Unfortunately, the rainy weather is set to continue this week which only means one thing: muddy dog walks are back.
It’s important to remember that not only your dog can get mucky, but so can their walking gear. To help prepare, the outdoor dog specialists at Ruffwear have provided their expert tips on cleaning your dog’s dirty gear to help keep things fresh and preserved for all of the walks ahead.
Clean your dog’s harness and lead with mild soap and warm water once a month
If your dog enjoys exploring and rolling on the ground, you’ll know how often the harness and lead are covered in mud. So, wash the harness and lead once a month. If you’ve had a very muddy walk, wash them sooner – straight after your walk, ideally – to avoid further bacteria build-up and stop them from becoming hard and crunchy.
To wash, first, make sure you shake off any dirt or debris. You can hand wash your dog’s harness, lead, and collar, with a mixture of warm water and mild soap to avoid any harsh chemicals irritating your dog’s skin. Then make sure you rinse thoroughly and leave to air dry.
If there are any particularly tough stains on your dog’s harness, try a soft brush (a toothbrush works great) and soapy water.
Wash your dog’s outdoor clothing on a gentle wash
To keep your dog’s clothing as fresh as possible, wash their outdoor apparel – such as coats and jackets once or twice a month.
Before washing, you should always make sure any fasteners are secure. Then, you can place it in the wash on a very gentle, cold water cycle with a mild detergent and hang the clothing up to dry. A gentle wash cycle will avoid the gear from shrinking or becoming misshapen.
Your dog’s boots can be cleaned every few weeks
Dogs sweat through their paws when out on their trails, so it’s important not to leave their boots on for very long periods at a time. You should also keep on top of cleaning them to make sure bacteria and germs are kept at bay.
Before washing, rinse off any loose dirt or debris and secure any straps. Ensure you wash them on a cold, gentle cycle and only use a mild detergent. The same can be done for your dog’s boot liners. You can then leave both the boots and the boot liners to air dry.
Use these household products to remove smells from your dog’s gear
If you have washed your dog’s harness or clothing and they still smell, use a mix of 1-quart Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 tsp of dish soap. Soak whatever it is you need to clean in the mix for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. You can then air dry the garments.
Always wash your dog bowls after each use
After every use, your dog’s bowls should be hand cleaned in a mixture of warm water with mild soap. You should make sure to rinse the soap thoroughly and leave them to air dry.
When it comes to water bladders, however, use chopsticks to hold up the water bladder to allow any water to escape after you have cleaned it. You should then inflate the bladder and hang them upside down to fully dry before putting them in storage.
As an additional tip, store the water bladders in the freezer with the caps off to make sure mould doesn’t grow.
Watch out for any black spots growing in your dog’s water bladder
Water bladders are a great way to bring fresh water for your pet when out on the move, and after a walk, they should be completely emptied and dried with no water left sitting in them. To prevent future mould buildup, wash the water bladder using warm water and soap after each walk and let it air dry thoroughly before putting them away.
If your sidekick has their own pack, don’t forget to wash it
If you go on adventures and long trails with your dog, they may have their own pack that can be attached to their harness which can become dirty after many walks.
To clean, remove all contents from the bag and shake off any excess dirt. You can then hand wash the pack in warm water and mild soap and thoroughly air dry. You can also use a soft toothbrush to get rid of any tough stains.
