How to Clean BioThane Dog Gear: a Guide

Introduction

BioThane® is beloved by dog owners, trainers, and hikers because it’s famously durable, waterproof, smell-proof, and almost maintenance-free. But even the toughest dog gear needs a little cleaning—especially if you live in rainy places like the Pacific Northwest or you own a dog who treats mud like a personality trait.

The good news?
To clean BioThane is ridiculously easy when you know the right methods.

This guide walks you through how to clean, sanitize, deodorize, and maintain your BioThane leashes, collars, and long lines—plus how to handle mold, beach sand, and even tough red PNW clay.

What Makes BioThane So Easy to Clean?

BioThane is made from a polyester core coated in a non-porous waterproof polymer, meaning:

It doesn’t trap odors
It doesn’t absorb oils or dirt
It resists mud and stains
It rinses clean with almost no effort
It withstands heavy use and abrasion

This is why all Bolder K9 leashes, collars, and long lines stay looking new longer than nylon or leather products.

Basic Cleaning (Everyday Maintenance)

You’ll need:

Warm water
Mild dish soap
A cloth or sponge

Steps:

Fill a sink or bowl with warm water.
Add a small amount of dish soap.
Dip your cloth or sponge.
Wipe down the BioThane surface thoroughly.
Rinse with clean water.
Dry with a towel—or don’t. It air-dries instantly.

This removes dirt, oils, dust, and daily grime.

Deep Cleaning for Mud, Clay, and Heavy Dirt

If you’ve been hiking or letting your dog run through water, mud, or brush, you might need deeper cleaning.

Use a soft-bristle brush

A soft brush helps lift debris without scratching or damaging the material.

Steps:

Rinse your leash with warm water first.
Use a brush dipped in soapy water.
Scrub gently, especially around:StitchingHardwareBuckle areasRivet points
Stitching
Hardware
Buckle areas
Rivet points
Rinse thoroughly.
Dry.

Do NOT use abrasive pads or steel wool—BioThane is tough, but you’ll scratch the outer coating unnecessarily.

How to Clean BioThane After the Beach

Saltwater is fine for BioThane, but salt left to dry on hardware can weaken it long term.

After ocean use:

Rinse the entire leash in fresh water
Pay special attention to the clip
Towel dry the hardware
Lay flat to air dry

If sand gets trapped under hardware or stitching:

Rinse under running water to flush it out
Flex the material gently so sand dislodges

Pro tip:
For beach dogs, the Professional Sewn BioThane Leash handles salt and moisture best:
https://bolderk9.com/products/professional-sewn-biothane-dog-leash

How to Remove Odors from BioThane

Usually BioThane doesn’t smell—but hardware can if exposed to bacteria or swamp water.

For odor removal:

Mix 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 cup warm water
Wipe the leash thoroughly
Rinse
Dry

For particularly funky smells (hello, Lake Washington muck):

Use a 50/50 vinegar + water solution
Rinse afterward
Dry

This won’t damage BioThane at all.

How to Sanitize BioThane

For dogs with sensitive skin, after boarding, or post-rescue intake:

Use diluted bleach:

1 tbsp bleach per 1 quart of water
Wipe or dip for 10–15 seconds
Rinse thoroughly
Dry

BioThane is bleach-safe in diluted amounts, but rinse well.

DO NOT use:

Undiluted bleach
Industrial disinfectants
Harsh solvents
Acetone or methylated spirits
These can discolor or weaken hardware.

Can BioThane Mold?

BioThane itself cannot mold, but dirt trapped under hardware or stitching can.

If you see dark spots:

Do this:

Mix warm water + dish soap
Add a splash of vinegar
Scrub gently with a soft brush
Rinse
Dry

If mold appears around stitching, upgrade to a leash with high-strength industrial stitching, like the Pebble Grip Pro series:
https://bolderk9.com/products/pebble-grip-biothane-dog-leash

How to Clean Around Hardware

Clips and buckles accumulate the most grime.

Best method:

Use a soft toothbrush
Scrub around the clip’s hinge
Rinse thoroughly
Apply a micro-drop of oil to the hinge if needed (wipe excess)

Avoid WD-40 or heavy oils that attract dirt.

How to Clean Reflective or Two-Tone BioThane Leashes

Your Atlas Two Tone Leash and reflective variants need gentler care:

Avoid:

Harsh scrubbing
Abrasive brushes
High-concentration cleaners

Instead use:

Mild soap
Warm water
Soft cloth

Check out the two-tone styles here:
https://bolderk9.com/products/atlas-two-tone-biothane-dog-leash

Drying BioThane

BioThane dries instantly. Hardware dries fast too, but pat it dry to prevent mineral deposits or corrosion over time.

Avoid:

Direct dryer heat
Radiators
Prolonged sun baking (only to protect hardware finishes)

Storage Tips to Extend Lifespan

Store your BioThane gear:

Indoors
Out of direct sun
Away from extreme moisture
On a hook or in a drawer
Not coiled too tightly

Avoid:

Leaving it in the trunk
Storing while muddy
Long-term exposure to saltwater residue

Best Bolder K9 Products for Easy Cleaning

If you want gear that basically cleans itself, these are your best bets:

Conclusion

Clean BioThane is one of the easiest parts of owning quality dog gear. With just soap and water, your leashes and collars can look brand new, smell fresh, and last for years—even through mud, rain, snow, beach days, and countless adventures.

If you want dog gear that’s simple to maintain, durable enough for the PNW, and built for real working dogs, explore Bolder K9’s complete BioThane collection:

https://bolderk9.com/collections/all