Why It’s Important to Wash Dog Toys

From Yeast to Mold to Bacteria, There’s a Lot of Stuff on Their Toys That You’d Be Horrified to Know Is Going into Your Pup’s Mouth. Similar to the Difference Between Slippers and Sneakers, the Grossness Depends Greatly on Where You’re Taking the Toys. “Toys That You Take to Public Places or Go with Your Dog to a Boarding Facility Can Transfer Communicable Illnesses from Other Dogs to Yours and Even Yourself, ” Explains Cathy Brooks, Abpsa, Apdt, Founder and Canine Counselor at the Hydrant Club. the Ones That Just Stay at Home and Are Only for Your Dog Don’t Require Nearly Enough Vigilance.

How to Wash Fabric Dog Toys

Askeland Says That Plush Toys Are Easy to Throw in the Washing Machine with the Rest of Your Laundry Using a Pet-Safe Detergent Such as Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent (Buy from Amazon, $14.24) Which Contains No Dyes or Synthetic Fragrances and Uses a Combination of Plant-Based Cleansers and Enzymes That Are Tough on Stains but Gentle on Your Pets, Their Toys and Your Clothes. Don’t Want Rover Chewing on Even Pet-Safe Detergent Remnants? Simply Add a ¼ Cup of White Vinegar into Your Washer in Place of Detergent and Run a on a Gentle Cycle. “You Can Also Wash Them in the Sink or Tub with a Mild Soap and Water Combo or Pet-Safe Cleaner, ” Adds Askeland. If a Toy Has a Combination of Materials, Both Hard and Soft, It’s Best to Hand Wash It, ” Askeland Explains. the Same Recommendation Applies Here: Use a Mild Soap or Pet-Safe Cleaner.

How to Wash Dog Toys with Squeakers

Unless Your Dog Toys with Squeakers Are Plush, Putting Them in the Washing Machine Might Render Them Un-Squeakable, and Therefore Should Be Hand Washed Instead. If They Are Plush, However, They Should Be Fine as Long as You Keep in Mind These Tips:

How to Wash Hard Dog Toys

According to Askeland, Hard Toys Like Rubber Kongs Can Be Washed in the Sink or Tub with Mild Soap or Pet-Safe Cleanser — or Even the Dishwasher If They’re Able to Stand up to Heat, There Aren’t Any Electronic Elements, and You Use Pet-Safe Detergent.

How to Wash Dog Rope Toys

Some, Like Rohl Steiner, Insist That “Rope Toys Shouldn’t Go in the Wash Because They’re More Likely to Hold onto the Moisture and Mold. ” Instead, You Can Just Brush out the Debris and Spot Clean. Askeland, on the Other Hand, Recommends Washing Rope in the Sink or Tub with (You Guessed It) a Mild Soap or Pet-Safe Cleaner, Making Sure That “They’re Fully Soaked and Then Wrung out Well Before Being Laid out to Dry. ” Often, the Rope Toys Are Too Heavy for a Washing Machine and Also Risk Being Tangled in It.

Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe for Dogs?

The Go-to for All Kinds of Cleaning Projects, Including Hard and Rope Dog Toys, Dawn Dish Soap Is Safe for Dogs (As Is Any Other Mild Soap). One Warning from Brooks: “If the Material Is Porous, You’ll Want to Then Soak It in Hot Water to Make Sure You Remove All the Soap. ” If You Find Anything Stronger Is Necessary, Just Throw the Toy Out. “Remember, This Is Something That Goes into Your Puppy’s Mouth, ” She Continues.

How to Rid a Dog Toy of That Rubber Smell

First, Consider This Rule from Brooks: “If I’m Repelled by the Smell of a Toy and I Don’t Want It in the House, I Don’t Buy It. If a Toy Has a Really Chemical Type of Stink, I’d Worry Less About Removing the Smell Than I Would About My Dog Having It in Its Mouth. ”

How to Wash Dog Toys According to Canine Pros

By Sophia Al-Mansoor

• Oct 8, 2026 • 7 min read

How to Wash Dog Toys According to Canine Pros

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

In Between Training, Walks, and All the Snuggles, Figuring out How to Wash Dog Toys (And Then Actually Washing Them) Is Probably Low on Your Puppy Priority List — But, Simply Put, Dogs’ Mouths Are Gross. So Are the Floors, Outdoors and Everywhere Else Pets and Their Playthings End Up. So You May Want to Add Getting the Toys Cleaned to That List. the Big Question? How to Wash Dog Toys If They’re Plush, Plastic or Rope and What Cleansers Are Safe to Use to Ensure Fido Stays Healthy. We Asked Pet Pros to Weigh In.

Sophia Al-Mansoor

Global Business & E-Commerce Reporter

Sophia analyzes international trade, startup ecosystems, retail transformation, and supply chain logistics for modern digital publications.

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