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Does your dog’s collar look a little worse for wear? Regardless of if it’s dirty from agility jumps or digging in the backyard (check out our guide for dog proofing a fence), it’s likely time to give it a little TLC. Whether it’s covered in dirt, has hair all over or just stinks, our step-by-step guide will walk you through how to clean a dog’s collar.
From choosing the right cleaning method to understanding the best practices for cleaning different materials, we’ve got you covered. Discover our expert tips and tricks, including homemade cleaning solutions, to remove stubborn stains and odors. We’ll also be pointing out some common mistakes and providing our own lessons learned over the years.
Why does cleaning my dog’s collar matter?
Determining the proper methods for how to clean a dog collar is important for multiple reasons. First, it affects your dog’s health and comfort. Collars can accumulate all kinds of debris over time, such as dirt, bacteria, and allergens, which can irritate your dog’s skin or even cause infections. Keeping your dog’s collar clean minimizes these risks and keeps your dog more comfortable. This is especially important if you have a dog (or breed) that has sensitive skin or allergies, like we do.
Second, a well-maintained collar is more comfortable for your pup. All that debris that can get trapped on your dog’s collar can irritate them and cause discomfort. After prolonged issues, hair loss or chafing are likely possibilities. This is especially important for more active dogs or dogs with skin sensitivities (we’re looking at you, Goomba).
Third, proper maintenance will improve the lifespan of the collar. Different materials have different sensitivities and care requirements, which can dramatically affect their strength. Finding the proper way for how to clean a dog collar will allow you to wait much longer between collar replacements. Proper maintenance isn’t just about appearance, it will help improve the health (and safety) of your dog by ensuring your dog’s collar lasts as long as possible.
How often should I clean my dog’s collar?
We have 3 different times that we wash our dogs’ collars and find that they work well for most people. To start, the most obvious one is if your dog’s collar looks dirty. If you have a messy pup who ends up with dirt or food debris on their collar, it’s probably time to wash their collar. Sometimes we try to get away with a spot clean, especially if we have already cleaned their collars recently.
Another time we recommend cleaning your dog’s collar is if you notice an unpleasant odor. Similar to wearing the same clothing for too long, your dog’s collar can trap all kinds of things around it. Typically, a foul smell means that moisture or bacteria are present on the material. These are easy to resolve if you know how to clean a dog collar and can help improve your dog’s comfort and hygiene. If you notice your dog scratching around their neck more than normal, that’s also a pretty good indicator that it’s time to wash their collar (or your pup).
The most common time we wash our dogs’ collars is when we wash our dogs. For us, it’s an easy way to remember and then get a fresh collar on top of their fresh fur! For most collars, how to clean a dog collar is the same process as cleaning your pup! Depending on how often you bathe your dog, this frequency may be the only one you need. Both of our pups have skin issues, so they end up getting more frequent baths than most.
Common types of materials for dog collars
There are a variety of different materials for dog collars and choosing the right one for your dog (and you) is important to make sure it matches your needs. Similar to choosing the best material for dog bowls, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. How to clean a dog collar varies between different materials, as well. There is no one correct answer, but there are suitable answers for everyone.
Nylon collars are popular because of their durability and the wide array of colors and designs offered. They are lightweight and resistant to fading, which is perfect if your pup spends a lot of time outside. Nylon collars are also easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice for everyday use. We’ve been using our nylon collars for years and without issues at all! Although we don’t have personal experience (yet), we’ll be ordering the Country Brook Petz nylon martingale collar soon since our current preference isn’t produced anymore.
Leather collars are renowned for their classic look and durability. A properly maintained leather collar can last for a dog’s lifetime, but leather does have specific cleaning and maintenance requirements. Leather collars are typically more expensive than other options, especially nylon, but are a great option if you’re willing to put in the work.
Fabric collars, typically cotton or a similar material, offer a comfortable option for your dog. Cloth collars come in a variety of designs, but aren’t as durable or easy to clean as leather or nylon. We rarely recommend fabric collars, especially for a large dog. If your dog’s collar is primarily a way to hold their tag, not their leash, they may be a viable option for you.
Biothane collars are less common than the first three materials, but are becoming more popular. They’re a great option for getting the leather collar experience, but without the higher maintenance. They’re extremely easy to clean (think closer to silicone) and more durable than you’d think. Biothane collars are a great option for pups who are outside a lot, especially if you’re not attaching a leash to it often. We’ve used the Educator biothane collars extensively and they are our preferred option.
Educator Biothane Dog Collar (3/4-Inch, Blue)
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$13.05
We've used Educator's collars extensively over the years and find them extremely well made. Biothane is similar to a low maintenance leather, and we're fans of how their collars are created.
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Metal collars are also an option for dogs, but have some drawbacks associated with them. As you could guess, they are strong, but generally not very comfortable. The type of metal will determine how resistant it is to normal wear and tear, but most are durable. We’re not personally a fan of them, as it seems like other options are superior, but that is our own opinion and you may have a different one. Some metals don’t handle water well, so they would not be the best option for pups who like water or are outside a lot.
How to clean a dog collar
Now that’s out of the way, let’s discuss how to clean a dog collar. To start, let’s make sure everything is prepared first. Remove any attachments, tags, or trackers from your dog’s collar. For us, this was our tag and our FitBark activity monitor. These items don’t handle washing well and can sustain damage depending on the washing method. Even if you’re just using water and shampoo, it will be much easier to clean without objects in the way.
Our favorite!
FitBark 2 Dog Activity Monitor
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$69.95
We've been using FitBark's activity monitor to help Prim not gain any weight. It's been extremely helpful since with monitoring her sleep and activity levels throughout the day. We've tried other collars and FitBark's seems to be the most consistent with data accuracy. The best part? No subscription required!
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03/21/2025 04:05 pm GMT
Next, read the instructions on your tag for cleaning. Although it may seem obvious, the tag probably states the collar’s material (and sometimes how to clean the collar). This is especially helpful for synthetic and fabric collars, as it’s difficult to identify exactly what material (or blend of them) is present.
If you can’t find the information from the manufacturer and don’t have a tag, no worries! That’s what we’re here for!
Nylon
Nylon collars are our preferred collar of choice and we’ve been using them for years, along with nylon harnesses (check out our review of the 2 Dogs Design Freedom Harness if you want to learn more). They’re both extremely easy to clean and can handle some of the “lazier” methods of cleaning.
Prim's favorite!
2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness
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View on Chewy
$36.98
This is Prim's favorite harness, by far! It's secure, offered in a ton of colors, and affordable for a dual-clip setup. We love the option of having both front and back clip points. Prim has sensitive skin and this is the most gentle harness we've found for her so far. We've had it for years and wash it frequently and haven't had any issues at all!
Pros:
- Easily adjustable to work for all sizes of dogs
- Wide opening makes it easy to put over your dog's head
- Offered in a wide variety of colors & sizes
- Multiple clip points
- Neck portion has no clips for extra safety
Cons:
- No handle to grab on top of harness
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03/21/2025 12:46 am GMT
Can you wash dog collars? Yes! Our preferred method of cleaning nylon collars is to use a low-scent laundry detergent for sensitive skin (our favorite is Arm & Hammer Free & Clear) in our washing machine. All you’ll need to do to prepare your dog’s collar is to remove any attachment and place the collar in a garment bag. We’ve been washing our collars weekly using this method, and it’s worked great for us! After it’s done, we hang the collars to dry and they’re good to go.
We highly recommend using a laundry detergent that’s for sensitive skin and has low or no scent with your pup for a few reasons. To start, dogs’ noses are much more sensitive than ours and it’s not even close! According to our favorite dog health resource, VCA Hospitals, dogs smell between 1,000 and 10,000 times better than humans. A lot of laundry smells are overpowering to us already. Imagine how your dog feels! Besides being better at smelling, most dogs are wearing their collars all or most of the time. Having even a minor irritant with that much skin contact will cause issues to even the hardiest of animals.
If you don’t want to use the washing machine, put a few drops of your dog’s shampoo in a bowl of hot water and soak the collar for approximately 15 minutes. We recommend something like Earthbath’s shampoo, which is great for sensitive skin or itchy dogs. After 15 minutes, scrub any dirty spots with your hands or a soft brush (toothbrush or similar item). Rinse your pup’s collar and hang it to dry. Don’t use any brushes that are rough on nylon collars. Despite how durable they are, rough brushes can snag on the fabric and weaken the collar.
Leather
How to clean a dog collar is different with leather collars and requires specific products. We don’t have much experience with leather collars, but our first choice would be Frisco’s leather collars. Every product we’ve purchased from Frisco (Chewy’s brand) has been of better quality than similar products.
To start cleaning, soaking leather or using solutions or cleaners typically results in damage to the leather, so don’t do that. To clean off any dirty spots on a leather collar, use a damp sponge or soft towel and lightly wipe away the debris until it is clean. Once you’ve removed any debris, wipe the leather dry with a soft cloth and allow it to dry completely.
Once your pup’s collar is clean and dry, you can use a pup-safe leather cleaner to complete any cleaning, if required. After the leather is dry again, apply a leather conditioner or cream to the surface. This will help protect the collar from damage and help extend its lifespan. We recommend following the manufacturer’s guidelines for both products, as the instructions will vary from product to product. If any hardware needs cleaned on a leather collar, we recommend following the guidelines for that specific material (typically metal) in the sections that follow.
Fabric
Fabric collars are a bit more sensitive, but the cleaning requirements are similar to nylon collars. Quality fabric collars should be close to as durable as Nylon collars, but we’ll still want to take a bit more care with them. We don’t have experience with a fabric collar, but we’ve had great luck with anything from Chewy. Our first choice would be the Frisco Fashion Dog Collar, if we were to purchase one.
We like washing our collars in the washing machine, if possible, and it’s definitely our preferred method of how to clean a dog collar. Fortunately, we can wash fabric collars in the washing machine, too! To recap what we said with nylon collars, after you remove any collar attachments (tags, accessories, trackers), we’ll want to put your dog’s collar in a garment bag. You’ll want to use a low-scent laundry detergent for sensitive skin (our favorite is Arm & Hammer Free & Clear) or other mild detergent with fabric collars. After the wash cycle is done, hang your collar up to dry, and that’s it!
Our favorite!
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear (140 Fl oz)
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$11.17
We've been using this detergent forever and it's been great for our pups with sensitive skin. It doesn't have an overpowering scent and we use it for all of our pups' laundry including snuffle mats and bedding. Prim always gets extremely excited with fresh laundry, so she likes it, too!
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If you’re looking for how to wash a dog collar without a washing machine, we can do that, too! We’ll follow the same process to start (removing attachments) and then put a few drops of your dog’s shampoo in a bowl of hot water and soak the collar for approximately 15 minutes. We recommend something like Earthbath’s hot spot shampoo, which is great for sensitive skin or itchy dogs. After that’s complete, rinse the collar well and hang it up to dry. If you need some help with some stuck on dirt, a soft brush is a good option if you’re gentle with it.
Biothane
Biothane collars have more restrictions on cleaning, but they are much easier to clean.
Biothane collars have a smoother and easier to clean surface than everything except metal, so we don’t need to put a ton of effort in to get a clean collar. A few drops of your dog’s shampoo and a damp cloth should be more than enough to get these collars clean. If you need some extra help, you can soak biothane in a water/soap mixture, but be careful with the buckle and other attachment points. Depending on the material, it may not be as resistant to being submerged in water as the rest of the collar.
We find these collars are the easiest to clean, but don’t handle high heat or rough cleaning well. Fortunately, we rarely have difficulty cleaning these collars, so they shouldn’t be necessary.
Metal
Metal collars vary in how easy they are to clean, depending on the condition and type of the metal. We recommend starting with a damp cloth or soft brush to see how dirty the collar is. If you still have dirt spots after wiping, we recommend soaking the collar with some of your pup’s shampoo in a bowl of warm water and trying to wipe it off again. We find this usually handles most of the dirt and debris on the collar without too much scrubbing. Dry the collar completely to avoid rust.
If you have some rust on your pup’s collar, we recommend trying a baking soda paste. It’s easy, cheap, and effective for any surface rust, but will not work if the rust is past the surface. To make the baking soda paste, grab a spoonful of baking soda and add water until it turns into a paste. There’s no need to be precise with the mixture, so anywhere from Playdough to a heavy cream consistency is fine! Use the rough end of a non-scratch sponge and scrub the baking soda into the rusted spot until the rust is gone. After the rust is gone, rinse away any excess paste and let the metal dry.
How to remove odors from collars
If, after cleaning your pup’s collar, there’s still an odor, we have a few different options. The first is to soak your dog’s collar with a few drops of dog shampoo (our favorite is Veterinary Formula’s Antiseptic and Antifungal shampoo, but any dog-safe shampoo will work). Let it soak for 15 minutes and thoroughly rinse it off. For particularly potent odors, scrubbing it with a soft brush (something like a toothbrush) will help even more by working it into the crevices of the material.
Our pick!
Veterinary Formula Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Shampoo for Dogs (16 fl oz)
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$9.87
We've been using this shampoo for years with Goomba's consistent skin issues. It's great to help fight any skin infections or yeast smells. The bottle lasts a surprisingly long time as we've only had to purchase 2 in years of weekly or biweekly baths. It's gentle enough that it works well on Prim's skin, too, when we need to use it.
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03/21/2025 04:05 pm GMT
Two other options are the baking soda paste (check the how to clean metal color section for more information) or a vinegar-water mixture. The vinegar-water mixture will be the same process as the shampoo mixture, except substitute vinegar for the shampoo. After soaking the collar for around 15 minutes, rinse it and hang it to dry. In our experience, the baking soda mixture works well overall, but the vinegar mixture works great with removing oil based scents.
These cleaning methods will work great for harnesses, too. Check out our guides on how to harness train your dog and favorite no-pull harness if you want more information on harnesses.
Drying and storing dog collars
No guide on how to clean a dog collar would be complete without talking about drying and storing your pup’s collar. We recommend opting for air drying and not using a dryer. The high heat can damage most materials, especially cloth or synthetic collars, and most collars air dry quickly. We recommend either laying it flat or hanging it up to dry. Ensure your pup’s collar is completely dry before putting back on them to reduce the risk of moisture related issues.
To store your dog’s collar, if you have more than one, place them in a dry, cool place. UV exposure damages some materials, so keeping them out of direct sunlight is a good practice, too. Damp areas can promote mold or mildew growth, especially for cloth or leather based collars. We store our space collars on a shelf that’s out of the way of direct sunlight and it’s been working great for years. If that’s not an option, a drawer or wherever you keep spare dog supplies is a great option, as long as it’s completely dry when it’s stored.
Finally, we recommend inspecting your dog’s collar for signs of damage whenever you wash it. Fraying edges, stitch issues, or inconsistent stretching of the material are signs that your pup’s collar is nearing the end of its life. We try to remember to give ours a good once over whenever we put away the clean collars after drying.
Common mistakes to avoid while cleaning
There are several common mistakes people make when cleaning dog collars. The most common is not using the correct cleaning methods for a collar. Whether it is from not reading the tag or not knowing the proper methods, improper cleaning can lead to damage to the collar and dramatically shorten the collar’s lifespan. Depending on the material, using incorrect cleaning methods result in fading, cracking, or shrinking, damaging the integrity of your dog’s collar. Don’t forget to remember the buckles and attachment points on the collar, too!
The second most common mistake is using too harsh chemicals on your dog’s collar. Human soaps and cleaners aren’t formulated for contact with your dog’s skin and can cause a great deal of irritation. Use pet safe products, such as Earthbath’s hot spot shampoo, instead of human soaps. Improper rinsing can make this issue even worse, even with dog-safe shampoo, for dogs with sensitive skin. Soaps can be extremely irritating to both human and dog skin if you don’t rinse them thoroughly, so remember to give your dog’s collar a good rinse before letting it dry.
Our favorite!
Earthbath Hot Spot Relief Pet Shampoo (16 oz)
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$16.99
We've been using this shampoo for years, too. It's great for helping repair any dry skin or toes for our dogs. Goomba is a frequent user and it really helps alleviate some of his skin irritation. We've been using the same bottle for well over a year with tons of bathing. We highly recommend it!
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03/21/2025 05:16 pm GMT
Finally, most dog owners don’t inspect their dog’s collar for signs of wear and tear. Over time, collars can become damaged from abrasions, weather, or cleaning and be much easier to break. Inspecting your pup’s collar when you clean it can catch these minor issues before they become a larger issue. If your collar is showing signs of wear, we recommend replacing it as soon as you can, especially if you walk your dog with a leash on their collar.
Conclusion
Trying to determine how to clean a dog collar doesn’t need to be a challenging process! A clean collar will significantly affect your dog’s comfort and health, regardless of which material you choose. Understanding the different collar materials and their cleaning process will help ensure your pup’s collar remains clean and odor-free while maximizing its lifetime.
Have different tips on how to clean a dog collar? We love to hear from you, especially about new ideas to try out! Share your favorite tips and tricks on cleaning collars with us on Instagram @therulybully!
