Your dog’s collar may not look dirty, but it smells bad – it’s time to clean it! How do you wash a smelly dog collar to make it nice and fresh?

Dog collars can become stinky over time as they accumulate dead skin, oils, bacteria, and more simply from everyday wear, plus dirt, muddy water, skunk spray, or whatever else your dog has been rolling around in. To get rid of the smell, you have to wash away all the odor-causing substances that have taken up residence on your dog’s collar.

How to clean a smelly dog collar by hand

Follow these steps to wash smelly dog collars made of polyester, nylon, and other synthetic materials.

1.) Remove all the tags from your dog’s collar before cleaning.

2.) Fill a bowl with warm water and a little cleaner. You can add a couple teaspoons of baking soda, some mild hand soap, or a little dog shampoo. Let the collar soak for 10 minutes or so.

3.) After soaking, you can clean the collar more deeply by scrubbing it with a toothbrush or washcloth. This step is optional, but it’s a good idea if the collar is stained or is very smelly.

4.) Rinse thoroughly with clean water to wash away all the residual soap and smell-making particles.

5.) Lay flat on a towel to dry or hang to air dry.

How to clean a smelly leather dog collar by hand

If your dog’s collar is leather, you’ll need to take a little more care when cleaning it.

Get a microfiber cloth and a bowl of warm water. Depending on how smelly the collar is, you may want to add some mild hand soap. Dip the collar in – don’t soak, as that’s bad for the leather – and rub it with the microfiber cloth. An alternative to plain soap and water is specially formulated leather cleaner, which may be better for a stained and smelly collar; follow the instructions on the bottle.

Follow this up by conditioning the leather with a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and protected, then allow to fully air dry.

Can I wash a dog collar in the washing machine?

Dog collars made of nylon or polyester can generally be washed in the washing machine. Do not wash leather dog collars in the washing machine.

Place the dog collar in a mesh laundry bag to protect it and the other items you’re washing. If possible, use a fragrance-free detergent, which is less likely to irritate your dog’s skin.

Don’t dry the dog collar in the dryer – as above, lay flat on a towel or hang to air dry instead.

Odor-Resistant Collars

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