If you have dogs than you have dirty dog toys! It’s just part of our world #knowhatImean
But I had no idea how incredibly “gross” dirty dog toys actually were until the other day. #doodledirty
ONE EVENING –
Sitting on the floor hanging out with the Boys, Jax decided to bring me his favorite little lamb.
I was just about doodle-head level when the lamb crashed into my face. #helpmeJesus
OMDOODLE –
That was the nastiest thing I’d ever smelled (up close and personal) in my entire life. #knockedmeoffmyfeet
I shut my eyes tight, made a blowfish face with my mouth and held my breath for dear life. Jax thought I was playing so he leaned in with all his weight and I rolled backwards.
This excited him even more. #gofigure
Pawhaps he thought he was supposed to pass the lamb off to me – so while I was trying not too asphyxiate – he continued to push this disgusting, foul, nauseating, repugnant dead lamb in my face. #purenasty
Safe on the couch – spitting into my sleeve, I started to think really hard about the last time I’d washed their toys.
Scary when you can’t even fake a date, let alone a season or a year.
So I gathered up stinky lamb and all the other rank smelling toys…
…and tossed them into the washing machine…
I told Jax they were going for a “ride” and he seemed to be okay with that explanation…
There’s a great deal of information on the internet about cleaning dirty dog toys.
For this bunch I needed to bring out the big guns. There was too much dirt, drool, and grime for just one technique.
I GAVE THE TOYS TWO RIDES –
- The first was in warm water with a mild non-toxic laundry detergent #notalot
- The second was in hot water with baking soda and a little vinegar
Jax came back from time to time to check on his friends…
I let them flop around in the dryer for only a short time and then air dry #sofreshandsoclean…
When I look at the before and after photos I feel like I should be placed in time out. I should never allow them to get that odious. I’m sure they were packed with germs too.
SO I’M TAKING A POLL –
- How often do you wash dirty dog toys? #tellthetruth
- What’s your technique? #dotell
ONE MORE THING –
Have a great weekend & come back on Monday for our February entry of…
February 12, 2016
Honestly? I’ve never washed them, I was worried they might be ruined.
February 12, 2016
I thought the same thing, but these were so dirty I had to take that risk. If I couldn’t clean them I was going to have to throw them out – it was that bad. You know that sour milky smell? Multiple that! #ick So far – they’ve held up to the wash. I used the delicate cycle.
February 12, 2016
Truth time: never. I guess I’ll be joining you in time out! Piper tends to end the lives of our stuffed lovies pretty quick these days, so I am telling myself that’s a good enough excuse! Also, if a slightly dirty toy at least gives her something to chew besides dirt, grass, and sticks (which she would seem to prefer), then I consider it an improvement! I have not asked our vet but I’d also be curious to know if their saliva acts differently than ours in a way that “sterilizes” and prevents infection differently than if a human baby were to chew on a dirty toy.
February 12, 2016
Great question for the vet Amanda – I would be curious to know the answer. These have stayed around long enough to wear the title “dirty dog toys” proudly. But in the past I’ve had some that end up in the trash way before they get dirty!
February 12, 2016
Soft toys last about 20 minutes. Then they are in shreds. I only get Hard Rubber toys. I just wipe them off with a damp paper towel 🙂
February 13, 2016
I expected the majority of them to come apart Claudette. I did use the delicate cycle both times and they remained in-tack. I was surprised. Had that little nasty lamb got messed up, I wouldn’t have shed a tear LOL #hatethatnastything 🙂
February 12, 2016
Mom washed toys once and the squeakers all died, so she is not allowed to do that anymore. Bailie is the only one who plays with the toys, so they aren’t too bad and usually they fall apart before they get real disgusting.
February 13, 2016
After reading your comment Emma, I checked all the squeakers – still squeaking #whew These toys are mostly abused by Jaxson – but he’s a boy so you know they were flithy…
February 12, 2016
Lilly carries her toys outside … and leaves them there. So when I finally go and pick up the back yard, the toys go right to the wash. The first time I did it, Lilly sniffed everything when I brought them back to their spot in the dining room. Now, I think we all three love when the toy basket is loaded up with bright clean toys!
February 13, 2016
I think I’ve been inspired to remember to do this at leasts quarterly. That lamb stunk to high doodle heaven. I’ve never smelled anything quite like it #ick
February 12, 2016
Momma puts every last one of our toys on the washing machine! We call it water boarding
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
February 13, 2016
Water Boarding – that’s the PAWfect name for it too!
February 13, 2016
Um, wash the toys? Oh-oh…bad mommy. Yours turned out looking brand new!
February 13, 2016
Trust me Monika – if I hadn’t gotten hit in the face with that horrific smelling lamb – they would all still be dirty. LOL
February 13, 2016
Tucker isn’t allowed to take his outside (we are in an apartment) but I can’t handle the smell after he’s been chewing on them so they all get washed about once every 4-6 weeks!! None have fallen apart from washing. The rubber toys (kong and Nyla bones) get washed in hot water in the sink with a small amount of antibacterial dish soap. I’m a freak I know!!
February 15, 2016
Not at all Billie Jean. Those rubber toys can carry the same degree of bacteria #Ibelieve as the plush toys. I will try your hot water suggestion with the rubber toys. I’ve heard some people place them in the dishwasher. Doodle Dad would have a fit if I tried that one! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
February 13, 2016
Many of my dogs’ toys are permanently damp from slobber!
February 15, 2016
Oh Earllllll – throw them in the washing machine, you’ll fall in love all over again – #pawmise
February 13, 2016
My dogs don’t get stuffed toys (except Neeko gets supervised alone play with some rope toys) but I *try* to remember to wash their KONGS and other similar toys somewhat regularly.
OK, I haven’t in a while…
February 15, 2016
I got a “toy” cleaner from somewhere #productreview for the rubber toys. I’ve never used it #trueconfessions PAWhaps that will be next. The plush ones were in dire need of my immediate attention – so that was my focus.
February 14, 2016
It is very rare that I wash any toys. I guess I should because, you are right, they are really gross. I go through the toy box a few times a year and toss out the really grungy ones. Now you have me thinking…. Happy VDay – Your friends at DogDaz Zoo
February 15, 2016
I used to do the same thing. But then I noticed even though Jax is really hard on his toys, some were in great shape but just grimy and nasty. Trust me, I wasn’t diligent at all – not until the lamb incident – ugh! Hope you V-Day was special just like you!
February 15, 2016
I rarely wash our dogs toys. We have so many that they don’t get dirty that often. Usually anything with stuffing doesn’t last long in our house. Most likely, I need to go through their toys and throw away all of the shredded ones and replace them with new toys.
Yep, the dogs will love a ton of new toys.
February 16, 2016
Plush toys are really something that Jax likes. I think it’s the retriever in him, he will carry them around most of the day. He loves his hard toys (for chewing) but he slobbers on the plush ones regularly.
February 17, 2016
Ours usually just end up in bits and pieces anyway, but occasionally I will wash them if some happen to live very long. But mostly I just try to sneak them into the trash when they’re not looking!
I have experienced how they can smell though…it is not a good thing, not at all!
February 17, 2016
Try washing them Jan – I was surprised at how well they held up.
February 18, 2016
Cute! I wash my dog toys too. Hope your VD was a good one.
February 19, 2016
The ones I selected to wash really fluffed up nicely and made them look fresh. Jax was confused – thinks he found something new in toy box so he’s been slinging them around the room ever since. VD was fine – did you do anything special?
February 21, 2016
We have never washed any of their stuffies but boy could they use it! I was always too nervous, but I will definitely give it a try!
February 24, 2016
I did it on a gentle cycle and kept my fingers crossed. I didn’t, however, leave them in the dryer for long, just wanted to get most of the loose water out and then I placed them on top of the machine it dry over night. Yours should do fine.