Tips for Cleaning Your Dog's Bedding, Toys & Bowls
How do you know when its time to clean your pet's stuff? A not-so-nice smell coming from your pet's bed may give it away but there's less obvious dirt that you need to worry about. While you don't want to go overboard here are some tips for getting the job done using pet-safe ingredients you probably already have in your home.
#1. My dog's bed is full of hair and even after washing it still doesn't come out!
You don't want your washing machine full of fur so the first step is to eliminate as much as you can BEFORE you toss it in the wash. Take a lint roller and try to remove as much of the excess as you can. A handy trick is to moisten the bed with a light misting of water then use a slicker brush to go against the grain of the fabric. This will pull up the fur and loosen the hair that has wound itself into the fibers of the bed. The water helps reduce the static and increases the grip of the brush. Next run the bedding through the dryer for 10 minutes on heat-free and tumble dry only. This will soften the fabric and loosen the hair from the fibers. Remove from the dryer, shake vigorously then toss in the washer. Use a mild, perfume-free detergent and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the wash.. it will help to further loosen the fur and also is great for dealing with odours. Give the bedding one final shake before putting in the dryer. Dry according to the directions on the tag, but air drying is also a great option as sometimes the filling can be bunch up. Dryer balls are helpful in reducing bunching as well as loosening any remaining fur. Make sure the bed is completely dry before letting your pet back on it! Don't forget to check the bed over for holes and loose threads or anything that could be chewed off and swallowed!
#2. How often should I wash my pet's food and water bowls?
This is a widely debated topic. On one hand you don't want to chance your pet getting sick from a germy bowl, but at the same time not all bacteria is bad. Some people suggest washing daily, even going as far as sanitizing it in the dishwasher but washing that often gets rid of not just the bad bacteria but the good as well. Have you ever noticed a pink buildup in your pet's water bowl? Its called bio-film and it can grow on practically every surface on Earth! It also appears in different colourations.. even clear so its not always easy to see. Biofilm is a collection of organic and inorganic, living and dead materials collected on a surface. It is made up of many different types of bacteria bound together in a thick substance that acts as a glue to both hold the bacteria together and adhere it to a surface. In larger concentrations it can lead to a buildup of plaque on teeth and has the potential to cause urinary tract, bladder and ear infections. But in moderate doses, the good bacteria found in biofilms can work as a defense against the bad by a process called colonization resistance. Basically the biofilm community band together forming a defense that is beneficial in the body and the gut. The important part is getting the balance right.
When picking a bowl, stick to ceramic or metal bowls. Avoid plastic as its porous surface is a haven for bacteria to hide. Keep an eye out for any chips as they are prime places to hold onto germs. But now to get down to the real question.. how often should you wash them?
Replacing the water daily is something you should always be doing. With us because we have six dogs, we replace our water several times a day. Because of their luscious mane, every Chow owner is familiar with the wet bib situation. Your dog takes a drink and their whole front is soaked. Dirt and food can get caught in there and this ends up floating into your water pail. Don't panic if you refill the bowl and after one drink the water starts looking questionable again but just be mindful that you may have to change your water out more often. Washing can be left to just once or twice a week. Some will recommend with really hot, soapy water but a natural germ-killer like plain white vinegar is a great alternative. Mix it with water in a spray bottle using 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water and shake well. We have a designated plastic scrub brush for the dog bowls etc.. just be sure to avoid anything that will scratch. You can pop it in the dishwasher once a month if you want to really kill the germs but the daily rinsing and weekly washing or two is sufficient enough. We also use a great all-natural product called Basic H2 by Shaklee.. (Check it out below!)
It's great not just for your dog bowls, but works for toys and even bedding as a detergent in the wash. You can also use it for cleaning your entire house! Its great for floors in particular because it doesn't leave behind any chemical residues like other cleaners. We even use it to wash fruit and vegetables! The product is a concentrate, so you can make TONS of spray bottles once you dilute it and we always keep one handy near the sink.
#3. How do I know when to clean my dog's toys?
While its important to periodically wash your dog's toys (particularly the plush ones), its just as important to be checking them regularly to ensure they aren't breaking down. If you have an aggressive chewer, you may have to check toys as often as every few days whereas with average chewers, you could probably get away with once a week. If in doubt about a toy, just throw it out! Better safe than sorry!
**A good tip if your pet has a favourite toy is to buy extras so if you have to toss one, you have a backup!
Things to look for:
* Loose threads
* Holes and rips where stuffing could come out
* Holes in rubber toys or missing bits that could potentially be swallowed
* Loose eyes or pieces, velcro, zips etc.
* Any sharp edges
Once you're ready to wash, be mindful of toys that have holes in them (typically squeakers) as they really shouldn't be submerged in water. You can use your vinegar and water mixture on them, or the Basic H2 if you have it- just spray them and let them sit for a few minutes then wipe clean. You want to avoid water getting inside them as it can be difficult for them dry out fully, and can end up growing mold.
For soft and plush toys, toss in the wash with a mild, unscented detergent (or Basic H2 again!). Add a splash of vinegar to the machine as well as it will further help with sanitizing and any odours. Hang dry if possible. Try and get in the habit of washing or atleast wiping down your dogs toys once a month if possible.
That's it! With any of your pet's belongings the main point is just to be mindful. You don't have to go over the top sanitizing and sterilizing but you don't want to go the other way and let the grime build up. Other items like crates, collars, harnesses etc. should just be done as needed. If you walk your dog more, if they are outside often or if they spend a lot of time in their crate then you may need to wash more frequently. Unless you're worried about parvo or other illnesses, you don't need harsh bleach or other chemicals and there are many alternative, natural disinfectants out there if you only Google.
Happy Cleaning!
