How to Clean Dog Toys Safely

Updated May 2026

This article is for general information only and does not replace veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s health, behaviour or safety, contact your vet.

Dog toys do not stay clean for long.

They are carried around the house, dropped outside, covered in saliva and sometimes filled with wet food.

Most toys can be cleaned, but they should not all be washed in the same way.

The care label and manufacturer’s instructions should always come first. You also need to decide whether the toy is still safe enough to keep. Washing will not repair split rubber, exposed stuffing, a loose squeaker or badly frayed rope.

In this guide, I will explain how I clean different types of dog toys, what I avoid using, and when I would replace a toy.

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Check the toy before washing it

Start with the label.

Some toys can go in a washing machine or dishwasher. Others should only be wiped or hand washed. Heat, soaking or a strong cycle may damage glue, plastic parts, squeakers and electronics.

Before cleaning, check for:

• split seams
• loose stuffing
• exposed squeakers
• cracks in rubber or plastic
• sharp edges
• missing pieces
• frayed rope
• trapped water
• an unpleasant smell that remains after washing

A toy should also be large enough that your dog cannot swallow it or lodge it at the back of their mouth. Dogs Trust and PDSA both recommend choosing toys of a suitable size and supervising dogs with toys that could break apart.

Cleaning a damaged toy does not make it safe again.

How to clean soft and plush dog toys

First, check whether the care label allows machine washing.

For a machine-washable toy:

1. Brush away dry mud and loose dirt.
2. Check the seams and remove the toy if stuffing is coming through.
3. Place the toy in a mesh laundry bag or tied pillowcase.
4. Use the cycle and temperature shown on the label.
5. Use a small amount of mild, fragrance-free detergent if the label permits it.
6. Add an extra rinse to reduce residue.
7. Air-dry the toy fully before giving it back to your dog.

Thick plush toys can feel dry outside while the filling remains damp. Give them enough drying time and check the centre carefully.

Do not machine-wash a toy containing batteries, an electronic unit, or a non-removable mechanism unless its instructions specifically say you can.

The RSPCA recommends removing dry dirt, washing suitable soft toys, and allowing them to air-dry fully.

How to clean rubber, silicone and hard dog toys

For ordinary hard toys, warm water and a little mild washing-up liquid are often enough.

1. Remove dried food and mud with a brush.
2. Soak the toy briefly in warm soapy water.
3. Use a bottle brush or old toothbrush to reach grooves.
4. Rinse the toy thoroughly.
5. Leave it to dry completely.

The RSPCA recommends brushing away hardened debris, washing hard toys with warm soapy water, rinsing them and making sure they are fully dry before use.

Do not assume every rubber or plastic toy can go in a dishwasher.

Use the dishwasher only when the manufacturer says the toy is dishwasher safe. Place it where the manufacturer recommends and avoid a heated drying programme if the instructions warn against excess heat.

KONG says its classic rubber toys can be cleaned on the top rack without a heated drying cycle. That advice applies to the relevant KONG products, not every rubber toy.

Any narrow cleaning brush is good to have for cleaning the inside of Kong toys.

How to clean food-filled enrichment toys

A toy that has held wet food needs more frequent cleaning than an ordinary ball.

Wash food toys after each use, particularly if they have contained:

• wet dog food
• soaked kibble
• yoghurt
• meat
• mashed fruit
• dog-safe spreads

Rinse the toy before the food dries inside it. If food is already stuck, soak it in warm soapy water and use a narrow brush to loosen the residue.

Check every groove and opening before refilling it.

KONG recommends washing food-filled toys after every use and using a toothbrush or bottle brush for stubborn residue.

Read my guide on safe canine enrichment ideas

A simple rubber enrichment toy is something every dog owner should have

How to clean rope toys

Rope toys need careful inspection before washing.

If the rope is fraying, strands are coming loose, or pieces are missing, replace it. PDSA warns that long pieces of rope or stuffing can be swallowed and may cause a blockage.

For a washable rope toy:

1. Check the care label.
2. Brush away dried mud.
3. Place it in a mesh laundry bag if machine washing is permitted.
4. Use the recommended cycle.
5. Allow it to dry all the way through.
6. Check it again for loose fibres before use.

I do not recommend microwaving rope toys. It is easy to overlook glue, synthetic fibres, hidden fixings or other materials that are not suitable for microwave heating.

Rope toys are often better suited to supervised games than unsupervised chewing.

How to clean squeaky toys and toys with holes

There is an important difference between:

• a toy designed with an opening
• a sealed toy that has been punctured

An open rubber food toy can often be cleaned inside with warm soapy water and a brush.

A sealed squeaky toy with an accidental hole may trap water and dirt inside. Do not cover the puncture with tape and submerge it. If you cannot properly clean and dry the inside, replace the toy.

For surface-clean-only squeaky toys:

1. Wipe the outside with a cloth and mild soapy water.
2. Wipe it again with a clean damp cloth.
3. Keep water away from openings and mechanisms.
4. Leave it somewhere ventilated until fully dry.

Electronic toys should be switched off and cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove the batteries first when the instructions allow.

How to clean snuffle mats and lick mats

Snuffle mats often hold crumbs deep between their fabric strips.

Shake or vacuum out dry food before washing. Follow the care label, as some can go in a washing machine while others need hand washing.

Let the mat dry fully before folding or storing it.

Lick mats should be washed after each use with food. Pay close attention to the textured surface, where small amounts of food can remain.

Only put a lick mat in the dishwasher if its manufacturer confirms that it is dishwasher safe.

• machine-washable snuffle mat – amazon
• dishwasher-safe lick mat – amazon link

Which cleaning products are safe for dog toys?

A simple method is usually best:

• warm water
• a small amount of mild washing-up liquid
• a mild fragrance-free laundry detergent when the label allows it
• a clean brush
• thorough rinsing
• complete drying

Avoid heavily scented cleaners, fabric softener and concentrated household products.

Do not use bleach, disinfectant spray or another strong product unless the manufacturer or your vet has specifically advised you to do so.

The Royal Kennel Club warns that bleach, detergents, dishwasher products and concentrated cleaning capsules can cause health problems when dogs ingest or come into contact with them.

I would not rely on white vinegar as a disinfectant. It may help with some odours, but ordinary washing, thorough rinsing, full drying and manufacturer-approved cleaning instructions are a safer basis for this guide.

Never mix cleaning products.

I have always found ecoegg really good for cleaning products

How often should dog toys be cleaned?

There is no single timetable for every household.

This is the routine I would use:

After every use

Clean toys that have held wet food.

As soon as they are dirty

Wash toys that have been dropped in mud, left outside, covered in food or brought home wet.

Every week

Inspect favourite toys, puppy toys and toys used by more than one dog. Wash them when they feel sticky, smell unpleasant or show visible dirt.

Every month

Check low-use indoor toys and clean the toy box.

If a dog has a contagious illness, do not share toys with other dogs. Ask your vet how the affected dog’s bedding, bowls and toys should be managed. Kennel cough, for example, can spread through contaminated shared objects as well as through the air. (Blue Cross)

Clean the toy box as well.

There is little point washing every toy and returning it to a dirty basket.

Empty the box and remove hair, crumbs and dirt. Wash or wipe it with warm soapy water, rinse where appropriate and let it dry before replacing the toys.

This is also a useful time to remove toys your dog no longer uses.

More tips on how to keep a clean house with dogs can be found in my guide

When should you throw away a dog toy?

Replace a toy when:

• stuffing is exposed
• The squeaker is loose
• pieces are missing
• Rubber is split
• Plastic has sharp edges
• rope is badly frayed
• It has become small enough to swallow
• Water is trapped inside
• mould is visible
• The smell remains after cleaning

Blue Cross recommends monitoring food toys for damage and stopping use when they become broken. PDSA also recommends checking toys regularly because broken pieces may be swallowed.

Do not keep a dangerous toy simply because it is a favourite.

Common dog-toy cleaning mistakes

Washing every toy in the same way

Material, glue, electronics and construction all matter.

Ignoring the label

A care label gives more reliable instructions than a general online cleaning tip.

Returning a damp toy

Moisture can remain inside stuffing, rope and hollow toys.

Trying to rescue badly damaged toys

Cleaning cannot repair split rubber or make exposed stuffing safe.

Using too much detergent

More detergent does not mean a cleaner toy. It makes thorough rinsing harder.

Treating vinegar as a full disinfectant

Use ordinary washing and manufacturer-approved methods instead.

Putting an unknown plastic toy in the dishwasher

Heat may distort some plastics, rubber, glue and internal components.

Microwaving rope toys

There is no need to take this risk.

Quick dog-toy cleaning checklist

Before cleaning:

• Check the care label.
• Inspect the toy for damage.
• Remove loose dirt and food.
• Separate soft, hard and electronic toys.

During cleaning:

• Use the method approved for the toy.
• Use mild products.
• Reach into grooves and openings.
• Rinse thoroughly.

After cleaning:

• Dry the toy fully.
• Check it again for damage.
• Clean the storage box.
• Replace anything unsafe.

Calm enrichment that suits the individual dog

Clean toys are only one part of safe enrichment.

The toy must also suit your dog’s size, confidence and chewing style. Some dogs enjoy a food toy quietly. Others become frustrated or try to destroy it. Puppies and heavy chewers usually need closer supervision.

I use calm, dog-led enrichment during my one-to-one work where it suits the individual dog. That might be sniffing, searching, gentle food games, or simply having more time to explore on a familiar route.

Related dog-care guides

Cleaning toys is easier when they suit your dog and are used safely.

• Complete Guide to KONG Toys
• Dog Enrichment Guide
• Clean Home with Dogs
• DIY Dog Toys for Enrichment
• Dog and Cat Care Guides Hub
• Recommends Hub

Frequently Asked Questions about cleaning toys