How to Clean Cat Toys Safely: Fabric, Plastic and Electronic Toys

By Emma Hartley | Reviewed by IndoorCatWell Editorial Team | Last updated October 2026

Cat toys spend their lives in a mouth. They collect saliva, food, hair, dust, litter, and the occasional hairball, and some get dragged to the litter box or the water bowl. Most of the time that is harmless, but a toy that smells, feels sticky, or looks damp is carrying more than you want, and cleaning it with the wrong product can be worse than not cleaning it at all. This guide covers how to clean each kind of toy, what to use and what to avoid, how often to clean, and when to throw a toy away instead.

Why cleaning matters

• Hygiene. Toys carry saliva, food residue, and bacteria. Food puzzle toys are the most likely to harbor spoiled food.
• Smell. A cat judges a toy by smell. A musty toy may be ignored.
• Illness. Some viruses that cause cat respiratory infections can survive on surfaces for a time. If a cat in your home has been sick, ask your vet how to clean shared items.
• Mold. A damp toy that doesn’t dry properly can grow mold.
• Safety. Cleaning is an ideal time to check for damage.

What to use and what to avoid

Use:

• Warm water
• Mild, fragrance-free dish soap or detergent
• A soft brush or an old toothbrush for crevices
• A lint roller or a rubber glove for hair
• Plain water to rinse

Avoid:

• Strongly scented products. Cats are sensitive to smell, and fragrance can put her off the toy or irritate her.
• Fabric softener and dryer sheets. Residues are unsuitable for items she’ll mouth, and dryer sheets can be toxic to cats.
• Essential oils, which can be dangerous or toxic to cats.
• Bleach and harsh disinfectants on items she will chew, unless a vet recommends a particular product and dilution.
• Cleaners containing phenols or strong solvents.
• Rubbing alcohol on plastics that may degrade or leave residues.

Fabric and plush toys

1. Check the label. If there is one, follow it. Many toys don’t have one.
2. Remove parts. Take off bells, feathers, strings, or any parts that can come off, and clean or replace them separately.
3. Place in a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase, to protect the toy and the machine.
4. Wash on a gentle cycle, in cool or warm water, with a small amount of fragrance-free detergent. Don’t use fabric softener.
5. Rinse well, possibly with an extra rinse cycle, to remove soap.
6. Dry completely. Air-dry in a well-ventilated place, or tumble-dry on low if the toy can take it. Check that it is completely dry inside before returning it, since damp stuffing can grow mold.
7. Check it afterward. Look for loose seams, thin spots, and stuffing coming out.

Catnip and silvervine toys

Washing can remove some of the herb scent. You can refresh it with a small amount of fresh catnip or silvervine kept in a sealed container, or a catnip spray. If the toy has a pouch that opens, empty and refill it rather than washing the herb.

Toys filled with beans or pellets

Many aren’t safe to put in the washing machine, and filling can swell or leak. Spot-clean with a damp cloth, and replace if heavily soiled.

Plastic and rubber toys

Balls, tracks, and plastic mice are easy to clean:

1. Wash in warm soapy water, using a soft brush for ridges and crevices.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Air-dry on a clean towel.
4. Dishwasher. Some are labeled top-rack dishwasher safe. If there’s no label, wash by hand to prevent heat warping.

Puzzle feeders and treat toys

Food residue is the problem here, and it can spoil quickly:

• Wash after every use, or at least daily if you refill it daily.
• Take it apart where possible, and scrub the compartments.
• Use a bottle brush for tubes and narrow spaces.
• Rinse and dry completely.
• Check for cracks, where food and bacteria can hide.

Wand toys, feathers, and strings

• Wipe the handle with a damp cloth.
• Spot-clean the toy end with a damp cloth and mild soap. Don’t soak feathers, which can mat and degrade.
• Check the string for fraying, and the attachment for looseness.
• Store wand toys out of reach after play. A cat chewing a string is a major foreign-body swallowing risk.

Electronic and battery-powered toys

1. Turn it off and remove the batteries.
2. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth and mild soap, wrung out well. Never submerge it.
3. Use a dry brush or cotton swab to remove hair and dust from wheels, gears, and gaps.
4. Don’t spray liquid into openings.
5. Dry fully before replacing batteries.
6. Check the battery compartment for corrosion.

How often to clean

When to throw a toy away

• It is torn, with stuffing or parts showing
• Pieces have come off, or eyes or bells are loose
• A string or ribbon is frayed
• It is cracked, sharp, or crumbling
• It has mold or a persistent odor after washing
• Heavily stained with urine, vomit, or feces
• The batteries leaked or compartment won’t close

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading

• Indoor cat enrichment on a budget]
• Stimulating cat toys by play style]
• How often to replace cat toys, scratchers and beds]
• Indoor cat toys safety]

Sources to cite and verify

• ASPCA, household hazards, including cleaning products and dryer sheets (aspca.org)
• Cornell Feline Health Center, feline upper respiratory infections and disinfection (vet.cornell.edu)