It is important to maintain proper hygiene of your pet's walking accessories.
Do you know the correct way to clean them? It all depends on the type of material they are made of.
If your collar, harness or leash is made of leather, keep in mind that it should be hand washed due to the delicate nature of the material. There are several cleaning options you can choose from:
- With baking soda: pour hot water and a small spoonful of baking soda. Let it dissolve. A toothbrush is a good tool to scrub the collar until all the dirt is gone. Once clean, rinse it under water. Use a towel to dry it and, to finish, leave it somewhere where it won't have direct contact with sunlight, as this can cause the leather to crack.
- With mint soap: this type of soap is ideal for eliminating the odor from walking accessories, as well as keeping them clean. Also use a toothbrush to scrub the collar, harness or leash, then rinse it with water. Once clean, remove the main moisture with a towel and then let it air dry.
If your collar, harness or leash is made of nylon or polyester:
- Washing machine: use a hot water cycle. It is advisable to put the accessories in a laundry bag to minimize the noise of the hard parts hitting the machine, and to prevent damage to the washing machine itself.
- Vinegar and baking soda: mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda in a bowl or basin. Ideally, submerge them for about 15 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly to remove any residue.
- Water and soap: use a basin with hot water and soap, and submerge your pet's collar, harness, and leash. The soap can be neutral, or if the items have a bad smell, use mint-scented soap. If they have any stains, use a toothbrush to remove them. It is important to rinse well so that no soap residue remains.
It is also useful to know how to remove rust from buckles if needed.
If there is not a high degree of oxidation, there are ways to remove it without the need for chemicals, such as using lemon juice, salt, baking soda, and water.
With this method, the ideal is to place the buckle in a container covered with salt and then squeeze half a lemon. The goal is to moisten the metallic surface. Then, add three tablespoons of baking soda to 20 ml of water. Remove the salt and lemon mixture from the buckle by cleaning it thoroughly with a cloth. Once dry, rub the buckle with a toothbrush using the baking soda and water mixture until the rust is completely removed.
However, if the buckles have a higher level of rust, it is advisable to use specific products that will make the fasteners look like new.
There is a variety of collars, harnesses and leashes made of different materials, so it is important to know the correct way to care for each one.
If your walking accessories start to fray or are in danger of breaking, remember to replace them with new ones. They must be a safety element for both you and your dog.