A Guide to Cleaning Your Pet’s Accessories: Toys, Dishes and More

How often should you wash your pet’s belongings? How should you care for them? When is it time to toss them? If it’s pretty easy to know when to wash our own sheets and dishes, it’s not as crystal clear for our furry friends’ accessories. The good news? We’ve put together a simple guide to answer all your questions. Feel free to add it to your cleaning routine!

Bowls

Did you know your dog’s food and water bowls are the perfect home for germs and bacteria? Those little stinkers love them and can rapidly multiply, causing health issues to your pet. Let’s be honest, even if we love our fluff balls and want the best for them, their feeding accessories don’t always get the attention they deserve! Don’t feel bad and don’t panic! It’s easy to make it all better in a few simple steps. To start off on the right foot, choose the right type of material for your dog’s dishes, like ceramic or stainless. It’s good to know that if you choose plastic or other porous material, you must replace the bowls as soon as they have scratches or show signs of wear. For everything else, the following guidelines should help you keep your four-legged friend’s dishware safe and squeaky clean!  

• Wash the bowls daily in hot soapy water, discarding any food pieces first. Rinse and dry well.

• If you have a dishwasher and use it every day, simply put them on the top rack (rinse them first)! It is the best way to sterilize them and make sure they are really, really clean.
• A good tip: Keep an extra bowl for water. You can use it when the other one is in the wash so your pet doesn’t turn to other options to drink (i.e. the toilet bowl).

Toys

Ah! Your pet’s toys! He loves them, sleeps with some, chews them, likes to hide them and shares them with you when he wants to play. They have a tough life! A good rule of thumb is to wash them once a month or when needed. Just like your animal’s bowls, they can attract germs and are a good home for mould and mildew… Ewwww. If a toy looks really dirty or smells bad, check a few things before giving it a scrub. First of all, is it washable? Seems like an obvious one, but not all of them are. Most can be put in the dishwasher or laundry machine, but when in doubt, handwashing does the trick! In any case, make sure you wash them separately from your human family’s clothes and dishes. Before they go for a spin, check for any torn and loose pieces. If the toy is damaged, it can become a choking hazard for your animal and it should be tossed out. For your dog’s safety and the sake of our planet, it’s important to choose good quality toys. After a while, you will know what is suitable for your pet, his favourite toys and those who stand the test of time. Why not keep extras of the best ones in a hidden stash to replace the old ones?

Bed and Blankets

Here’s a familiar scenario: Max goes out to do his business, comes back in with dirty paws, escapes when you try to wipe off the mud and runs to his comfy bed. Who knows what he is bringing in from the yard? Sand, leaves, insects. Not ideal for your clean floors or your pet’s bed. Just like all his belongings, your fur ball’s bed and blankets should be washed regularly, preferably every week. On top of eliminating foul odours from your home, laundering his sleeping spot will keep your dog from smelling … like a dog! First take excess hair and dirt off the bed and blanket and then just toss in the wash! Hot water is best, in fact the warmer the better, just make sure to check the tag first. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying, but always make sure everything is thoroughly dried to avoid mildew and bad smells.

Leash and Collar

Leashes and collars should be washed once in a while but more than anything, they should be made of a resistant, antibacterial and antifungal material. Hemp has soft fibres and offers all these benefits, plus it keeps its shape even when wet and can resist a breaking load of 1100 kg… That should eliminate all chances of your pooch running away during his daily walks! Learn more here.

Voilà! Taking care of your pet’s belongings is not only important for his health, it also contributes to eliminating unwanted odours. It can only make living with your animal an even more enjoyable experience!