Short answer: to refresh a catnip toy, seal it in a jar or bag with a spoonful of fresh dried catnip for a day or two, or refill it if it opens. To clean wool toys, spot clean or hand wash in lukewarm water with a little mild soap, press out the water gently and let them air dry completely. Never tumble dry felted wool.
I'm Amy, and I make natural cat toys by hand in Wuppertal. These are the same steps I use for the well-loved (and slightly soggy) toys around our house.
Key takeaways
- To refresh a catnip toy, seal it in a jar with a spoonful of fresh, lightly crushed dried catnip for a day or two.
- Refillable toys let you swap in fresh catnip or valerian whenever the scent fades.
- Clean wool toys by spot cleaning or hand washing in lukewarm water. No washing machine, no tumble dryer.
- Air dry completely before giving toys back, and reshape them while damp.
- Rotate toys and store scented ones airtight so they stay exciting for longer.
How to refresh catnip toys
Catnip slowly loses its scent, especially in toys that are played with a lot. Before you replace a toy, try this:
- Put the toy in a jar or zip bag with a spoonful of fresh dried catnip.
- Crush the catnip a little between your fingers first to release the oils.
- Close it and leave it for a day or two. Wool soaks up the scent well.
- Shake off any loose bits and give it back to your cat.
You can also rub a pinch of crushed catnip directly onto the outside of a wool toy for an instant boost.
Premium dried catnip
25 g in a reusable airtight tube, perfect for bringing old toys back to life.
Refillable toys
Our refillable kicker opens so you can swap the filling whenever you like. Empty the old filling, add fresh catnip or valerian, and close it securely. It's also a handy way to find out which scent your cat prefers. If your cat ignores catnip, read what to try instead.
How to clean wool felt toys
Felted wool is naturally quite dirt-resistant, so most toys only need a light clean now and then.
- Spot clean first: dab marks with a damp cloth and a tiny drop of mild soap or wool wash.
- Hand wash if needed: lukewarm water, a little mild soap, and gentle squeezing. Avoid rubbing hard, because rubbing and heat can make felt shrink or go fuzzy.
- Rinse in lukewarm water of the same temperature. Sudden changes from warm to cold can also shrink wool.
- Avoid the washing machine and dryer. They can shrink, matt or misshape felted toys.
Washing will remove some of the scent from catnip or valerian toys, so refresh them afterwards as above.
How to clean cotton and corduroy toys
Cotton fish, gingham mice and corduroy kickers can be spot cleaned or hand washed in the same way. If a toy has a scented filling, keep it as dry as you can inside: clean the outside with a damp cloth rather than soaking it, so the filling doesn't clump.
Drying
- Gently press out the water with a towel. Don't wring or twist.
- Reshape the toy with your fingers while it's damp.
- Leave it to air dry somewhere warm and airy, but not on a radiator or in strong sun.
- Make sure it's completely dry inside before giving it back, which can take a day or two for thicker toys.
Storing toys so they stay exciting
Cats get bored of toys that are always lying around. Rotating them keeps play interesting and helps scented toys last longer.
- Keep a few toys out and put the rest away. Swap them every few days.
- Store scented toys in a sealed jar or tin with a little catnip, so they stay fresh.
- Put wands away after every play session, out of your cat's reach.
- Keep wool toys away from moths with a cedar block or lavender sachet in the storage box, kept out of your cat's reach.
Matatabi sticks
Matatabi sticks lose their scent as the outer layer gets chewed away. Lightly scraping or sanding the end can release more scent. Replace sticks once they splinter or become too short to hold safely. Shop fresh matatabi sticks.
How often should you clean cat toys?
For most homes, a quick look once a week and a proper clean every month or two is plenty. Clean sooner if a toy is visibly dirty, has been dropped in the water bowl or litter tray, or if a cat has been unwell. Wands and toys that live in a play basket tend to stay cleaner than the favourite that gets carried everywhere.
If you have several cats, give each a few toys of their own and wash shared favourites a little more often.
A quick safety check
While you're cleaning, check each toy for open seams, loose parts or fraying strings, and retire anything that's damaged. More on keeping play safe.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make catnip toys smell again?
Seal the toy in a jar or bag with a spoonful of fresh, lightly crushed dried catnip for a day or two. Wool absorbs the scent well.
Can I put wool cat toys in the washing machine?
It's best not to. Heat and movement can shrink or misshape felted wool. Spot clean or hand wash in lukewarm water instead and let them air dry.
How long does catnip last in a toy?
It depends on how much the toy is played with, but the scent fades over weeks to months. Storing toys in a sealed container between play sessions helps it last longer.
How do I store catnip?
In an airtight container, somewhere cool, dark and dry. Our dried catnip comes in a reusable airtight tube.
When should I throw a cat toy away?
When it's damaged: open seams, loose parts, chewed-off pieces or a fraying string.
Can I wash catnip toys?
Yes, but washing removes some of the scent. Spot clean where you can, and refresh the toy with fresh catnip once it's completely dry.
Do matatabi sticks need cleaning?
Not really. Let them dry if they get soggy, scrape the end lightly to release more scent, and replace them once they splinter.
Happy playing from Amy, Pancake and Marmalade. Shop catnip, valerian and matatabi toys.
