If you are a pet owner, you would know that bedding and toys are an essential part of the habitat for their comfort and well-being. Research has shown that animals appreciate a clean environment and can grow better.
Slobbery toys and filthy beds can be breeding grounds for microorganisms. The dirt, pollen, and fur can trap many germs. These may even harm you as humans are not safe from these pathogens. Some microbial can be infectious for up to 12 months.
To ensure the health of your pet, you must maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of their accessories. Some things can simply be tossed into the washing machine or dipped into a bucket of water.
However, regular laundry detergent may not be suitable for your pet’s things.
You can get your hands on the natural chemical hydrogen peroxide. This has been a renowned disinfectant for generations and can easily be used to clean your pet’s bedding and toys.
In this article, you will find out how to use hydrogen peroxide in the best ways for this purpose. Let’s get into it!
Why You Should Cleaning Pet Bedding and Toys?
You need to maintain a regular cleaning routine for your pet’s bedding and toys. In addition to keeping yourself and your pet happy, it will also minimize the pathogen and allergens amount in the surroundings.
The pet bedding and toys should be cleaned every week or once every two weeks at the most. Between washes, you can vacuum it or wipe it down often.
Keeps them Germ-Free
Regularly cleaning your pet’s bedding will keep the nasties at bay. Pets do not bathe as often as humans. Therefore, maintaining a hygienic environment will keep it germ-free as well as prevent any bad odors.
Pets are constantly chewing, licking, and playing with their toys. This means that the toys are exposed to all kinds of surfaces and microbial possible. If you do not clean them often, your pets will lick the germs and may get sick.
Make it a part of your pet care routine to wash their toys properly to ensure that your pet has healthy bodily systems.
Prevents Permanent Stains
Pets love getting themselves in messy situations. This can be trashing around in muddy water, rolling themselves on the soil, or even having their food particles stuck to parts of their bodies.
When they laze around on their bedding, it can leave stubborn or even permanent stains.
The good news is that you can easily wash it off if you do not let the stain sit for too long. A stain-free pet toy is also aesthetically pleasing to look at, so you want to keep it clean.
Increases Their Lifespan
It goes without saying that anything lasts longer when you take good care of it. The same rule applies when it comes to your pet’s accessories. In addition to improving your pet’s sleep quality and health, it will also increase the lifespan of their bedding.
According to the National Sanitation Foundation, pet toys make it to the top 10 yuckiest items in your home. This means they are likely to run out faster through wear and tear. Therefore, to increase their longevity, it is absolutely crucial that you give them a good cleanse at least twice a month.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning Pet Bedding and Toys
Instead of the various cleaning agents available in the market, you can opt for natural chemicals to aid you in your cleaning routine.
This includes things such as baking soda, detergent, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Unless your pet accessory comes with specific cleaning instructions, it is safe to say that hydrogen peroxide is your best choice.
#1 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Disinfect Pet Bedding
Pets love having a clean, comfy place to rest. However, pets are also messy and can leave trails of poop, urine, food, and hair.
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent natural disinfectant as it can remove stubborn stains, mud, dirt, blood, pollen, and excreted waste odors or stains.
Unfortunately, pet bedding is in the form of lumpy-shaped textured materials. This means that most designs are not compatible with being washed in a washing machine.
Here, you can dilute a low-strength solution of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your pet’s bedding effectively. The process will only take a few minutes.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Safety gear
How to Use
Before starting the cleaning process, make sure that your pet is in a safe place away from the chemicals as it can harm them if they ingest it directly.
Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray all the layers of bedding generously.
You can leave the solution for about 10-15 minutes to let the chemical do its job properly. Wipe it down with a clean rag. Afterward, you can put it out in direct sunlight. This will allow the natural light to break down any remnants of hydrogen peroxide into non-toxic byproducts.
#2 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Permanent Pet Bedding Stains
When your furry friends love to snooze in the beds, they are bound to leave stains which, unfortunately, may also be permanent. You can overcome this problem by opting to use hydrogen peroxide to clean permanent pet bedding stains.
It is an essential chemical you must have to make your pet’s hideaway completely blemish-free and keep it in top condition. This might take from a few minutes to overnight, depending on the size, age, and origin of the stains.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- An old toothbrush
- Safety gear
How to Use
You need to dilute hydrogen peroxide solution by mixing equal quantities of the chemical and water. Generously dab your pet bedding, targeting the affected stained areas. You can leave it on for as long as necessary.
If required, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub away dried-on or tough stains. Smaller areas will be done in a matter of minutes. However, if you are dealing with larger, stubborn marks, be prepared to invest some time while you are scouring away.
After you are done, simply wipe away or rinse the residue with clean water. For extra safety, leave it to bask in the sunlight.
#3 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Disinfect Pet Toys
Many pet owners swear by the idea of using a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect their pet’s toys. This method has proved to be far more effective than the old traditional laundry detergent.
The theory behind it is that baking soda can aid in lifting out the unpleasant odors lingering in pet toys. Meanwhile, hydrogen peroxide will play the main role in disinfecting the toy.
Just ensure that the toy is thoroughly rinsed with water and does not have any chemical residue when you hand it back to your pets.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- A large tub
- Safety gear
How to Use
In a large tub, mix equal quantities of hydrogen peroxide and water. Whenever working with hydrogen peroxide, make sure to use rubber gloves, safety goggles, and masks. Place the toys in the tub, trying to ensure that they are fully submerged in the solution.
Leave them to sit for about 5-10 minutes. The solution might fizz, bubble, or froth up as hydrogen peroxide does its job. When it is at a calm spot, take out the toys. Wash them off with clean water properly and let them air dry.
#4 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Permanent Pet Toy Stains
Did you know you can efficiently clean permanent stains off your pets’ toys without needing to use harmful chlorine, alcohol, acids, or other commercial chemicals?
Hydrogen peroxide can do a brilliant job of eliminating unpleasant odors and sanitizing pet toys and other accessories.
Not only that, the powerful yet safe hydrogen peroxide solution can even effectively break down the pet stains right at the molecular level. This means that your pet can enjoy a toy which will be as good as new again, making it aesthetically pleasing.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Large tub
- Scourer
How to Use
If the pet toys are battery operated, you must remove all the batteries first. In the large tub, splash in an equal ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water. Gently place the toys in the water, taking care to submerge them completely in the solution.
Hydrogen peroxide will effectively break down almost all protein and plant-based stains. However, if you are dealing with extra stubborn permanent stains, just grab your scourer and scrub away.
After the cleaning process, rinse the toys under clean running water properly. Let the toys dry before returning them to your pets.
How Often Should You Clean Pet Bedding?
Ideally, you should only go about a week in between washes. That said, if your pet co-sleeps with you, you must wash the bedding more frequently. Additionally, you may encounter small stains, which you can spot clean between the cleaning routines.
Whenever you are cleaning your pet’s resting zone, you have to ensure that you are using items that are completely safe.
At the most, you can leave it for two weeks until it is an absolute necessity to clean your pet’s bed. This is an essential care step in order to maintain your pet’s optimal health and safety.
How Often Should You Clean Pet Toys?
According to global health industries, it is a must to clean pet toys at least once every month. Nonetheless, the perfect scenario would be to have a weekly cleaning session for your pet accessories.
Most soft toys can be easily washed in the washing machine. Others can be done using the traditional method of submerging them in a tub. When you clean your pet’s toys properly, it will remove anything and everything from bacteria to mold to fungi and other microbes.
Regular cleaning of your pet’s toys is also necessary as it removes pathogens from outdoors when your pet goes out to walk or play.
Alternate Methods to Clean Pet Beddings and Toys
There are many natural methods to clean your pet’s bedding and toys. These will be more economical compared to fancy cleaners. Some items may even be already present in your kitchen pantry. These are safe to use on your pet accessories.
#1 Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
The magical duo of baking soda and vinegar is a fantastic traditional cleaner for almost anything to everything.
The chemistry behinds work as such that when vinegar and baking soda are combined, the acids overcome the baking soda to break it down. This releases carbon dioxide in abundance, which is the gem that can aid in lifting dirt off the affected areas.
Vinegar is a powerful agent when it comes to tackling mold, and baking soda work great on other stains.
Furthermore, vinegar is also a brilliant disinfectant, while baking soda is a phenomenal deodorizer, which makes both ingredients a perfect cleanser. You can easily use the combination to clean your pet’s bedding and toys.
What You Need
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Brush
How to Use
Start off by mixing together vinegar and baking soda well. Although there is no specific ratio or portions, you should aim to whip up a consistency similar to a paste. Use the brush to dab and scrub the affected areas.
If required, you can let it sit for a few minutes. Ensure that your target spots are fully covered. Wipe away or rinse off the paste with clean water.
Another way you could use is by putting a spoonful of vinegar and baking soda into a spray bottle filled with water. You can spritz the toys or bedding with the solution, letting it bake for 10 minutes. Afterward, simply wash or wipe it off.
#2 Using Commercial Cleaners
If you do not want to DIY your own cleaner, you can simply opt for commercial cleaners off the rack in your nearest supermarket.
These are specifically designed and crafted carefully to come up with the perfect formula to clean your pet’s bedding and toys in a safe manner.
The key is not to mix and match. Stick to one particular cleaning agent at a time.
Otherwise, the cocktail of chemicals may do more harm than good. Moreover, ensure your and your pet’s safety by putting on your safety gear and moving your pet to somewhere safe during the cleaning process.
What You Need
- Cleaning agent
- Wipe
How to Use
Put on your safety goggles, rubber gloves, and masks. Carefully read all the instructions on the cleaner bottle. Ensure that you understand and can use them only as directed.
You can clean and scrub with some soapy water to wash away any dirt present. Then apply the commercial cleaner as per direction. You can leave it on for about 5-15 minutes. Wipe away the remnants.
Why is Hydrogen Peroxide the Best Option?
Amongst all the possible methods, hydrogen peroxide is your best bet. It has numerous advantages, such as its amazing antimicrobial properties, its ease of use, and its non-toxic nature. Moreover, it is easily available in any of your nearest pharmacies at a very economical price.
Incredible Antimicrobial Disinfecting Properties
Hydrogen peroxide is available as a disinfectant in both liquid and gas forms as a preservative, sterilizer, and disinfector. It has very effective antimicrobial properties which work against a wide range of pathogens.
It can easily triumph over other micro biocides with a relatively higher safety index and more flexible use. It has been used as a household sanitizer as early as the 1920s. The primary mechanism of action hydrogen peroxide works is by killing bacterial cells when it penetrates and destroys their cell walls.
Non-Toxic and Easy to Use
Hydrogen peroxide is a multipurpose household cleaner and bleaching agent with numerous uses. It is a staple ingredient in the beauty and dental industries.
Another advantage of hydrogen peroxide is that it is non-toxic. When it is exposed to light or heat, it breaks down into useful compounds, which are oxygen and water. This makes it to be every gardener’s best friend. The extra oxygen compound can provide a nutritious boost to plants at the root for better growth.
This is why you can easily use it to clean your pet’s bedding and toys without worrying about any harmful adverse effects.
What Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration is Best for the Job?
On the market, you will come across many concentration variants. The lowest strength there is 1% hydrogen peroxide. We recommend you to use 3% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration is on the lower side, and yet strong enough to fulfill its purpose effectively.
Further up, there is the 6-10%, which will be needed to dilute a lot in case you want to use it. 35% hydrogen peroxide is not advisable for home use even though it is termed as food grade. The strongest concentration, 90% hydrogen peroxide is reserved for industrial use, and it is not safe at all otherwise.
Safety Precautions to Follow
When handling hydrogen peroxide, you should always ensure to follow safety measures. Always remember to put on your safety goggles, rubber gloves, and masks to prevent any of the chemicals getting on your skin or eyes. Otherwise, it may cause irritation or even burns.
While using and storing hydrogen peroxide, keep it away from children and pets. This is particularly necessary for dogs. If a dog happens to lick and ingest hydrogen peroxide, the chemical can induce vomiting.
In the medical world, hydrogen peroxide has been approved to be an effective emetic for dogs and other canines. Yet, it can be lethal if administered in an improper way. In case of unwanted prolonged vomiting, there is a risk for severe gastritis, ulcers, or even internal bleeding.
When storing hydrogen peroxide, ensure that it is placed in an air-tight, dark plastic bottle, away from light, heat, and any source of ignition. During the process of using hydrogen peroxide, try to keep the dose and duration as short as possible to avoid prolonged exposure.
The Bottom Line
As a pet owner, it is of utmost necessity that you keep your pet’s bedding, toys, and other accessories in tip-top condition by maintaining a regular cleaning routine. Your pet is likely to appreciate a hygienic environment as they will grow and thrive better.
To aid you in the cleaning process, you can make use of the natural cleaner, hydrogen peroxide to overcome any bad odors, or stubborn stains, or even to overall sanitize. When using it, keep your pet in a safe zone to avoid accidents such as spillage or ingestion of the product.
Furthermore, you can use the hydrogen peroxide in a number of ways around your house and backyard.
So, order your set today!
