Stuffed and rope dog toys can easily become a breeding ground for germs, which is why, as previously mentioned, they should be cleaned every two to four weeks. When it comes to how you wash them, you have a few options. Read on for step-by-step guides to washing stuffed and rope dog toys in the washing machine (Carzoli’s preferred method) and by hand.
In the washing machine
The washing machine wins points for convenience and is a safe option for most cloth dog toys, including stuffed toys and ropes. That said, experts at appliance company Maytag recommend that you avoid this method for squeaky toys unless the squeaker is removed, as it may damage the squeaker. With that in mind, here’s how you clean dog toys in the washing machine.
- Gather up dirty cloth dog toys and throw them in the washing machine.
- Add pet-safe detergent. You can also use either ½ cup of vinegar or baking soda. According to Carzoli, it’s best to use one of two unscented household staples if you don’t have a detergent specially made for pets, since the scents and chemicals found in regular laundry detergent aren’t healthy for pets. dogs.
- Run your washing machine on a normal cycle with water at the highest possible temperature setting and add an extra rinse for good measure.
- Let the washing machine run and throw the toys in the dryer on the air cycle for a bit until there is no heat or simply line dry when the cycle is complete.
With the hand
If you don’t have easy access to a washing machine or are dealing with stuffed squeak toys that don’t have removable squeakers, hand washing is your best bet. Here’s how to do it.
- Fill a basin with water. For regular plush toys, the hotter the water, the better; for squeak toys, cold water is necessary if you want to maintain their main function, because hot water can melt the rubber bit responsible for the squeak.
- Add pet-safe detergent to water according to label instructions; Alternatively, you can add enough distilled white vinegar to make a solution of 5 percent vinegar in 95 percent water.
- Submerge toys in water and let soak for 30 minutes. (Note: Prolonged soaking may damage squeaky toys.)
- Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the surface of the toy.
- Rinse the toys by holding them under cold running water and wringing gently to squeeze out any remaining detergent.
- Roll the toys in a clean dry towel to remove any excess water and allow to air dry.
