Would you eat off a dish teeming with bacteria? How about sleeping in a bed with dirty sheets? Of course you wouldn’t, so why would you expect your pet to? Even if it isn’t intentional, many pet owners don’t clean their pets’ belongings as often as they should.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Pet’s Stuff Clean?
Your pet uses plenty of things every day, especially food and water dishes, bedding, litter boxes, and toys. Cleaning these items is important to keep your pet, you, and your home healthy and safe. When your pet’s stuff isn’t a part of your normal cleaning routine, it leads to nasty things, like bacteria.
Some of the most common bacteria that can end up on your pet’s belongings are Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus. If you don’t clean your dog or cat’s stuff, it exposes your furry friend to these germs, making them sick and spreading illness to other pets and family members.
How Often to Clean Common Pet Items
This article discusses how often you should clean the most common pet items and how to clean them. It also gives tips on what to look out for so you know when it’s time to forget cleaning and replace your pet’s belongings.
Wash Pet Food and Water Bowls Daily
A study from North Carolina State University suggests that your dogs’ dishes could have as much bacteria as your toilet. Another study ranked 32 different surfaces for the presence of contamination and found pet dishes were in the top ten. It’s no wonder you’re supposed to wash food and water bowls daily.
However, the first study also found that even if pet owners were aware of the FDA’s guidelines for pets, they didn’t wash food and water bowls accordingly. But this is super important to make sure your pet doesn’t end up with any icky bacteria in their food (and their tummies).
Wash dishes with hot, soapy water and let them dry thoroughly. Some dishes are dishwasher-safe, typically for the top rack only. But check the specific cleaning instructions for your pet’s bowls before putting them in the machine.
If dishes are broken, cracked, or develop scratches (common with cheap, plastic styles), it’s time for replacement bowls. Those little scratches and cracks are excellent places for bacteria to flourish.
When and How to Clean Pet Bedding
It’s best to wash your pet’s bedding weekly, and it’s great if you can do so in the washing machine. But check the label on your dog or cat’s bed before you toss it into the washer. Some pet beds are spot-clean only, making them trickier to keep clean.
Other beds have certain pieces and parts that go in the washing machine, like a removable cover. If the bed’s machine-washable, remove as much hair as you can first using a lint roller or the FurDozer. Next, toss the bed or cover into the dryer for roughly 10 minutes to loosen any embedded hairs.
Wash it separately from the rest of your laundry (a ½ cup of white vinegar helps with odors), and remove it promptly. If it’s dryer-safe, toss it in, then shake it out when it’s done and clean your dryer’s lint filter. Otherwise, roll it in a towel to get as much water as you can, then let it air dry.
For beds that aren’t machine washable, you can hand wash using a mild detergent. However, for these beds and spot-clean only options, it might be worth switching to something that can go in the washing machine. It’s time for new bedding when the existing bed is ripped, heavily stained, losing its fluff, or becoming overly worn.
Tips for Cleaning Pet Crates
Wash your pet’s crate weekly if they use it regularly, after each use, or if it gets especially dirty. If your dog or cat uses a crate or carrier, cleaning it will depend on what the material is. Most crates are plastic or metal, making them relatively easy to clean.
Simply wipe them inside and out with a mild detergent and warm water. Alternatively, you can bring the crate outside, lather it up, and rinse it down with the garden hose. Dry it thoroughly.
Spritz the crate with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and let it sit for ten minutes to disinfect it. If you use a fabric carrier, check the cleaning instructions as it may be spot-clean only. It might be possible to still disinfect it with the vinegar and water solution, but test a small spot first to check for color-fastness issues or staining.
Replace crates if they have any broken pieces, cracks, or sharp edges. If any parts are bent and creating wider gaps, this increases the chance of your pet’s paws or head getting stuck. Also, if locks and closures are faulty, it’s time for something new.
How to Clean Pet Toys
Any toys your pet plays with regularly should get a weekly cleaning. If anything gets particularly dirty or grimy, it deserves an extra cleaning session.
How to clean pet toys varies, so you need to read the care instructions for the toy. You can wash some in the washing machine, and others can even go on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Other items are spot-clean only. If washing your pet’s toys by hand, use warm, soapy water, using a mild detergent, and let them dry completely. When machine washing, wash them separately from your belongings, preferably inside a mesh laundry bag.
Replace pet toys when they become broken or overly worn-out, fluff is coming out of them, or they have loose pieces. These issues could lead to choking hazards and other injuries.
Keep Grooming Supplies Clean
It’s important to clean your pet’s grooming supplies regularly to keep them bacteria-free. Clean them after each grooming session. Remove any fur and hair, then wash brushes, combs, and clippers with warm, soapy water.
Let the tools dry thoroughly, then disinfect them with a pet-safe solution or by soaking them in rubbing alcohol for ten minutes. (Make sure the rubbing alcohol is at least 70%.)
After disinfecting the tools, rinse them with water and let them dry. Use a soft towel or cloth to dry metal tools as soon as possible to prevent rusting. Replace tools when they are damaged, broken, dull, or worn down.
How to Clean Your Pet’s Leash, Collar, and Harness
Clean your pet’s leash, collar, and harness monthly (or anytime they get extra dirty or smelly). First, for any material, use a soft brush to loosen any dirt or debris, then wipe with a soft towel. Next, some leashes, collars, and harnesses are machine-washable. Place them in a mesh laundry bag, wash them according to their instructions, and hang them to dry.
Otherwise, use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to gently wash fabric styles. If applicable, let them soak in the soapy mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse and let air dry. For leather collars and leashes, use a leather cleaner, rinse with a damp cloth, then allow to dry.
Replace frayed, splitting, and broken items. Clasps that are worn down and don’t close fully are also reasons to toss old collars, harnesses, and leashes. If a collar or harness no longer fits your pet but is in good condition, consider donating it to an animal shelter.
Cleaning Your Cat’s Litter Box
A clean litter box is essential to a healthy home and a happy cat. Plus, it’s less likely your cat will use your floor as a bathroom if their litter box is clean.
Scoop the box daily (more often if it’s extra full or you have multiple cats). Liners help, but also clean the box every time you replace the litter (which should be weekly).
Soapy water is great, scrub any stubborn litter spots, and consider washing the box outside for less mess. Dry the box, disinfect with a vinegar-water solution, rinse, and dry. Sprinkling some baking soda before putting on a new liner helps neutralize odors.
Are You Cleaning Your Pet’s Belongings?
Were you surprised to learn how often to clean these pet items? Sometimes, pet owners simply don’t think about these things. But cleaning your pet’s dishes, bedding, and other items as part of a regular tidying schedule leads to happier, healthier pets and a cleaner home.
To go even further, check out how to organize your pet’s things, and see if you have the right cleaning supplies for pet messes. Visit the Neater Pets blog for more resources and insights into how to take care of your furry friend and be the amazing pet parent they deserve.