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!! :-)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I put all of Gracie's plush toys in the washer and dryer. Most of the time the squeekers are just fine. Gracie's best friend Genie always kills the squeekers within 5 minutes after getting her teeth on a toy. Therefore, we already have a lot of dead squeekers. But the ones that were not killed still work after being in the dryer. Her tennis balls I put in a pillowcase and wash/dry them as well. Gracie loves her tennis balls and sits and looks in the washer window as they wash. As a treat, after they are dry I put the pillowcase on the floor and make a nest with all the balls in the middle. Gracie loves her "babies" and will lay there with her front legs straight out hugging the balls. She will spend an hour "nooshing" and chewing on each ball. I usually do this after I have groomed her as a treat for standing still for hours and being so good. Also, great for a rainy day. Keeps her busy!

The rubber toys put in a bucket of water and bleach solution and soak them. Then I squeeze out all the water if the balls have holes and put them in the sun to dry.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The good news is my dogs don't drool. The bad news is that unless they've been in the mud most toys don't get more than a quick rinse if need be. Plush toys, with the exception of one so far, and I don't know why it's made it- usually don't survive long enough for washing. I did just buy 2 Skineez that I'm saving for a special occasion. Tennis balls are denuded and then chomped into pieces. Only things like Kongs or really durable rubber toys have a remote chance of living long enough to get dirty.

[Mommy2Max]

Plush toys go into the washing machine with hot water, a little detergent and a touch of bleach. Everything else goes into the dishwasher to sanitize.