How to Clean Your BioThane Leash, Long Line, or Collar

One of the absolute best things about BioThane is that it is so low maintenance! The colors stay vibrant year after year, and the PVC coating is impervious to mold, moisture, and bacteria - so it stays way cleaner than just about any other leash option out there. I rarely do a full clean of my BioThane gear - I simply hang it up after use. It dries fast, retains its nice soft texture, and doesn’t get crusty or stinky like my other leashes used to. That said, occasionally a long line gets dragged through something gross or sticky, or my gear starts looking dull after lots of use. In that case, here are several easy ways to get it looking new again! 

How to Clean Your BioThane 

• The easiest “quick clean” option is to wipe your line down with a damp towel, a baby wipe, or a sanitizing wipe. This will work great for everyday surface dust and dirt.
• To do a more thorough clean, fill a bowl with mild soapy water and soak your line for a few minutes. Dish soap works great. After soaking for a few minutes, wipe your gear down with a sponge to remove the dirt, then rinse and towel dry. 
• Pro tip - you can throw your BioThane gear in the dishwasher - just avoid the high heat or sanitizing cycle, and make sure that your lines and clasps are contained so they don't get caught in the machine. This is a great option for cleaning multiple leashes! We do not recommend putting your gear in the washing machine. 
• If there are stubborn patches (tar or sap, for example), spray a mild cleaner or some rubbing alcohol directly on the spot, let it sit, and then wipe with a cloth, a sponge, or a light abrasive like an old toothbrush. Do not use a heavy abrasive like steel wool.
• After a beach trip, make sure you rinse your line, and especially the clasp, with fresh water to prevent corrosion from the salt water.
• To sanitize your gear, use a germicidal solution like Kennel Sol. Follow the dilution instructions and then spray or wipe down your gear. 
• The lighter/brighter BioThane colors do show dust and grime more, and may require more frequent cleaning to stay looking new. 

How to Care for Your Brass Hardware

• If your clasp gets sticky (this can happen if exposed to salt water or dirt/grime over time), wash it thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse, add a few drops of WD-40 inside the clasp, and move the clasp mechanism several times to help the oil penetrate. 
• Solid brass is rust proof but will develop a natural patina over time that will cause your hardware to look more dull or develop a greenish cast. To get the brass looking new again, make a paste using the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of baking soda. Coat the clasp in the paste, allow to sit for up to 30 minutes, buff with a soft cloth, and then rinse with water. There are lots of other homemade brass cleaner recipes online, but this one is simple and works well. 

That's it - easy peasy! Questions - just contact us!