You wouldn’t wear the same shirt for months on end without washing it, would you? Yet many dog owners leave their dog’s collar on for long periods of time without taking it off to clean it. Fortunately, cleaning your dog’s collar is very easy, and doing so will not only help it look like new, but get rid of any pesky odors, too.

What Makes a Dog Collar Smell

Since most dogs wear their collars 24/7, it’s no wonder that after a while they start to smell a little funky. The unpleasant odor is a combination of oil from your dog’s skin, yeast and bacteria that naturally gather on your dog’s fur, and whatever your dog’s been rolling in outside, like dirt or mud.

How to wash a dog collar

The best way to clean a dog collar depends on what it’s made of.

Synthetic collars made of polyester or nylon can easily be washed by hand in soapy water. Put some mild detergent or dog shampoo into warm water and let the collar soak for around 10 minutes – more if it’s very dirty and/or smelly. If you prefer natural cleaners, use a little baking soda and vinegar in water instead. Next, scrub the collar with an old toothbrush or just rub the collar against itself to dislodge dirt and remove stains. When it looks clean, rinse well under running water.

Leather collars should be cleaned like any other leather accessory you have, meaning you should avoid getting it too wet. Too much water can permanently stain your dog’s leather collar. Use a damp – not wet – cloth and wipe it thoroughly to remove debris and odor-causing compounds. If you want to use something stronger than water, choose a leather cleaning solution and follow the package directions.

Faux leather collars can be cleaned by wiping them with a damp cloth that’s been dipped in soapy water made with a mild detergent or dog shampoo. Afterwards, use a separate clean, damp cloth to wipe away any cleanser residue.

Dog Collar Tips

- Now you know how to clean a dog collar by hand, but you can also try washing your synthetic collar in the dishwasher (on the top rack) or in the washing machine on cold (placing the collar in a small garment bag first). This works best for plain collars that don’t have extra bling on them. Be sure to remove ID tags first!

- Whatever the material, after you wash the dog collar be sure to let it air dry thoroughly, since putting a wet collar on your dog can lead to mold and mildew growth.

- If your dog’s leash also needs a refresh, follow the same steps above according to the material.

Using a Back-up Collar

Since cleaning and drying your dog’s collar can take a while, put a back-up collar on your dog so they aren’t without ID in case something happens. At Hot Dog Collars, we have hundreds of dog collars in different materials, colors, and designs, many of which can be personalized with your pet’s info! Check out our wide selection here.