How to Clean Dog Toys: Methods for Every Material

If you’re shopping, start with our guide to the best interactive dog toys for boredom. Dog toys collect saliva, dirt, and food, so the favorite chew quietly becomes one of the grimiest things in the house. Knowing how to clean dog toys is simple once you sort them by type: hard rubber and plastic wash easily by hand or in the dishwasher, rope and fabric toys go through a hot wash and a thorough dry, and plush toys take a gentle machine cycle. The key throughout is rinsing away all soap and drying completely so nothing harbors mold. A clean rotation keeps a rope toy or chew safe for play. This guide walks through cleaning each type, how often to do it, and when to retire a toy.

Quick Verdict

Clean hard rubber and plastic toys with hot soapy water or the dishwasher, wash rope and fabric toys in a hot machine cycle, and run plush toys through a gentle wash in a mesh bag. Rinse off all soap, dry everything completely to prevent mold, and use pet-safe cleaners only. Clean toys regularly and retire any that are damaged or shedding pieces.

Why Trust This Guide

Key Takeaways

Sort toys by type: hard rubber and plastic, rope and fabric, and plush each clean differently.
Hot soapy water or the dishwasher handles most hard toys; check they are dishwasher safe.
Rope and fabric toys need a hot wash and complete drying to prevent mold.
Use pet-safe cleaning methods and rinse off all soap and residue.
Retire any toy that is cracked, frayed, or shedding swallowable pieces.

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How We Researched This

This guide follows general veterinary pet-care guidance on toy hygiene, safe materials, and supervision during play.¹ It also reflects routine preventive-care principles around keeping a pet’s environment and gear clean.² Always follow the toy maker’s care label, which takes priority over general methods.

Why Cleaning Dog Toys Matters

It is easy to overlook, but toys are a hotspot for grime, so regular cleaning is part of basic pet care.

Toys Collect Bacteria and Dirt

Saliva, food residue, dirt, and the occasional trip outdoors leave toys coated in bacteria and grime. A toy that lives in a dog’s mouth and on the floor builds up a surprising amount of buildup between cleanings, which regular washing keeps in check. Toys that are chewed daily, carried outside, or shared between dogs accumulate the most, so they earn a place near the top of your cleaning rotation.

Damp Toys Grow Mold

Rope and fabric toys hold moisture deep inside, and a toy stored damp can develop mold that is hard to see. Thorough drying after every wash, and after water play, is what prevents this, which is why drying matters as much as washing.

How to Clean Hard Rubber and Plastic Toys

These are the easiest toys to keep clean and the ones that tolerate the most thorough washing.

Hand-Wash With Hot Soapy Water

Scrub hard rubber and plastic toys in hot water with a little dish soap, using a brush to reach grooves and crevices where food and saliva collect. Rinse thoroughly so no soap remains, since residue can upset a dog’s stomach, then let the toy dry.

Use the Dishwasher When Safe

Many solid rubber and plastic toys are dishwasher safe and clean well on the top rack without detergent, or with a pet-safe option, since the hot water sanitizes. Check that the toy is labeled dishwasher safe first, and skip this for anything with electronics, batteries, or glued parts.

Clean Out Treat-Dispensing Toys

Hollow and treat-dispensing toys trap food deep inside, so use a bottle brush to clean the interior and rinse well. Old food left inside can spoil, so these benefit from more frequent cleaning than a simple solid toy.

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How to Clean Rope and Fabric Toys

Rope and woven toys hold the most hidden grime and moisture, so they need a real wash and a careful dry.

Machine Wash Hot, or Microwave Damp

Wash rope toys in the washing machine on a hot cycle, ideally in a mesh bag, using a pet-safe or fragrance-free detergent. For a quick sanitize between washes, a damp cotton rope toy can be microwaved for a short burst to kill surface germs, but only if it has no plastic or metal parts and you supervise it closely.

Dry Them Completely

This step is essential. A rope toy that goes back into the toy bin damp can grow mold inside where you cannot see it. Air dry rope and fabric toys fully in a sunny or well-ventilated spot, or tumble dry on low if the label allows, before returning them to play.

How to Clean Plush and Soft Toys

Soft toys can be cleaned without ruining them if you are gentle about it.

Gentle Machine or Hand Wash

Most plush toys can go through a gentle, cool machine cycle inside a mesh laundry bag, which protects seams and squeakers. For delicate or heavily stuffed toys, a hand wash in mild soapy water is safer. Use a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent and rinse well.

Dry Low or Air Dry

Air dry plush toys or use the lowest dryer setting, since high heat can melt squeakers or damage glued parts. Make sure the stuffing is completely dry before returning the toy, as damp filling can develop a musty smell or mold.

How Often to Clean and When to Replace

A simple routine keeps toys safe without much effort.

Set a Cleaning Schedule

Clean frequently used and treat-dispensing toys often, and give the rest a wash on a regular rotation, more often if your dog is sick, the toy gets visibly dirty, or it has been outdoors. A consistent schedule beats waiting until a toy looks grimy.

Know When to Retire a Toy

Cleaning cannot fix a damaged toy. Retire any toy that is cracked, splitting, frayed, or shedding pieces small enough to swallow, since these are a choking and blockage risk. Inspect toys during cleaning, which is the perfect time to catch wear, and replace them as needed. Our rope toy vs chew toy guide covers safe use of each.

Cleaning Toys After Outdoor or Water Play

Toys used outside or in water need a little extra attention before they go back in rotation.

Rinse Off Outdoor Dirt First

Toys that have been in the yard or on a trail pick up dirt, grass, and whatever else your dog rolled them in. Rinse off the loose debris before a full wash so you are cleaning the toy, not grinding grit into it, then wash by the method that suits the toy type.

Dry Water Toys Thoroughly

Toys used in a pool, lake, or sprinkler hold water inside, and a damp toy left in the bin grows mold. Squeeze out and air dry water toys completely after play, paying special attention to any that absorb water, so they are dry before the next session.

Build a Simple Toy-Cleaning Routine

A light system keeps toys clean without it becoming a chore.

Rotate and Wash in Batches

Keep a portion of the toys in rotation and the rest stored, then wash a batch on a regular schedule as you swap them. Rotating toys also keeps your dog more interested, and washing in batches is more efficient than chasing one grimy toy at a time.

Inspect While You Clean

Cleaning is the natural moment to check each toy for cracks, frays, loosening squeakers, or pieces worn small enough to swallow. Catching damage during the wash means you retire risky toys before they become a hazard during play.

Everyday Cleaning vs Deeper Sanitizing

Not every wash needs to be a deep clean, so it helps to know the difference.

Routine Cleaning

For everyday upkeep, hot water and mild dish soap with a good scrub and rinse handle the saliva and surface grime on most toys. This is enough for the regular rotation and keeps buildup from accumulating.

When to Sanitize More Thoroughly

If your dog has been ill, or a toy is shared among multiple dogs, a more thorough clean makes sense: a dishwasher cycle for safe hard toys, a hot machine wash for rope, or a pet-safe disinfecting method, always followed by a thorough rinse and complete drying.

Common Toy-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

A few habits make a clean toy unsafe.

Using Harsh Chemicals

Bleach and strong cleaners can leave residue that is unsafe for a dog to mouth. Stick to hot water, mild dish soap, or pet-safe cleaners, and always rinse thoroughly so nothing harmful remains.

Skipping the Drying Step

Returning a rope or plush toy to the bin while damp invites mold. Always dry toys completely, inside and out, before your dog plays with them again.

Cleaning a Toy That Should Be Tossed

Washing a cracked or frayed toy does not make it safe. If a toy is shedding pieces or falling apart, retire it rather than cleaning and returning a choking hazard to play.

Recommended Reading

Cleaning Dog Toys FAQ

How do I clean my dog’s toys?

Sort by type: wash hard rubber and plastic toys in hot soapy water or the dishwasher, machine wash rope and fabric toys hot, and run plush toys through a gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Rinse off all soap, dry everything completely, and use pet-safe methods only.

Can I put dog toys in the dishwasher?

Many solid rubber and plastic toys are dishwasher safe and clean well on the top rack, where hot water sanitizes them. Check that the toy is labeled dishwasher safe first, and avoid it for toys with electronics, batteries, squeakers, or glued parts.

How do I wash rope toys?

Machine wash rope toys on a hot cycle in a mesh bag with a pet-safe detergent, then dry them completely before returning them to play. Damp rope holds moisture inside and can grow mold, so thorough drying is the most important step.

How often should I clean dog toys?

Clean frequently used and treat-dispensing toys often, and wash the rest on a regular rotation. Clean sooner if a toy is visibly dirty, has been outdoors, or your dog has been ill. A consistent schedule keeps toys hygienic without much effort.

What cleaners are safe for dog toys?

Hot water, mild dish soap, and pet-safe or fragrance-free detergents are best, always rinsed off thoroughly. Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals, which can leave residue unsafe for a dog to mouth. When in doubt, plain hot water and a good scrub go a long way.

Can I clean plush dog toys in the washing machine?

Most plush toys handle a gentle, cool cycle inside a mesh bag, which protects seams and squeakers. Dry them on low heat or air dry until the stuffing is completely dry. For delicate toys, a hand wash is the safer choice.

How do I get the smell out of dog toys?

A thorough wash with hot water and mild soap removes most odors, and complete drying prevents the musty smell that comes from trapped moisture. For lingering smells, a soak in a mild vinegar-and-water solution before washing can help, followed by a good rinse.

When should I throw away a dog toy?

Retire any toy that is cracked, splitting, frayed, or shedding pieces small enough to swallow, since these are choking and blockage risks. Cleaning does not fix a damaged toy, so inspect toys as you wash them and replace worn ones promptly.

Should I clean a new dog toy before giving it to my dog?

Giving a new toy a quick wash is a sensible habit, since toys can carry manufacturing residue or shelf dust. A rinse with hot water and mild soap, followed by thorough drying, readies a new toy for safe play. Always check the care label first.

Can I use vinegar to clean dog toys?

Yes, a diluted white vinegar and water solution is a pet-safe option that helps cut grime and odors, followed by a thorough rinse and complete drying. It is gentler than harsh chemical cleaners, which can leave unsafe residue on toys your dog mouths.

How do I clean a squeaky toy without ruining the squeaker?

Hand-wash squeaky toys in mild soapy water rather than soaking or machine washing on hot, which can damage the squeaker, then air dry them fully. Avoid high dryer heat and the dishwasher for squeakers and any toy with electronic or glued parts.

Do I need to clean toys my dog rarely uses?

Toys in active rotation need cleaning most, but even seldom-used toys collect dust and can harbor grime, so give them a wash before returning them to play. Storing toys clean and dry between uses keeps them ready and prevents musty odors from setting in.

Can dirty dog toys make my dog sick?

Heavily soiled toys can harbor bacteria and mold, which is why regular cleaning is sensible, especially for shared or frequently chewed toys. Routine washing and complete drying keep toys hygienic, and if your dog shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian rather than assuming a toy is the cause.

Sources

American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet Owner Resources: safe toys, hygiene, and supervised play. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Preventive Care Guidelines and a Clean Pet Environment. https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/