Proper care for dog equipment
We love active dogs! Whether it's day-to-day walks, hiking on vacation or dog sports. One thing all these activities have in common? Dirty dogs and dirty dog equipment especially in the wet and cold season. Proper care is therefore a must so that you can enjoy your dog's equipment for a long time!
We have summarized general guidelines to help you in this guide.
Please note: Primarily, however, you should always follow the care instructions for the specific product used, if available!
Can I wash dog collars?
Yes! In general, all dog collars can be washed or cleaned. Depending on the degree of dirt and the material of your dog collar, you will need to decide exactly how to proceed.
How to clean paracord and nylon dog collars
If heavily stained, paracord collars and nylon collars can be cleaned in the washing machine at a maximum of 30°C. We recommend using a gentle detergent such as a wool detergent. If you decide to clean a collar with metal fasteners in the washing machine, you should make sure that the drum of your washing machine is not damaged. One option is to wash the collars in old pillowcases.
If your collar is only dirty in a few spots, we recommend cleaning it with warm water, a little soap and a soft brush.
In both cases, you should then gently pull your paracord or nylon dog collar into shape, dry it with a cloth, especially the fasteners, and then leave it to dry completely.
Please note: It should not be left in direct sunlight or on a radiator to avoid unnecessarily stressing the material or causing the color to fade.
Cleaning and caring for leather collars
It is usually sufficient to wipe leather collars with a soft damp cloth and then dry them carefully. For heavier soiling or for additional care, leather soaps and leather grease can be used. This keeps leather dog collars supple and beautiful for a long time.
How do you properly care for a dog chain collar?
Metal dog collars are particularly easy to care for as they do not mold, rot or stink. If stubborn mud does get stuck on your chain, it is very easy to clean.
Want to find out more about chain collars? Click here for our article "Why use a chain collar for dogs?"
How to clean your stainless steel dog chain
You can clean stainless steel chain collars with lukewarm water and a little washing-up liquid if they are particularly dirty. You should then dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth.
How to clean a Curogan chain collar
You can also simply wash Curogan dog necklaces with lukewarm water and a little washing-up liquid if they are very dirty and then dry them thoroughly with a cloth.
A natural patina can form on Curogan over time, depending on how much it is exposed to which elements. This optical surface change does not affect the quality and durability of your chain. If you do not like the changed appearance, you can restore the original condition at any time by cleaning it with a metal polish such as our Diamond Paste.
How do I properly clean a black stainless steel dog chain collar?
You can clean your black stainless steel chain in the same way as you would clean a stainless steel chain, with one difference:
Our black SPRENGER chains do not have a permanent coating, so the chains should not be cleaned with metal polish. The surface of these chains is blackened in an electroplating process and then polished. The permanent friction of the fur against the metal of the chain can create an appealing antique look, but the original condition cannot be restored. The abrasion can also cause coat discoloration in light-coloured dogs, which is why we do not recommend our black stainless steel chains for dogs with white coats.
How do I properly care for a matte dog chain collar?
Some of our chains come in a very special look: matt.
Both our matt stainless steel chains and our matt Curogan chains have the same positive properties as their non-matt counterparts - also in terms of ease of cleaning. As with black chains, we do not recommend using a metal polish to clean matt chains, as this can damage the surface.
How do I get my dog's harness clean again?
Cleaning a dog harness is very similar to cleaning a dog collar and depends on the material of the harness. In general, all harnesses (except for leather) can be washed by hand with a mild detergent or washing-up liquid and warm water. They should then be dried and allowed to air dry completely. Avoid direct sunlight or direct heat to protect the material.
Some harnesses can also be washed in the washing machine at 30°C with a mild detergent and without fabric softener.
How often should I wash my dog's harness?
The rule of thumb is: as often as necessary, as rarely as possible.
If there is localized staining, we therefore always recommend trying to clean the affected area by hand first before putting the whole harness in the laundry.
How do I wash dog leashes?
When cleaning dog leashes, you should proceed in the same way as with collars and pay attention to the material of your dog leash. For most materials and levels of dirt, warm water, a soft brush and optionally a little soap are sufficient.
Can dog leads be washed in the washing machine?
As with dog collars, it is generally possible to wash nylon leads in the washing machine. Make sure that carabiners and other metal elements do not damage other laundry or your washing machine.
How do you clean Biothane leashes and collars?
Although Biothane is a leather-like polyester fabric coated with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), it has one major advantage: it is extremely easy to care for!
Unlike leather, Biothane does not need to be greased to keep it supple and long-lasting. Instead, you can simply clean it with clear water and a sponge or soft cloth.
How to clean dog toys?
Dog toys come in all colors, shapes and materials. The cleaning options are therefore equally varied.
Cleaning with clear water is no problem for most balls, throwing toys and fetch toys made of natural rubber, rubber or sponge rubber. Some of these dog toys are even dishwasher-safe in case they are very dirty.
How to clean bite tugs?
Depending on the degree of staining, bite tugs made of leather, cotton or jute should be cleaned by hand with warm water, a little soap and a soft brush and then carefully dried without direct heat or sunlight. We recommend consulting the manufacturer before washing your bite tug in the washing machine or using a dryer.