dishwasher safe) or by hand washing them with hot water and dish soap.
Stainless steel and metal bowls
Most stainless steel and metal bowls are dishwasher safe, but you’ll want to clean out the residue of any wet food or kibble before placing a bowl into the machine.
Ceramic
Some ceramic is dishwasher friendly, but if it’s hand painted or very fragile, you will want to opt for manual cleaning. Make sure to scrape out food first, and then gently scrub the bowl with dish soap and hot water until clean.
Plastic
If you’re planning to put a plastic bowl in the dishwasher, check the product’s care instructions first. If the bowl is dishwasher-friendly, place the dish on the top rack so it doesn’t overheat. If you’re unsure about a plastic bowl’s specific care requirements, opt to hand wash.
You may also choose to hand wash your pet’s dish if you aren’t running the dishwasher every day.
Cleaning Areas of the Home
In addition to cleaning your dog’s gear, it’s important to disinfect the areas of your home that your pet regularly comes into contact. “Ensure that you regularly clean carpets and floors with a vacuum (preferably with a HEPA filter) to cut down on pet hair, dander, and airborne germs,” says Yakas.
As you deep clean your space, run an air purifier to help manage any sensitivities to pet dander and pet hair, and pay specific attention to the following areas:
- Carpets and floors
- Couches and furniture that your pet sits or sleeps on
- Blankets
- Entryways or mud rooms where your dog comes in from outside
- Bathrooms: The NSF recommends keeping your toilet clean and the lid closed to lower your pet’s exposure to germs that might make them sick.
A General Cleaning Timeline
The NSF recommends the following timeline for cleaning your pet’s supplies:
- Toys: Clean weekly or monthly, depending on usage. Toys used frequently should be cleaned once a week.
- Bedding: Clean weekly or monthly, depending on usage.
- Leashes: Clean weekly or monthly, depending on usage.
- Bowls: Clean your pet’s food and water dish daily.
“We always suggest that consumers follow the cleaning instructions from the product manufacturer,” shares Yakas. “You will also want to remember to wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, after handling pets and their accessories.”
Final Thoughts
Spring is the perfect season to clean and refresh your home. Incorporating regular cleaning practices into your daily and weekly routines will help keep you and your beloved pet safe, healthy, and happy throughout every season.