After a winter of salt, slush and mud, your dog’s gear has earned some attention. Collars, leashes and harnesses that look fine from a distance can hide grime, frayed stitching and worn hardware. A spring cleaning session freshens things up and, just as important, gives you a chance to catch problems before they fail on a walk.
Start with an inspection
Lay out everything your dog wears or uses on walks: collars, leashes, harnesses, jackets and raincoats, ID tags, long lines and clip-on lights. Look at each item closely.
- Stitching: loose threads, gaps or unraveling, especially near buckles and clips.
- Webbing and fabric: fraying edges, thinning spots, chew marks and cuts.
- Leather: cracking, stiffness, or stretched holes.
- Hardware: rust, bent rings, sticky clips and buckles that do not lock firmly.
- Hook-and-loop closures: fur and lint that keep them from holding.
- Tags: worn engraving, scratched QR codes and weak split rings.
Anything that looks unsafe should be replaced, not cleaned. A leash or collar that fails at the wrong moment can put your dog at real risk.
Cleaning by material
Nylon and polyester webbing: many collars and leashes can be soaked in warm water with a mild soap, gently scrubbed with an old toothbrush, rinsed thoroughly and air-dried. Check the maker’s care instructions first. Some items can go in a washing machine inside a mesh bag; metal hardware may get scratched or damage the drum otherwise.
Leather: wipe with a damp cloth and a cleaner made for leather, then condition it to keep it supple. Avoid soaking leather, and let it dry naturally away from direct heat.
Coated materials such as biothane: these typically wipe clean with soap and water.
Jackets and harnesses: follow the care label. Fasten hook-and-loop closures before washing, use mild detergent, and air-dry. Remove any fur trapped in the closures with a comb.
Whatever you clean, rinse well so soap residue does not irritate your dog’s skin, and make sure everything is completely dry before your dog wears it again.
Check tags and ID
Spring cleaning is a good time to look at your dog’s tags. Is the engraving still readable? Does a QR tag still scan? Is the information on the tag and in any linked profile still correct? Check your microchip registration too, and update anything that has changed over the winter.
Store winter gear, set out spring gear
Once winter jackets and booties are clean and fully dry, store them in a breathable bag or bin. Damp gear stored away can develop mildew. Bring raincoats, lighter leashes and long lines to the front of the closet. Group items by season so the right gear is at hand by the door.
Finally, refit everything on your dog. A collar or harness that fit in the fall may need adjusting after a winter of coat growth or weight changes. PUPWEAR makes collars, tags, jackets and gear, and every piece of gear lasts longer with regular care.
