What do you use to clean your toys?

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Timbow loves plush dog toys! He will tear through a rubber toy within minutes, but is very gentle with his plush toys! (weird I know..) The problem is, Timbow is a drooling machine! The toys get smelly and nasty fast. I washed one in the washing machine and it worked well. I was wondering if laundry detergent was safe for something that they are going to chew on. Should I use the dye-free detergent? I need a way to keep his toys clean, especially since they're still alive and lasting well!! :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just put them in the washing machine with my regular detergent. I don't think there's much detergent residue left after the rinse cycle, but maybe I'm naive. You can tie them in a pillowcase, that helps prevent disasters if the toy comes apart in the wash...I had that happen years ago & my machine was filled with the stuffing...not a fun experience!
I wash Jack's tennis balls with towels...the towels get instant fluffing in the dryer!

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

That's a great idea! Do you wash his Kong in the dishwasher? (I always wash it by hand, but it would be much easier to throw it in the dishwasher) That's the only rubber toy Timbow won't destroy!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack doesn't have a Kong. I"m sure you could wash it in the dishwasher, though.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I wash anything that can go in the dishwasher. Sanitizes so much better than machine washing as DW has hotter water. Stuffed animals in washing machine have not had any negative effects. Heck, he eats towels and t-shirts that were washed.
Otherwise I had wash in a bleach bath and rinse rinse rinse and dry in the sun.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think clean is good enough. Remember you're sanitizing for animals that literally eat dirt and...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I plop plush toys into the washing machine. I don't use the dryer on them, but let them get good and dry sitting on the dryer while in use, before giving them back to the dogs. My guys favorite toy is a large plush hairy ball. We have more than one and I rotate them so that they have the chance to get thoroughly dry. They can mildew - whew do they stink then.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I put them in the dryer, Nancy, inside a pillowcase. They come out fine.

[Laura & Chewie]

What about the ones that squeak?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, all Jack's "indoor" balls are soft stuffed toys that squeak, balls, hedgehogs, etc., and they come out of the dryer perfectly fine and still squeaking.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I'll try the dryer. The fuzzy balls are soooo synthetic I thought they might get stiff or melt! Thanks.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I wish "clean is good enough", worked at my house, but it's probably an inherited phobia I am cursed with. I'm not worried about the dogs so much as I am about the people that handle the toys. Or where they end up, bed, couch, carpets.....

[Melissa & Porter]

I have a lung condition and cannot tolerate scented detergents. I started with the mainstream detergents "free and clear" versions, but now I use a very eco-friendly brand called BIOKLEEN. It actually cleans the clothes, and I love that it is a powder in a cardboard box--no plastic waste. It is about 14.99 for a box that lasts me several months. I run about one load of laundry a day (three kids + dog).