Care Instructions - Dog products
Find everything you need to know about using and caring for your HEVEA dog products.
Made from natural rubber, our dog products combine thoughtful Danish design with practical functionality for everyday play and enrichment.
How do you clean HEVEA dog products?
Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and let dry. If cleaning a licking mat, bend the mat under running water to flush out any food left behind.
For deeper cleans, you can boil water and then pour over the HEVEA dog product and let sit for up to 5 minutes in the water. Remove and wipe dry.
To remove deep dirt or mould, you can use this additional eco-friendly and cost-effective deep cleaning tip - Combine two parts warm water and one part white vinegar. Let product soak in the mixture or sponge it on. The acid in the vinegar will naturally dissolve most of the dirt or mould, so you do not need to use soap. Leave the product in for an hour and wipe the product and rinse it with fresh water before use again.
It is not recommended to clean natural rubber products in a dishwasher. While it can be done, it will decrease the life of the product since they are made out of natural materials.
Store in a dry dark place. Do not leave out for long periods in direct sun.
Are the HEVEA dog products dishwasher safe?
Yes, you can, however know that since our products are made with natural materials, this will shorten their life span. To do so, place on the top rack and set at no higher than 50° C /120° F degrees.
Alternatively, you highly recommend that you instead clean HEVEA dog products by wiping with a damp cloth and mild soap, rinse, and let dry or towel dry off. And, for a deep clean, we recommend this eco-friendly option. White vinegar is a very effective cleaner and is a harmless natural cleaner. It should be your first choice for deep cleaning as it will naturally dissolve most any build up of unwanted nasties. You do not need to use soap. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts warm water. Submerge the product completely for one hour, or apply the solution with a sponge and let sit for an hour. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
What safety standards do HEVEA dog products comply with?
At HEVEA, we believe pet products deserve the same attention to quality and safety as products made for people.
With years of experience developing baby products, we bring our knowledge of natural rubber, product design and safety testing into our HEVEA Dog Collection.
We work with our manufacturing partners and independent testing laboratories, to assess our products against relevant safety and material requirements.
Our focus is on carefully selected materials, functional design and ongoing quality control.
My HEVEA dog product seems oily – why is that?
HEVEA products have been treated with vegetable oil. It is completely safe and harmless. You can however clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Are HEVEA dog products freezer friendly?
Yes, you can put the toys in the freezer or refrigerator. For teething puppies it can be nice cooling element to relieve aches or on a hot day fill the toys with your dog's favourite food and freeze it. Leave out to thaw a bit before feeding your dog.
My HEVEA dog product has a particular smell – why is that?
Natural rubber can sometimes have a faint smell reminiscent of vanilla, especially soon after our products are manufactured. It is primarily due to the presence of certain organic compounds within the rubber itself. One of the key compounds responsible for this aroma is called isoprene. Isoprene is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon that contributes to the distinctive scent of natural rubber. For the general population, though, the faint vanilla scent in natural rubber products is not a cause for concern regarding safety.
How durable are the HEVEA dog toys?
Compared to most dog toys the HEVEA dog products are extremely durable. We have put them through hard tests of heavy chewers and they are very resistant to severe chewing. However, as it is a natural material it is not indestructible and is not a tug toy. Should your dog manage to chew bits of please make sure to remove the toy to limit choking hazards.
Our HEVEA dog toy has been left outdoors and now looks different – is it safe to use?
Our products are made from natural rubber and all packaging warns that they should not be left out in direct sunlight for extended periods of time as it will accelerate the decomposition process. Please always store HEVEA products in a dry and shaded location.
You can rub the product with a bit of vegetable oil to make them last longer or bring the shine back. If it is just a change colour due to sun exposure - it is still ok to use a product that's colour is changing as it is natural.
A sign that your HEVEA natural rubber product is at the end of its usable lifespan is if it shows tears or becomes sticky, flaky, becomes less flexible, or shows any sign of tearing. If you see any of these signs, it is time to send it to us for upcycling or dispose it.
Is it just air in the dog chew toys?
Yes - 100% pure air within our natural rubber chew toys - rest assured there are no toxins within our products should they be punctured.
