How to Safely Wash Dog Toys

How to Safely Wash Dog Toys

The Reasons Behind Disinfecting Dog Toys

A dog's most beloved toy is usually with them at all times. We take that specific toy on walks, to the dog park, and throughout the house.

Slobber, dirt, and other things that cling to the ground get stuck to it.


This implies that anything from staph germs to mold, mildew, and fungus could be hiding in dog toys. When they go on walks or to the dog park, there's a chance they could get infected with parvovirus or distemper. In addition to all of that, you run the danger of contracting Giardia or E. Coli from contaminated feces, which can spread to people.

How Frequently Should Your Dog's Toys Be Cleaned?

According to a survey by NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation), dog toys rank among the top 10 most contaminated items in the house, therefore it's a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning AT LEAST once a month. Weekly cleaning, however, is preferable in a perfect world.

Cleaning your toys every day is a good idea, especially if they are worn out from heavy play and are coated with filth, slobber, and who knows what else. This is particularly valid for toys that have been outside of your house and backyard.

Should your dog consume raw food, clean its toys daily.

Cleaning toys on a daily basis is crucial for dogs who follow raw food diets and adore them. According to studies, these diets may include potentially dangerous bacteria including Salmonella and Listeria. Your dog may be infected with these bacteria if they enjoy playing with their toys soon after eating. You run the risk of inadvertently ingesting anything if you handle these toys and touch your mouth. Always wash these toys right away after your dog eats and plays with them to exercise caution.

Check out the Tersano cleaner below, which uses water to remove Listeria and Salmonella and greatly simplifies toy cleaning.

An Everyday Cleaner That Can Save Lives

This cleaner is a necessity for daily use before you go into the detailed cleaning directions for each kind of toy.

We often forget when we've cleaned, much less thoroughly cleaned, our dog's toys because life is so busy. Simply using Tersano's iClean® mini to spray your dog's toys will take care of this issue. We are so sure that this cleanser is safe for pets that we have added it to our store and are giving our readers 10% off (use code petsafe10 at checkout).

I adore this product because it uses only tap water, doesn't include any chemicals, and effectively eliminates a lot of common viruses and germs. It's an FDA-approved product with a wide range of domestic applications and material compatibility. Even if a pet gets their hands on the toy before it has completely dried, it is totally safe for them.

According to studies, it can kill 99.99% of dangerous germs in 5 minutes, including Salmonella and E. Coli, which are frequently discovered on dog toys (in as little as 30 seconds on some surfaces). Moreover, it can reduce parvovirus by 99.44% in 5 minutes.

You may quickly disinfect your dog's toys in between thorough weekly cleanings by following this procedure. Give the toy a thorough spray, then let it sit for at least five minutes. Rinsing and scrubbing are not required. Find out more about the iClean® little disinfectant.

In addition to removing pet odors, the iClean® small is excellent for plush or fabric toys and dog beds.

Depending on the kind of toy, there are many ways to clean it for your dog. Always check the packaging to see if there are any cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer for toys.

How to Keep Dog Toys That Are Stuffed or Rope

Stuffed toys can harbor dust mites in addition to all the other nasty things that can collect on their surface. Dogs may become allergic to them, just like humans, thus getting rid of them is crucial.

Similar to plush toys, rope toys can be cleaned (see below). Usually, you may wash them in warm or hot water because they don't include any plastic parts or adhesive. If they are clean and devoid of any metal or plastic components, they can be quickly sanitized. Give them a five-minute soak in water. Squeeze out any extra moisture. Next, give them a minute or so in the microwave. Allow to dry by air.

It is common practice to wash stuffed toys in a washing machine. Select a cycle that you believe works best with those specific toys. The ideal cycle is usually the Delicate, Hand Wash, or Gentle cycle.

Generally speaking, when washing stuffed animals, a mesh laundry bag is advised. This keeps any components or pieces that may have fallen off enclosed and helps protect them.