Meta: Clean toys by material to protect your pet’s health.
Dirty toys collect bacteria, saliva and dust.
By material
- Fabric and plush: machine wash on a gentle cycle, with pet-safe detergent, or hand wash. Air dry fully.
- Rubber: wash with warm water and mild soap. Rinse well.
- Hard plastic: wash with soap and water.
- Rope toys: wash and dry thoroughly, then check for fraying.
- Wooden chews for small pets: don’t soak. Replace when dirty.
- Cardboard: not washable, so replace.
How to clean
- Remove food and debris.
- Wash with mild, unscented soap.
- Rinse until there’s no soap left.
- Dry completely, because damp toys can grow mold.
Safety tips
- Avoid strong chemicals, bleach and scented products.
- Never give a toy that still smells of cleaning products.
- Clean food-dispensing toys after each use.
How often: weekly for toys used daily, and right away after they get messy.