How to Clean Dog Runs

Though a canine companion can be fun, cleaning up after him is not. Cleanliness is as important to a pet's health as it is to a human's. Care must be taken to keep the dog's home, toys, bedding, dishes and the dog himself as clean and bacteria free as possible. This task is less overwhelming if an easy-to-follow routine is in place.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Bleach
  • Hot water
  • Scrub brush
  • Garden hose
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the resident dog when cleaning a dog run. Cleaning chemicals are dangerous if ingested by a dog, and the smell of some cleaners may upset the dog's sinuses and upper respiratory system. Remember, a dog's nose is much more sensitive than a person's. This may be a good time to bathe the dog so he smells as nice as his clean home.

    • 2

      Remove all accessories, including food and water dishes, toys and blankets. Wash blankets and cloth toys in the washing machine. Place cloth toys inside a pillowcase and tie shut before placing them in the machine. This helps protect the toys from being tossed around too much during machine cycles and makes it more likely that the dog's favorite things will survive the wash in one piece. Soak solid plastic toys in a diluted bleach mixture of one part bleach to 32 parts water.

    • 3

      Use a flat shovel (set one aside to be used only for this purpose) to scoop up feces from the ground and into a bag, to be disposed of.

    • 4

      Mix antibacterial hand or dish soap with hot water (approximately one tablespoon of soap per gallon of water). Wear plastic gloves while cleaning to protect from germs. Use a scrub brush to work the cleaning solution onto the bars of the run. Spend a little extra time cleaning the bottom of the bars, as they are more likely contaminated with urine and feces.

    • 5

      Use a garden hose to rinse the soapy water from the bars of the run. Hose attachments with spray settings such as "jet" and "stream" work well for this task. Some dog runs have flooring, while others sit directly on the grass or dirt. If the run has flooring, hose the floor down with hose after the bars are done.

    • 6

      Allow the dog run to dry. This will not take long on hot days, but it may require some patience in cold, cloudy weather. Replace accessories once they are dry.