The things your dog uses every day can harbor mold and bacteria. Here’s how to clean your dog’s collar.
Shellie Sutera
Items Needed
- Bowl or bucket
- Rubber gloves
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush or similar brush
- Lavender oil
- Towel
Step 1: Fill the bowl or bucket with warm water and add 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Stir until the baking soda has been melted by the water.
Step 2: Place the dog collar in the water and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub the collar with a toothbrush or similar type of brush until clean. Make sure you get in all of the crevices of the collar. Repeat step 1, 2 and 3 until the collar is clean and odor has lessened considerably.
Step 4: Clean and rinse the bowl or bucket thoroughly and refill the bucket with fresh water, adding 2 drops of lavender oil. You can also use peppermint oil or any other essential oil that you may prefer.
Step 5: Soak the collar in the aromatic mixture until the bad odor has disappeared. Make sure the automatics is not something that is bad for dogs.
Step 6: Rinse the collar off by running it under the faucet.
Step 7: Pat the collar dry and place it on a flat surface to dry.
Step 8: Place the fresh smelling collar on your dog.
Dog collars absorb oils from the skin as well as attracts dirt and grime. Depending on your dog’s activity level outdoors, you may need to clean his collar on a regular basis to keep it clean. Dog’s that enjoy the outdoors, go swimming, roll around in the mud and participate in high level activities will require frequent cleaning. Keep in mind indoor dogs will also need a good cleaning once you detect the first scent of odor.
The above cleaning method is suitable for fabric, nylon and leather collars. You can also add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the baking soda and water mixture if you find that the collar has deep stains. At times, a leather collar may require additional cleaning. If you observe staining or discoloration in a leather collar you will want to use saddle soap to remove deep, set-in stains.
Before You Get Started
Always use rubber gloves to protect your hands and arms while cleaning the collar. Avoid submerging your hands in the baking soda and water mixture. It can cause dryness and irritation to those who are sensitive to baking soda. As an alternative you can replace the baking soda with apple cider vinegar.
Keeping your dog’s collar clean on a regular basis will prevent odor and keep the collar in good condition, which keeps your dog smelling sweet and saves you money. It will also keep the skin that is nearest to the collar healthy, since dirt buildup can develop into bacteria have a negative impact on the skin. Repeat the steps as much as needed during each cleaning session to reveal a clean, fresh scented dog collar.
From Pet Guide
