Now that you have acquired the perfect collar for your dog, the other crucial part of having it is keeping it clean. Even if your dog has the freshest coat around, the collar will eventually absorb the natural skin oils, dirt and grime, which would lead to the development of an annoying odor.
The problem is more pronounced with canines that spend a lot of time outside playing in the mud and pools of water, whereby the collar becomes dirtier and smellier.
If you want your dog’s collar to be clean and with a fresh smell, you will have to clean it regularly. Luckily for you, we shall provide you with simple guidelines on cleaning your canine’s collar effectively in this article.
Walk with us to find out.
Why would my Dog’s Collar Smell Bad?
Some of the factors contributing to the unit developing a foul smell include dirt, mold, bacteria, debris, and parasites. Whenever your pet is exposed to the above items, they seep into the fiber’s collar and then interact with the fur, body oils and dry skin.
The result is a smelly affair, and it can affect all types of collar material, including leather, nylon, polyester, and metal. With that, the only solution is cleaning the collar properly, and we shall show you how to do it.
How to Wash a Dog Collar
The mode that you use to cleaning your dog collar should depend on the material that it is made of. Let’s look at four different methods that you could use to clean the collar on your canine.
I) Use of Baking Soda
This is a method that is safe for use on all types of convectional dog collars. Start by mixing a spoonful of baking soda with warm water and wait for it to dissolve fully.
Then, dip a toothbrush into the mixture and use it to brush the collar gently. After that, hold the unit under running water to rinse it and remove the cleaning solution in its entirety.
NB: For leather, avoid direct sunlight or an extremely hot source of heat as it can easily crack.
Now, you could either hang the collar out of direct sunlight or place it on a towel for it to dry. The necklace will now return to its initial clean and attractive nature.
II) Peppermint Soap
Next up is a technique that is highly effective in eliminating foul odors from leather necklaces. Start the process by removing the necklace from the dog’s neck and then cover it with soap.
After that, use a toothbrush to remove the grime that is easy to spot and then brush the rest of the collar to help get rid of any foul odor.
The next step involves rinsing with hot water and as soon as the rinsing is done, smell the unit to check if the smell is still there. If it is, repeat the entire process until you are sure the odor is gone.
Lastly, allow it to dry either under the sun or on a towel.
III) Cleaning Synthetic Collars
Before you embark on using this mode, you should know that it works best on nylon or polyester collars. If you use it on products made out of natural materials such as leather, cotton or wool, the cleaning agents may end up damaging them.
There are two ways of going about this method. After taking the collar off the dog, you could either make a white vinegar solution and baking soda (in equal proportions) and then soak the necklace for about 15-30 minutes.
Alternatively, you could make use of hydrogen peroxide and immerse the collar in it for about an hour.
After soaking the collar, you should now rinse it to eliminate the cleaning solution. If you used hydrogen peroxide, use soapy water to clean off the agent.
Now dry the necklace on a towel or in the open air to get it back to use.
IV) The Dishwasher
Finally, we shall present you with a method that you can use on almost all types of necklaces and leashes apart from leather ones.
To start the cleaning, place the unit on the dishwasher’s top rack and attach it to the basket so that it does not slip away during the cleaning process.
Set it to a normal wash cycle and once the process is done, check that it has dried well. If not, proceed to hang it out so that it dries up properly.
Closing Remark
It does not matter how clean your dog is because if the collar is not clean, the canine will still give out a very uncomfortable smell. So, as you clean your furry friend, you should not forget to do the same to the collar so that you can remove all the dirt and body oils that he has accumulated.
Another important thing to note is that if you leave your dog with a wet collar, you would be exposing him to bacteria and fungal infections. So, always ensure that the unit is fully dry before putting it back on your pet. In the end, a regularly cleaned dog collar will smell better and look more attractive in the long run.
