How to Sanitize Pet Toys Properly (2026): Safe Steps

📅 Last updated: October 19, 2026

Pet toys collect more than visible dirt. Saliva, food residue, skin oils, and outdoor grime can settle into seams, rope fibers, squeakers, and textured surfaces. If you clean a toy incorrectly, you may leave behind disinfectant that your pet can ingest, damage the material, or push bacteria deeper into fabric and stuffing. The safest approach to how to sanitize pet toys properly (and safely) is to clean first, disinfect only when appropriate, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely.

Before you begin, check the toy’s care label and inspect it for damage. A toy with loose threads, exposed stuffing, a cracked squeaker, or a leaking battery compartment may be safer to replace than wash. Keep pets away from wet toys and cleaning products until every surface is dry.

Updated October 2026 — Here is how to sanitize pet toys properly: wash every toy with unscented soap and warm water first, disinfect only when the toy was exposed to illness or heavy contamination, rinse until no residue remains, then dry the toy completely before your pet gets it back. The right method depends on what the toy is made of, so use the material guide below.

Three rules cover most homes. Soap and water handles routine dirt on rubber, nylon, and washable plush. A label-approved, pet-contact disinfectant is the extra step after vomiting, diarrhea, a contagious illness, or outdoor contamination. Anything with exposed stuffing, a loose squeaker, mold, or a sour smell that survives washing should be replaced instead of cleaned.

What You Need

Never use a cleaner simply because it smells fresh. Avoid essential oils, ammonia, phenols, and strongly fragranced products around pets unless a veterinarian specifically recommends them. Some ingredients can irritate paws, skin, lungs, or the digestive tract.

Step-by-Step

See also: Best Dog Multivitamins and Supplements for Everyday Care • How to Set Up Timed Pet Feeder (2026): Step-by-Step

1. Sort the toys and read the care instructions (5 minutes)

Separate toys into rubber or plastic, washable fabric, rope, electronic, and food-dispensing categories. Look for washing temperature limits, dishwasher guidance, and warnings about bleach or solvents. Remove batteries, sound modules, removable inserts, and treats before cleaning.

Discard or isolate anything with deep cracks, sharp edges, mold, a persistent sour odor, or pieces small enough to swallow. If you cannot identify the material, use the gentlest method: a damp cloth, mild soap, and thorough drying.

2. Remove loose debris (2 to 5 minutes)

Shake fabric toys outdoors or vacuum them with a clean upholstery attachment. Pull hair from ropes and seams by hand. Scrape dried food from puzzle toys with a plastic utensil rather than a knife, which can create scratches where grime accumulates.

For toys with holes, squeeze them several times under running water to push out saliva and debris. If dirty water keeps emerging, continue rinsing before applying soap.

3. Wash with soap and warm water (5 to 10 minutes)

Fill a basin with warm water, not scalding water, and add a small amount of unscented dish soap. A practical starting point is about 1 teaspoon of soap per 1 gallon of water; use the product label if it gives different directions. Scrub hard toys with a soft brush, paying close attention to ridges, handles, seams, and treat compartments.

For rubber and plastic toys, rinse until the water runs clear and no slippery film remains. For rope toys, wash only if the care instructions permit it, then press out water instead of twisting the rope, which can loosen fibers.

4. Wash fabric toys according to their construction (10 to 15 minutes)

Machine-washable plush toys can usually go into a mesh bag on a gentle cycle with unscented detergent. Use cool or warm water according to the label. If there is a squeaker or electronic component that cannot be removed, clean the toy by hand with a lightly damp cloth instead of submerging it.

Do not saturate foam-filled toys. Wipe the exterior, clean creases with a soft toothbrush, and use a second cloth dampened with clean water to remove soap. Moisture trapped in foam may take many hours to evaporate and can support mildew.

5. Disinfect only when needed (2 to 10 minutes, plus contact time)

Routine washing is often enough for everyday dirt. Add a disinfecting step after a toy has been exposed to vomit, diarrhea, blood, a contagious illness, or heavily soiled outdoor areas. Choose a product whose label specifically permits use on the toy’s material and states a pet-safe procedure.

Follow the label’s dilution, application, and wet contact time exactly. Contact time is the period the surface must remain visibly wet for the product to work; it may be several minutes. Do not guess at a stronger mixture. More concentrated disinfectant is not automatically safer or more effective.

Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, acids, or another cleaner. If using a bleach solution or other chemical disinfectant, follow the product label, ventilate the room, wear gloves, and keep pets away. Many products require a potable-water rinse after the contact time, especially for items a pet will chew. If the label does not clearly explain rinsing and pet-contact use, choose another product or rely on soap and water.

6. Rinse thoroughly (1 to 3 minutes)

Rinse hard toys under running water until there is no slickness, odor, foam, or visible residue. Rinse fabric toys according to their care instructions, using an extra rinse cycle if detergent tends to remain in the fibers. Squeeze plush toys gently to remove water, but do not wring them aggressively.

7. Dry completely before returning the toy (several hours to 24 hours)

Pat toys dry, then place them in a well-ventilated area with space between items. Turn plush toys every few hours so the interior dries evenly. A fan can improve airflow, but do not use high heat on rubber, plastic, PU leather, or foam unless the manufacturer permits it. A toy should feel dry inside and out and have no damp or musty smell before use.

8. Inspect and store (2 minutes)

Check for loosened stitching, peeling coatings, changed texture, cracks, or chemical odor. Store clean toys in a dry basket rather than a sealed plastic bin while any residual moisture remains. Rotate toys so heavily used items receive regular cleaning and drying time.

Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting Pet Toys

People use these words interchangeably, but they describe three different jobs, and mixing them up is how toys end up either still dirty or coated in chemicals.

• Cleaning removes visible dirt, saliva film, and food residue with soap, water, and friction. This is the step that matters most, because grime shields germs from any product you apply afterward.
• Sanitizing lowers the number of germs to a safer level. A hot, soapy wash followed by a thorough rinse and full drying does this for most everyday toys.
• Disinfecting uses a product that is registered or labeled to kill specific germs on a surface, with a stated wet contact time. Reserve it for illness, vomit, feces, or toys shared with a sick animal.

For a healthy pet, routine cleaning plus sanitizing is enough. The CDC advises washing hard pet items with soap and water before using a disinfectant, and the same order applies to toys: wash first, disinfect second, rinse third.

How to Sanitize Pet Toys Properly by Material

The quick table above gives the short version. These notes explain the reasoning so you can handle toys that do not fit neatly in a category.

Hard rubber, nylon, and hard plastic chew toys

These are the easiest toys to sanitize because they are non-porous. Scrub them in warm water with a few drops of unscented dish soap and a dedicated brush, paying attention to ridges, textured grooves, and the hollow center. Many makers, including KONG, list their classic rubber toys as top-rack dishwasher safe, but check the label because heat can warp softer rubber and some dyed or coated toys. If the toy is heavily chewed, look for rough patches or pits. Those surfaces hold saliva and are hard to clean, and a toy with deep gouges or pieces that flake off should be retired.

Silicone toys, treat dispensers, and puzzle feeders

Food-dispensing toys grow bacteria and yeast faster than any other category because of leftover wet food, soft fillings, and the warm, moist interior. Take apart every removable section, soak for 10 to 15 minutes in hot soapy water, then use a narrow bottle brush to reach the interior channels. Squeeze the toy under running water until the water that exits is completely clear. Stand the toy upright to drain so water does not pool inside the hollow.

Plush and fabric toys

Put plush toys in a zippered mesh laundry bag, use a gentle cycle, and choose unscented detergent without dyes or fabric softener. Sources disagree on water temperature: hot water of about 140 degrees F is commonly cited as better at killing germs, while many toy makers print a cooler limit on the label because heat can melt plastic eyes and noses or shrink the fabric. The label wins. If it is missing, use warm water and add an extra rinse cycle. Remove toys that are leaking stuffing from the rotation instead of washing them, because the cycle can pull more filling out.

Rope and braided toys

Rope fibers trap saliva deep inside, so they need more drying time than any other toy. Wash by hand in warm soapy water, press out the water without twisting, and dry in open air. Cut away loose strands longer than a thumb length, and discard the toy if the core is exposed or the rope sheds long threads that your dog could swallow.

Cat toys: catnip, feathers, bells, and wand attachments

Most cat toys are small, light, and not meant to be soaked. Spot clean fabric catnip toys with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then air dry. Catnip potency fades with moisture and time, so a dried toy may need a refresh with new catnip. Remove wand attachments with feathers or elastic string before wiping the handle, and keep strings out of reach of the cat between play sessions. Hard plastic balls and tracks can go through the same soap-and-rinse routine as dog toys.

Battery-powered and electronic toys

Take out the batteries first and keep the charging port dry. Wipe the housing with a barely damp microfiber cloth, avoid spraying directly on seams, and let the toy sit open to air for at least an hour before reinserting batteries. If liquid got inside and the toy now makes odd sounds, retire it. Corroded battery contacts are a chemical hazard.

Tennis balls, fetch toys, and bumpers

Wash fetch toys after every outdoor session in a park, yard, or lake, because they pick up soil, parasite eggs, and algae. Hard rubber balls can be scrubbed and rinsed. Felt-covered balls hold water, so squeeze them out and dry them on a rack with airflow until the fuzz is no longer damp.

Pet Toy Sanitizing Methods Compared

Use this table to choose between the methods you already have at home. No single method is right for every toy.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Using disinfectant without first washing: Dirt and saliva can reduce how well a disinfectant reaches the surface.
• Soaking electronic toys: Remove batteries and use a barely damp cloth around sound or light components.
• Putting every toy in the dishwasher: Heat can warp plastic, damage glue, melt coatings, or destroy squeakers. Use the dishwasher only when the manufacturer expressly approves it.
• Using a washing machine on damaged plush toys: The cycle can release stuffing or expose hazardous parts.
• Skipping the rinse: A product labeled pet-safe is not necessarily safe to leave on a chew toy.
• Drying too quickly with high heat: Hair dryers and heaters can deform rubber and PU surfaces or create a fire risk.
• Relying on scent: A fragrance does not prove that a toy is clean or disinfected.

How to Sanitize Pet Toys After Illness or Contamination

When a pet has had vomiting, diarrhea, kennel cough, ringworm, or a viral illness such as parvovirus, toys can carry germs for a long time. The standard changes from “wash and rinse” to “wash, disinfect with a proper contact time, rinse, and dry”.

1. Ask your veterinarian first. The right protocol depends on the illness. Parvovirus, for example, resists many household products, and your vet may advise discarding porous toys.
2. Throw out porous toys. Rope, plush, and well-chewed rubber toys from an animal with a serious contagious illness are usually safer to replace.
3. Wash hard toys with soap first. Disinfectant works poorly on a dirty surface.
4. Apply the disinfectant your vet recommends. This is a stronger protocol than the everyday method. For parvovirus, the MSD Veterinary Manual lists household bleach diluted 1:32 in water (about 1/2 cup per gallon), and veterinary guidance generally pairs it with at least 10 minutes of wet contact on hard items that were washed clean first. For comparison, the CDC’s general method for hard pet toys is 1/4 cup (2 oz) of bleach per gallon of water with a soak of at least 10 minutes, then a thorough rinse. Follow your vet’s instructions over any general guide, wear gloves, and ventilate the room.
5. Rinse with plenty of clean water. Bleach residue on a chew toy is a swallowing risk.
6. Dry in the open. Airflow helps, but do not leave rubber in hot direct sun for hours.

Keep the sick pet’s toys separate from other pets’ toys until your veterinarian confirms it is safe to share again.

Troubleshooting: Toy Still Smells, Feels Sticky, or Looks Grimy

• Persistent sour smell: Do a second wash with warm water and a 1-to-2 white vinegar soak for 15 minutes, rinse, and dry. If the smell returns, the toy is likely harboring bacteria in micro-cracks and should be replaced.
• Sticky or tacky surface: Soap residue or a degrading rubber coating. Rinse again; if the surface stays tacky, retire the toy.
• White haze on rubber or silicone: Often mineral deposits from hard water. A short vinegar soak followed by a rinse usually clears it.
• Black specks or fuzzy spots: Mold. Discard the toy rather than attempt to treat it.
• Faded color or stiff fabric after washing: The water was too hot or the detergent too harsh. Next time use a cooler wash and less detergent.
• Squeaker stopped working: Water got into the mechanism. Let it dry fully; if it stays silent, the toy is still fine to use as long as the squeaker is not loose.

How Often

As a practical routine (a suggestion, not a rule), wash frequently chewed or food-filled toys about once a week, and clean them sooner if they become visibly dirty or slimy. For comparison, the CDC advises cleaning pet toys at least monthly, and more often when they are soiled or a pet is sick. Plush toys generally need washing every one to two weeks, depending on use. Wipe hard toys every few days in homes with multiple pets, puppies, or pets that eat wet food from puzzle toys.

Clean immediately after illness, contact with feces, or outdoor contamination. Keep separate toy baskets for pets with contagious conditions until your veterinarian says shared items are appropriate again.

Helpful Gear for Cleaning Pet Toys

You do not need special products to sanitize pet toys, but two inexpensive items make the job faster and keep damage low. Choose only products that fit your toy’s material and your pet’s needs, and read the product label before using anything on chewed items.

Poochie Suds Scrub-A-Dub Mesh Pet Laundry Wash Bag — Best for washing plush toys

Poochie Suds Scrub-A-Dub Mesh Pet Laundry Wash Bag, 15 x 19 in, Zippered Bag for Dog & Cat Toys, Collars, Leashes, Harnesses & Clothing, Protects Items and Washer

Included for 'How to Sanitize Pet Toys Properly (2026): Safe Steps' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

View on Amazon →

A zippered mesh bag keeps plush toys, collars, and leashes from tangling or snagging in the drum, and it catches stuffing or small parts before they reach the drain pump. This bag is made for pet items and measures roughly 15 by 19 inches, which holds a handful of small plush toys per load.

• Zippered mesh construction
• Roughly 15 x 19 inch size for toys, collars, and leashes
• Machine-washable

Skip it if: your toys are hard rubber or nylon, which should be hand washed or placed on the dishwasher top rack.

CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner and Pet-Safe Disinfectant — Best for a pet-contact disinfecting step

CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner and Pet-Safe Disinfectant, 23 oz (2 pack) | Hypochlorous Acid Spray Kills 99.9% of Viruses and Bacteria, No Harsh Residue, Food Contact Surface Sanitizer, No Rinse

Included for 'How to Sanitize Pet Toys Properly (2026): Safe Steps' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

View on Amazon →

This hypochlorous acid spray is marketed as a pet-safe surface cleaner and disinfectant, which makes it a convenient option when you need a disinfecting step on hard toys, bowls, and mats. The CDC suggests EPA-registered disinfectants for pet supplies, so look for an EPA registration number on the label, read the pet-contact directions, follow the stated wet time, and rinse chew toys before returning them.

• Hypochlorous acid formula
• Marketed as a pet-safe daily surface cleaner and disinfectant
• Spray format for hard surfaces

Skip it if: the toy is plush or rope, which a surface spray cannot penetrate. Soap and water, or replacement, is the better route.

Toy Rotation and Storage That Keep Pet Toys Cleaner

A smart storage routine means fewer deep cleans. Pet toys stay in better shape when they have time to dry between play sessions.

• Rotate sets. Keep two or three sets of toys. While one set is in use, the other is washed or drying. Many owners swap sets weekly.
• Use a breathable basket. Fabric or wire baskets let air circulate. Sealed bins trap damp toys.
• Separate by pet. In multi-pet homes, give each animal a labeled basket, particularly if one has a skin condition or recent illness.
• Keep food-stuffed toys out of the toy bin. Treat dispensers should be washed right after use, not put back with dry toys.
• Do a weekly inspection. Look for cracks, loose threads, worn-through spots, and chewed-off parts as you collect toys for washing.

Cleaning Products Around Pet Toys: Safety Basics

Pets chew, lick, and carry toys in their mouths, so the cleaning product becomes part of their daily exposure. A few simple standards reduce risk.

• Pick unscented dish soap or detergent. Fragrance and dyes add nothing to cleanliness.
• Avoid essential oils, ammonia, phenol cleaners, and pine-scented products on or near pet toys.
• Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners, because the mixture can release harmful gas.
• Rinse longer than you think necessary. A toy that feels slippery or smells of soap still has residue.
• If your pet has sensitive skin or allergies, run a second plain-water rinse cycle for plush items.
• Store chemicals out of reach, and keep the pet out of the room while you work.

When to Call a Pro or Replace

Contact your veterinarian if your pet develops vomiting, diarrhea, mouth irritation, coughing, or unusual drooling after chewing a recently cleaned toy. Call a poison-control service or veterinary clinic promptly if your pet may have swallowed disinfectant or a cleaning product.

Replace toys with deep punctures, exposed wires, loose squeakers, frayed rope, mold, embedded odor, or parts that can be detached by hand. Professional cleaning is rarely worthwhile for inexpensive chew toys. It may make sense for large washable beds or specialty items, but confirm that the service uses products safe for animals and provides complete drying.

Related Pet Care Guides

Toys are only one part of a clean home for your pet. These guides cover the rest of the routine:

• How often to replace dog toys once cleaning no longer helps
• Rope toys vs rubber chew toys and which are easier to keep clean
• Toy size for a strong chewer so damaged pieces are less likely to be swallowed
• KONG toys for aggressive chewers and their care notes
• How to clean a soft pet carrier
• How to wash an orthopedic pet bed
• Best dog chew toys

FAQ

Can I use regular household disinfectant on pet toys?

Only if the label specifically allows use on the toy’s material and provides directions for surfaces that pets lick or chew. Otherwise, use soap and water or a product designed for pet-contact items.

Is vinegar enough to sanitize a pet toy?

Vinegar can help remove some odors and mineral residue, but it should not be treated as a reliable disinfectant for every pathogen. Wash with soap and water first, and use a labeled disinfectant when illness or high-risk contamination is involved.

Can I boil rubber pet toys?

Not unless the manufacturer approves boiling. Heat may deform rubber, loosen adhesives, or trap water inside hollow toys. Follow the care label and inspect the toy after every heat-based cleaning method.

What is the safest way to clean a toy with a squeaker?

Use a damp cloth and mild soap on the exterior, work around the squeaker opening, and remove all soap with a clean damp cloth. Avoid submerging the toy unless the squeaker is removable and the care instructions permit full washing. Dry it completely before giving it back to your pet.

How often should I sanitize my dog’s toys?

Wash everyday toys at least every one to two weeks, and food-filled toys after each use or at least weekly. Heavily chewed toys, shared toys, and outdoor toys need more frequent washing.

How do I clean cat toys without ruining them?

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry. Soaking catnip toys washes out the herb, and feathers or glued parts can fall apart. Replace cat toys with frayed strings or missing parts.

Can I put dog toys in the washing machine?

Yes, if they are plush or fabric and the care label allows it. Use a mesh bag, a gentle cycle, and unscented detergent. Do not machine wash toys with batteries, hard internal parts, or weak stitching.

Can I put dog toys in the dishwasher?

Only if the maker says so. Many hard rubber toys, such as KONG classic styles, are listed as top-rack safe, but heat can warp softer toys and ruin squeakers. Rinse the toy again by hand afterward so no detergent film remains.

How do I get the smell out of pet toys?

Wash with soap, soak hard toys in a 1-to-2 vinegar and warm-water mix for 15 minutes, rinse, and dry fully. A baking soda paste can help on fabric, but rinse it out completely. A smell that returns means it is time to replace the toy.

Is it safe to use bleach on dog toys?

Only on hard toys, only in the dilution your vet or the product label gives, and only with a full rinse and complete drying. For general disinfecting of hard toys, the CDC lists 1/4 cup (2 oz) of bleach per gallon of water, a soak of at least 10 minutes after washing with soap, then a thorough rinse. Bleach is usually reserved for serious contamination, not routine washing.

Can dirty pet toys make my pet sick?

Yes, dirty toys can carry bacteria, yeast, mold, and parasite eggs, and may contribute to stomach upset or mouth irritation. Regular washing and prompt replacement of damaged toys lower that risk.

What does the CDC say about cleaning pet toys?

The CDC says to wash hard toys with soap and water, soak them in 1/4 cup (2 oz) of bleach per gallon of water for at least 10 minutes, rinse well and let them dry before use. Soft toys can go through the washing machine and then a dryer on the highest heat for 30 minutes. It suggests doing this monthly, or more often when toys are soiled or a pet is sick.

Can you sanitize rope toys in the dryer?

Only if the care label allows it. The CDC describes drying soft toys on the highest heat for 30 minutes as a disinfecting step, but frayed or heavily worn rope should be replaced rather than cleaned, because loose strands can be swallowed.

How do I sanitize toys after kennel cough or another contagious illness?

Ask your veterinarian first. In general, wash the toy, disinfect hard items with a label-approved product or the vet’s recommended method, rinse, and dry fully. Porous toys such as rope and plush are often safer to replace.

Sources We Checked

• CDC, Cleaning and Disinfecting Pet Supplies (page last updated February 2026): bleach ratio and soak time for hard toys, dryer guidance for soft toys, monthly cleaning, EPA-registered products.
• MSD Veterinary Manual, Canine Parvovirus Infection: bleach diluted 1:32 listed for parvovirus disinfection; quaternary ammonium products are not reliable against it.
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: call (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian if your pet may have swallowed a cleaning product or disinfectant.

How we write this guide: we summarize published guidance and product labels; we do not run lab tests. General information, not veterinary advice. We are not veterinarians, so ask your vet about any pet with an illness or sensitive skin.

Related Reviews & Guides

Pet Health & Safety

6 Best Pet Safe Detergents For Dog Toys 2026

Pet Health & Safety

Gps collar vs airtag for pets in 2026

Pet Health & Safety

Best Heated Pet Beds in 2026: Compared and Ranked

Cat Products

8 Best Cat Pheromone Diffusers for Anxiety

You May Also Like

6 Best Top Rated Vacuums For Pet Hair 2026Dog Dental Water Additive Teeth Review6 Best Automatic Vacuums For Pet Hair 2026