How to Clean Pet Toys: Rubber, Plush, Rope and Cat Toys

Pet toys spend their lives in a mouth, on the floor and under the sofa. A stuffed rubber toy collects dried peanut butter, plush toys get soaked in slobber and dragged through the yard, and rope toys hold moisture and smell. Washing them is easy once you know which method suits which toy. This guide covers rubber and treat toys, plush and squeaky toys, rope toys and cat toys.

It follows the cleaning advice of two dog toy makers, KONG and BARK. Always check the tag or packaging of your own toy first: as BARK puts it, the manufacturer’s instructions are always the best place to start.

How often to clean toys

Food and treat toys: after every use, before leftovers dry.
Rubber chew toys and balls: whenever they look grimy or slimy, and after outdoor play.
Plush and rope toys: every week or two for favorites, or when they smell.
Straight away after a toy has been in vomit, urine or mud.

Rubber and treat-dispensing toys

KONG’s cleaning steps for its rubber toys:

Rinse with warm water and dish soap.
Soak stubborn leftovers. If dried treats such as peanut butter do not rinse out, KONG suggests soaking the toy in warm water and dish soap to loosen them. For a toy that has been lost under the furniture for a while, KONG suggests soaking it in warm, soapy water for at least an hour.
Scrub the inside with a KONG brush, an old toothbrush or a bottle brush. KONG also suggests a chopstick for poking out treats stuck in the opening.
Rinse thoroughly and dry it with a towel or on a dish rack.

Can it go in the dishwasher?

KONG says all KONG rubber toys are top-rack dishwasher safe, can be washed with your normal dishwasher detergent, and that you should skip the drying cycle, as excess heat can damage the toy. That applies to KONG’s own rubber toys. BARK warns that dishwasher heat could damage other rubber or plastic toys, and says that unless a toy is explicitly stated to be dishwasher safe, you should hand wash it in a warm tub or sink instead.

For a quick clean of slobber between washes, KONG says you can run the toy under warm water, or spray it with a hose outdoors.

Plush and squeaky toys

BARK’s advice for plush toys with squeakers:

Check the tag. Some plush toys are surface wash only.
Check the toy is still intact. BARK says a toy that is falling apart at the seams is better replaced than washed, to avoid a mess or a choking hazard.
Wash in cold or warm water, not hot. BARK says squeakers and fillings could be damaged by hot water. Use a gentle or delicate cycle for softer and older toys, and a scent-free detergent.
Use a mesh laundry bag for toys with a lot of parts, as BARK suggests.
Squeeze out the water gently after the wash.
Dry on low heat or, preferably, in the sun. BARK warns that high heat could damage or even melt a plastic squeaker or filling.
Test the squeaker once the toy is dry. If water is still inside, it may not squeak until it dries further.

Shake or lint roll the hair off first, so it does not end up in your machine. See pet hair and odor in the washing machine and dryer.

Rope toys

Follow the label. Many cotton rope toys can be machine washed with your pet’s bedding or hand washed in warm, soapy water.
Rinse well so no detergent stays in the fibers your dog will chew.
Dry them completely, in the sun if you can. A thick rope knot dries slowly from the inside and starts to smell if it stays damp.
Replace frayed rope toys. Loose strands can be swallowed.

Cat toys

Plastic balls and wands: wash in warm, soapy water, rinse and dry.
Fabric mice and plush toys: follow the tag, as for dog plush toys. Toys filled with catnip or with electronics inside often cannot be soaked, so check the packaging.
Feathers and strings: wipe or brush them clean, and replace them when they come loose.
Toys that live near the litter box need washing more often; see cat litter tracking cleanup.

Smelly toys

For a seriously dirty toy that smells of mold or mildew, BARK suggests an all-natural detergent in the washing machine, or soaking it in a mix of one part white vinegar and one part warm water before scrubbing. BARK also says that if a toy still smells after one or two washes, it is best to throw it away and replace it.

What not to use

Bleach. BARK says no: skip the bleach on dog toys.
Scented detergents, fabric softener and air fresheners. Your pet puts the toy back in its mouth.
The dishwasher for toys the maker does not say are dishwasher safe.
High heat in the dryer for squeaky and plush toys.

Store toys clean and dry

Keep toys in an open basket or a bin with holes rather than a closed box, so damp toys can dry. Rotate a few at a time: fewer toys out means fewer to wash, and your pet stays interested. Wash the toy basket now and then too. For the bowls they share space with, see how to clean pet food and water bowls.

For lick mats and puzzle feeders that hold food, see how to clean lick mats, slow feeders and puzzle feeders.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit has gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch, for the floors and fabrics around the toys. It is not for the toys themselves: wash those with soap and water as above.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a KONG in the dishwasher?

Yes, on the top rack. KONG says all its rubber toys are top-rack dishwasher safe, and to skip the drying cycle because excess heat can damage the toy.

Can you wash dog toys with squeakers?

Usually, if the tag allows it. BARK suggests cold or warm water, a gentle cycle for softer toys, and drying on low heat or in the sun, because high heat can damage the squeaker.

Can I use bleach on dog toys?

BARK says no. Use dish soap or a scent-free detergent instead, and rinse well.

When should I throw a toy away?

When it is falling apart, has loose pieces or strands your pet could swallow, or still smells after one or two washes, as BARK advises.

Sources

KONG: How to clean a KONG
KONG: Are KONG toys dishwasher safe?
BARK: Can dog toys with squeakers be washed?

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow the toy maker’s instructions and the product label. If your pet swallows part of a toy, call your veterinarian.