It’s easy to clean a dog kennel – but not so easy to clean it properly. Half-jobs are almost as bad as No-jobs when it comes to cleaning kennels. Better to do it right the first time and save yourself the trouble of striping the thing down later to get rid of all the nasty bits that remain. We’re not saying that you have to do it this way, but it’ll probably make your life much more simple. Probably.
#1 – First things first, move everything out
That’s right, move out everything that isn’t nailed down. The less stuff inside the kennel when the hose comes out, the better. Of course, move the dog out (unless your pup really, really likes the water) and move other separate items out as well – like the bedding, food/water bowls, and play toys. Don’t forget to clean these items too. You wouldn’t want to clean the entire kennel and then put dirty items back in it. That’s like taking a shower and putting dirty clothes on – generally, not an advantageous thing to do.
#2 – Remove the solid waste
Get out the handy pooper-scooper and be rid of any feces in the kennel. This is important to do before you hose the kennel down for obvious reasons. It’s also a good idea to sweep up any pet hair from the kennel floor.After you’re done, hosing the kennel down with some hot water will wash away any remaining contaminates. It might be tempting, but don’t stop there! Move on to the next step.
#3 – Get the disinfectant!
You’ll probably need one to combat the level of nasty a dog kennel is capable of reaching. It’s a good idea to dilute any bleach that you might be using – the stuff can corrode fences, and irritate your dog’s nasal passages if used straight out the bottle and left to stand. An estimation of one part bleach to 32 parts water is recommended. Once mixed, use a spray bottle (or similar device) to apply the disinfectant throughout the kennel. Be generous with the spray, it’ll help out for this next part.
#4 – Scrub, scrub, scrub
This is the hard part. Don’t break your back or anything (the spraying itself will kill most of the contaminates) but do be sure to wash areas that are easily forgotten. The kennel door is a common oversight, as well as latches and hinges. After you’ve scrubbed the dog kennel down, leave it to sit for a while. The solution needs time to work right.
#5 – Wash it all!
This is the easiest (and most fun) part of the cleaning process. Wash the kennel down with your hose. That’s all. Be sure not to miss a spot, though. Even diluted disinfectant can stain. Drying the kennel afterwords is also a great idea, but outside kennels should be a-okay to air dry.
And that’s all you have to do! Your dog’s kennel is now safe, cozy, AND clean. A perfect permanent place for your favorite pooch.
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