How-to: Pet toy organization and storage

We love our fury friends, but we do not love the mess that comes with them. We may have little control over their messy eating habits, sloppy kisses and whirlwind hair shedding abilities, but we can take control over the clutter of their toys.

If you’re anything like me, you love to spoil your four legged buddy. My main man, Pablo, has all the toys, cat nip and scratching posts a kitty could dream of – and I’m the lucky one who trips over all of it day and night.

Regardless of whether your best friend is canine, feline or anything else – pet toy storage and organization is an easy task to tackle if you follow these basic steps:

Clean up

The first thing you’ll need to do is gather all of your bud’s toys from around the house. Once you do this, you can sort through them and decide what to keep and what to toss. To make the decision easier, look for the following and get rid of anything that falls under the category:

• Broken: if it doesn’t do what’s supposed to do anymore, trash it. Pet toys that are broken pose a greater risk of choking or swallowing for rough players.
• Old and/or dirty: If it’s been chewed down to the bare bones, dragged through the dirt or simply over played with, get rid of it. These toys are a breeding ground for germs and mold.
• Unfavorable: Have a toy that you friend seems to show no interest in? Donate it to your local shelter and help out a pup in need.
• Wash: When Pablo was a kitten I gave him a teddy bear. That thing has become his best friend. I can’t tell you how many times I have sewn it up just to watch him unleash his inner pint-sized lion on it. Those favorite toys are hard to get rid of, but they can be cleaned properly. Plush toys can be soaked, hand washed or thrown in the washing machine. You can even wet them and place them in the microwave to steam away any germs. Hard toys, like chews, can be soaked or placed in the top rack of the dishwasher to sanitize.

Storage

Once you have sorted through toys, it’s time to think storage. There are three points to consider: whether your pet’s behavior favors covered or uncovered storage, whether you need indoor and outdoor storage and, finally, placement.

When deciding whether you need covered or uncovered toy storage, consider your pet’s behavior. Do you trust them to access toys and play at their own discretion? Would you prefer to keep an eye on them while they play? Or do you have a mix of both?

I always make sure Pablo has a few toys floating around the house, but I prefer to keep the majority out of his reach. If you’re the same, the Pet Toy Storage Ottoman is an excellent solution. This storage piece boasts not only great capacity, including two inner pockets, but it adds extra seating or a great nap spot for your fury friend. This functional piece is attractive too. The classic chevron pattern in neutral gray and white tones compliments any home décor, and the playful paw print decal is the perfect whimsical accent. A detachable divider allows you to separate toys as needed.

If you’re looking for something a little easier to tote around the house, the Pet Toy Basket is a great addition to your play time. This fabric lined tote has two side rope handles, making it a cinch to move from room to room. Fill it up with toys, treats, bones and more – this tote is ready for the job. A soft beige color accents any modern décor and the same fun paw print decal adds the perfect, subtle label.

If you believe you are in need of outdoor toy storage as well, consider keeping a second basket by the door or adding outdoor storage like the Small Storage Bucket. If you need bigger or covered storage outside, The Outdoor Storage Box and Seat is sure to get the job done. This small sized deck box is an extra seat on the patio, as well as weather-proof storage for outdoor play things.

In the same breath, consider your placement. If you’re keeping toys outside, keep them close to the door. Inside, consider the living room or a spare bedroom where your pet likes to spend most of their time. The Toy Basket can easily be placed atop a bookshelf, while the Storage Ottoman is just at home with the rest of your living room furniture.

Bonus pet storage tips

• Leash and accessories: Be ready to go for a walk by keeping collars, leashes, disposal bags and more in one place. Utilize storage like the Pet Storage Hooks by the back door to tackle this project.
• Nip: Keep cat nip fresh by storing it in an air tight container and placing it in the fridge or freezer.
• Grooming: Tidy up hair brushes, shampoo and more by keeping items in a storage caddy under the bathroom sink, in the linen closet or laundry room.

Follow these basic steps and spend time playing with your best friend, not cleaning up after them.

Find more cool pet storage supplies plus easy ways to clean up after fury friends on our Pinterest page.

Find these products and more at organizeit.com.