Dogs are a man’s best friend, and sometimes they need a little help keeping their friendship clean. That’s where dog collars come in – they protect your pup from getting mucky while out on walks, and also keep their identification tags safe and sound. But what do you do when it’s time to give that collar a good scrub? Read on for tips on how to wash dog collars safely and effectively!
Table of Contents
Step by Step Process: How To Wash Dog Collar
Before you begin, gather your supplies:
Washing machine and detergent Fabric refresher Sponges or a cloth Scissors A clean rag
Step 1. Prepare the collar.
Take your dog’s collar out of his neck and identify the fastener holding it together. If it is a buckle closure, unsnap each half of the buckle by pushing the prong through the hole it fastens to. If it is a metal loop closure, unfasten it with pliers or wire cutters.
Step 2. Separate the collar into individual parts.
Depending on whether your particular collar has studs or not will determine how easily you are able to do this step. If your dog’s collar has studs, you can usually just snap or unsnap them and then hand-wash the pieces individually. If your dog’s collar does not have studs, it will be necessary to cut the strap at each side of the buckle.
Step 3. Clean the individual pieces.
Stains on metal: If the metal pieces are extremely stained, soak them in white vinegar for 5 minutes before washing.
Stains on fabric: If your dog’s collar has studs that can be removed, they will need to be soaked in water with a small amount of dish detergent or oxy-bleach for 1 hour. Do not let the studs sit for longer than an hour or they will rust. If your dog’s collar does not have studs, the fabric parts should be sprayed with a fabric refresher before washing.
Step 4. Place all pieces in the washing machine.
If you are washing the pieces together, make sure to separate any metal components from fabric components to avoid tangling and clumping. Do wash the studs and the fabric pieces together, as this will keep them from rusting.
Step 5. Put the inappropriate amount of detergent and water.
All parts present: Use hot water and 1 cup of added liquid laundry detergent or oxy-bleach (if no added fabric softener is used).
Partial load of only metal pieces: Use hot water and 1 cup of added liquid laundry detergent.
Step 6. Wash on the shortest, gentlest cycle available on your machine.
If you are washing all components together, set the temperature to cold or warm for gentle agitation. If you are washing only metal pieces, either turn up the temperature or add a fabric softener to the cycle for additional agitation.
Step 7. Hang the pieces to dry – do not use a machine dryer!
If you have a line on your property, it is fine to hang your dog’s collar up outside to dry. If you don’t have a line available, wood hangers are fine for drying the metal pieces, but fabric parts should be hung over plastic hangers to avoid any color transfer that might occur.
Step 8. Re-assemble the collar and attach it to your pup’s neck!
After you’ve finished washing your dog’s collar, reattach it to their neck in a safe and secure fashion. If you’re worried about attaching the collar too tightly (please, never leave a dog unattended with an attached and unsecured leash!) you can use a safety release. This is usually a small plastic clip that attaches to your pup’s collar and snaps onto their regular collar, so they can go on walks without increasing the risk of injury if the leash accidentally gets caught on something.
Collars are often the most visible indicator of a dog owner’s personal style & preference, so they can be worn for years and evolve with you as your tastes change. Always check to make sure your pup’s collar is safe and secure before going on a walk! Never attach more than one leash handle to a collar, as it can result in neck injuries.
Always unclip the additional handle after the walk is over to reduce pressure on your pup’s neck.
When washing a fabric or nylon dog collar, treat stains with water and dish soap before putting it through the wash cycle to ensure that they are completely removed – simply spot-treating will not work as well. If you need to do a full wash of your dog’s collar, separate any metal component from the fabric parts and set the temperature on your machine appropriately before washing.
Always dry a dog’s collar by hanging it up or laying it flat – never put a wet collar in a dryer, as this will likely result in tearing or other damage.
For more information about washing your dog’s collar, contact companies that sell fabric or nylon collars or other pet supplies! The following link provides the local phone number for Tractor Supply Company.
Clean dog collar with vinegar
You can clean dog collar using vinegar by following the steps below;
· Mix vinegar and water in equal parts.
· Use a soft brush to scrub the collar with the mixture.
· Rinse thoroughly with clean running water before drying.
Some Nylon collars are machine safe, but they require gentle detergents that are free of dyes, perfumes, and optical brighteners. Free rinsing detergents are ideal for delicates, or you can choose an unscented version.
How do I wash a dog collar made of fabric?
Fabric collars are machine safe, but they require gentle detergents that are free of dyes, perfumes, and optical brighteners. Free rinsing detergents are ideal for delicates, or you can choose an unscented version.
Brands like Woolite make special pet cleaners that are non-toxic to pets but effective enough to clean dog collars made of fabric. Regular dish soap is a low-cost alternative.
Turn a fabric collar inside out before washing it to protect the delicate surface from abrasion that occurs during the washer and dryer cycles. This protects against tears or other damage that can occur when the outside of the collar rubs against another surface.
When you put fabric collars in either your machine’s delicate or hand wash cycle, the chances are good the collar will not survive.
You can try to machine-wash fabric collars but you have to take all necessary precautions.
This includes putting it in a mesh bag first and using the gentle setting on your machine. Do not overload it with other articles of clothing because this will increase abrasion.
If you want to hang it by itself, make sure the collar is completely dry before doing so or mildew will form and ruin the fabric covering.
Non-fabric collars can be machine washed on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag but they must also be dried thoroughly before use. Fabric collars should not go in a washer or dryer.
Cleaning dog collars baking soda
· Be sure to mix the baking soda with water before applying it to the collar.
· Scrub your dog’s collar gently in an up-and-down motion, which will allow you to clean both sides of the fabric at once.
· Rinse well before allowing the collar to air dry over a hanger or flat surface.
Can you wash dog collars in washing machine
If you have a fabric dog collar, avoid washing it in the machine. This is because the agitator will cause damage to your dog’s collar. If you must wash a fabric dog collar, hand wash it using dish soap.
Instead of using a top-loading machine, opt for a front loader if you can’t keep your pet’s collar out of the washer. Place it in a mesh bag to protect the delicate material from abrasive parts of the machine.
Dry fabric dog collars on hangers over a flat surface to minimize creasing, which can ruin the appearance of your dog’s collar or cause tearing. You should also use caution when drying nylon and polyester collars in the dryer, since some types of fabric aren’t safe to use in high heat.
Use a soft brush like a toothbrush to scrub your pet’s collar gently with baking soda and water after it has been washed. This will remove any smells that are lingering. Make sure you rinse it well before allowing it to air dry.
If you own a non-fabric collar, it’s safe to wash it in the washer and dryer. However, make sure it is always covered by other garments to prevent damage. The first step of cleaning should be spot cleaning any debris or dirt with a damp cloth or paper towel before throwing the collar in the machine. Follow up by laying the collar flat to dry, or hanging it over a railing.
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Hello! My name is George Romell and recently joined Our Pets HQ to oversee quality and provide oversight in content being published. I am originally from the North West but currently reside in Upstate New York and work as a freelance journalist with a focus on dogs and cats. Here at Ourpetshq, I will be responsible for editing and improving older content that may have missed editorial checks. You can reach me at george@ourpetshq.com
