Essential tips for washing your pet's laundry safely

IT IS not an exaggeration to say that we are obsessed with our pets.

- JOLIE KERR

The American Pet Products Association projects that total U.S. pet industry expenditures will be $157 billion in 2025, up from $104 billion in 2020. And all that stuff we buy for Archie or Ladybug needs to be cleaned and maintained.

The good news is that most of your pet's belongings are machine washable, making caring for them as easy as doing a load of laundry. Doing your pet's laundry helps keep them healthy, most importantly, but it can also extend the life of their toys, outfits, beds and other belongings, saving you money and reducing waste. Crucially, regular washing will also keep those pettish odors at bay so that your house doesn’t smell like a kennel.

While machine washing your pet's things is fairly straightforward, there are some differences in the way we do human laundry and the way we do animal laundry. Here's how to do your pet’s laundry the right way.

How often to wash your pet’s belongings

There is no hard and fast rule about how often to wash Gordo’s or Bambi's things - but you probably aren't laundering them as often as is recommended.

“Wash pet beds, blankets and clothing at least once every one to two weeks, depending on how often your pet uses them and their activity level,” says Lisa Lippman, the director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet. She recommends washing collars, leashes and toys “monthly, or as needed, especially if they start to smell or show signs of dirt build-up.”