This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Dog ID tags feature contact information for a dog’s owner, and often play a vital role in the safe return of lost pets. They are typically made of brass or stainless steel, with the pet owner’s name, address, and phone number engraved onto them.[1] It is important to keep your dog’s tag clean and legible by cleaning it once a week with a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid. If necessary, scrub the lettering with an old toothbrush to remove dirt and debris. Brass tags can also be cleaned with a mixture of vinegar and salt, while stainless steel tags can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Dog ID tags can be polished with store bought polish or with household ingredients (e.g. ketchup, rubbing alcohol).
Steps
Routinely Cleaning a Dog ID Tag
Soak the ID tag. In a medium-sized bowl, mix 2 cups of warm water with one table spoon of dishwashing liquid. Gently remove the dog tag from your dog's collar and place it in the bowl. Let it soak for several minutes.[2]- This cleaning mixture is suitable for both brass and stainless steel dog ID tags.
Gently scrub the dog tag. Dip a regular, non-abrasive sponge into the cleaning mixture. Scrub the tag gently until it looks clean and the shine returns. Rinse the tag.[3]Advertisement
Remove dirt from lettering. After cleaning, check the ID tag to see if the engraved lettering is legible. If there is still dirt caught in the tiny engraved lettering, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the letters until they are clean. Rinse away any debris.[4]
Dry the tag. Dry the dog tag by patting it with a soft cloth or paper towel. Let it sit for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure that it is dry. Reattach the tag to the dog collar.[5]
Clean the tag regularly. Dog tags experience a lot of wear and tear, and can quickly collect dirt, grime, and grease. If tags become too dirty, they will not be readable and won't serve their purpose. Be sure to wash your dog's ID tag at least once a week to keep it in decent shape.[6]Advertisement
Using an Alternative Method for Brass Tags
Make a vinegar mixture. In a sturdy glass bowl, mix 1 cup of regular white vinegar with one tablespoon of salt. Heat the mixture in a microwave until it is very warm, but not too hot to use. Stir the mixture.[7]- Only use this mixture for brass dog tags – over time, exposure to salt and vinegar mixes can damage stainless steel.[8]
Soak the dog ID tag. Place the brass ID tag in the mixture and leave it to soak. Check the tag every 10 minutes or so. Remove it once it looks clean.[9]- Given the strong smell of the vinegar, opt to place the bowl outside while the tag soaks if possible.
Rinse the tag. Rinse the tag thoroughly, making sure to remove all traces of vinegar. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, pat the tag dry. Be sure to dry it completely as brass develops water spots very easily.Advertisement
Quickly Cleaning Stainless Steel Tags
Prepare a cleaning cloth. Pour a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol onto a clean, soft cloth. Alternatively, use a soft sponge or paper towel. Be sure to stay away from heat and open flames as rubbing alcohol is quite flammable.[10]
Wipe down the tag. Gently wipe the dog tag with the cloth, staying with the grain of the metal. Be sure to remove all oil, grime, and fingerprints from the surface. Continue wiping until all the lettering on the tag is clearly visible.[11]- For a more thorough cleaning, soak the tag in a cup of rubbing alcohol for 5-10 minutes.
Dry the tag. Pat the tag dry with a paper towel. If desired, leave the tag to air dry for several minutes. Repeat this process once a week or whenever the tag looks dirty.Advertisement
Polishing the Dog Tag
Choose what polish to use. There are many ingredients to choose from to polish your dog ID tag with. For a simple option, purchase stainless steel or brass polish (available in most department stores). Otherwise, opt for natural ingredients:
Apply the polish. Put 2-3 drops or dabs of your chosen polish onto a soft, damp cloth. Gently rub the cloth over the surface of the dog tag. Continue until the tag is shiny.
Clean off the tag. One the tag is shiny, wipe it clean. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any residual polish on the tag. Wipe dry with a paper towel.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Things You'll Need
- Soft cleaning cloths
- Paper towels
- Water
- Dish soap
- Medium-sized bowl
- Old toothbrush
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Brass or stainless steel polish
- Ketchup
- Rubbing alcohol
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
Warnings
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing materials to clean brass or stainless steel, which can leave scratch marks on the surface.Thanks
- To prevent damage, never use chlorinated products on stainless steel.Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/identification-tags-microchips/
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Dog-Tags-/10000000178514596/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Dog-Tags-/10000000178514596/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Dog-Tags-/10000000178514596/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Dog-Tags-/10000000178514596/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Dog-Tags-/10000000178514596/g.html
- ↑ http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/how-to-clean-brass/
- ↑ http://www.julien.ca/en/home_refinements/additional_information/the_abcs_of_stainless_steel/
- ↑ http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/how-to-clean-brass/
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/
- ↑ http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
- ↑ http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBMAnWDdrRU
- ↑ http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/10-uses-for-lemons
About this article
To clean your dog’s ID tag, soak it in a bowl of 2 cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid once a week. After a few minutes, scrub the tag with a soft sponge until it turns shiny. If you still see dirt on the lettering after scrubbing the tag, use an old toothbrush to clean the letters. As an optional extra, give your tag additional shine by polishing it with natural ingredients, like ketchup for brass tags or olive oil if it’s made of stainless steel. Once you’re finished, dry the tag with a towel before reattaching it to your dog’s collar. For tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to wash your brass tag using vinegar, read on!
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