Any tips to get collars clean?

[Frisbee123]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone has any tips for stopping leather collars from stinking of fox/sweaty dog?! My saddler made a couple of leather collars for my dogs a few years ago, but as dogs do, they sometimes get rolled in fox poo or just smell doggy. I have cleaned them like I would do horse tack, have since resorted to scrubbing with bleach and sprayed them with dog cologne but they still reek! Its so bad they make the whole kitchen smell if they are in there. Is there anything that anyone has found to get rid of this smell - or do I need to face it and get new collars? Thank you!

 

[krlyr]

I bought some motorbike leathers from Ebay that came with a real musty cigarette smell - hadn't checked that they were from a smoke-free home! I was reluctant to use much on the leather and ended up chucking them in a large bin bag with a vast amount of bicarbonate of soda. It really absorbed the smell, and in addition to a couple of days out of the washing line, the leather lost all of its smokey smell.
I think vinegar can be safe to wipe across the leather too and it is a good natural deodouriser. If the alternative is to replace the collars, it could be worth a try.
Unless there's a particular reason you want leather, you might want to consider something a bit more washable in the future though. I use padded nylon collars and they just get throw in the washing machine along with the dogs' bedding every once in a while. Alternatively, the Dublin Dog collar range are designed to not retain water, dirt or bacteria, could be good for chronic poo-rollers.

 

[Frisbee123]

Thanks, I'll give those suggestions a go. I think if I do replace the collars I won't go for leather again as I agree something washable would be good. I'll look into your alternative suggestions too. Thanks again.