Green Dog · Oxford Studio

Care Instructions for
Every Green Dog Material

Every material I use behaves differently. This guide tells you exactly how to clean, dry and protect your piece — whatever it's made from. The better you care for it, the longer it lasts.

💧 BioThane® 🪢 Paracord 🧵 PPM Rope 🐑 British Wool 🌿 Cotton Rope 🟤 Premium Leather

Select your material

What's your piece made from?

💧

BioThane®

Waterproof

🪢

Paracord

Most collars

🧵

PPM / Nylon Rope

Most leads

🐑

British Wool

Sheep Shed

🌿

Cotton Rope

Cotton Mill

🟤

Premium Leather

Natural & veg-tanned

⚙️

All Hardware

Brass, steel, nickel

🌊

After the Beach

Saltwater guide

BioThane® Waterproof Collar & Lead Care

The easiest material to care for. BioThane is fully waterproof and wipe-clean — just don't neglect the hardware.

💧 Waterproof · Wipe clean

🧼

How to Clean

Wipe with warm water and mild soap
Use a soft cloth or sponge for stubborn mud
Rinse hardware with fresh water after sea or river swimming

🌬️

Drying

Towel dry after washing
Leave to air dry naturally
Avoid leaving near radiators or heaters

🚫

What to Avoid

Washing machines and tumble dryers
Bleach, vinegar or harsh solvents
Sand left inside D-rings or snap hooks

💡

Good to Know

BioThane itself doesn't absorb water or odour. The material will outlast most dogs. The hardware is the vulnerable part — always rinse and dry after saltwater or heavy mud exposure.

✓ Machine wash safe at 30°C gentle, in a laundry bag

Paracord Collar & Lead Care

Tough, quick-drying and resilient. Paracord benefits from gentle cleaning but is forgiving in daily use.

🪢 Tough · Quick-dry

🧼

How to Clean

Best: Hand wash in warm water with mild soap
Scrub lightly with a soft brush
Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear
Or: Machine wash in a laundry bag, 30°C gentle

🌬️

Drying

Pat dry with a towel first
Air dry flat or hanging
Keep hardware facing up so water drains away from joints

🚫

What to Avoid

Very hot water — can distort fibres permanently
Radiators or tumble dryers
Fabric softeners (affect grip on adjusters)
Sharp edges — paracord cannot be repaired once cut

💡

Good to Know

Saltwater is fine — as long as you rinse off afterwards. Always dry hardware completely to prevent dulling. Paracord is rated to 550lbs breaking strain, so the cord itself will outlast most wear.

✓ Machine wash at 30°C gentle in a laundry bag — no fabric softener

PPM & Nylon Rope Lead Care

Lightweight, water-resistant and very low maintenance. The most common material for slip leads and custom rope leads.

🧵 Lightweight · Water-resistant

🧼

How to Clean

Hand wash with mild soap — best option
Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear
Machine wash is fine: laundry bag, 30°C gentle spin

🌬️

Drying

Towel dry to remove excess water
Air dry naturally — PPM dries very quickly
Nylon takes slightly longer — hang to speed it up

🚫

What to Avoid

High heat — can distort or melt rope fibres
Harsh bleach-based detergents
Leaving hardware wet in a bag after swimming

💡

Good to Know

PPM is naturally buoyant and absorbs very little water. Nylon absorbs slightly more but dries fast. Both materials are UV-stable and will hold colour well for years with basic care.

✓ Machine wash at 30°C gentle in a laundry bag

British Wool Collar Care

Naturally antimicrobial, breathable and beautifully textured. Wool needs slightly gentler handling than synthetic materials.

🐑 Sheep Shed Collection · Hand wash only

🧼

How to Clean

Hand wash only — always
Use cool or lukewarm water (never hot)
Add a small amount of wool wash or mild soap
Gently squeeze and work through the wool — do not wring or scrub

🌬️

Drying

Press gently in a towel to remove excess water
Lay flat to air dry — never hang while wet
Keep away from radiators and direct sunlight

🚫

What to Avoid

Hot water — will felt or permanently shrink wool
Machine washing — always hand wash
Rough scrubbing or abrasive cloths
Tumble dryers
Wringing or twisting

💡

Good to Know

British wool is naturally odour-resistant, so you won't need to wash it as often as synthetic materials. Let it dry fully after heavy rain before storing. Wool stays warm even when damp.

✗ Not machine washable — hand wash only in cool water

Cotton Rope Collar & Lead Care

Soft, natural and beautifully dyed — but more absorbent than synthetic rope. Allow plenty of drying time.

🌿 Cotton Mill Collection · Naturally dyed

🧼

How to Clean

Hand wash in cool or lukewarm water
Mild detergent only — no bleach or harsh chemicals
Spot clean individual marks where possible instead of full washing
Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear

🌬️

Drying

Gently towel dry to remove excess water
Hang or lay flat to air dry naturally
Allow full drying before storage to maintain shape

🚫

What to Avoid

Hot washes — cotton can shrink significantly
Machine washing
Long soaking — cotton absorbs a lot of water
Tumble drying

💡

Good to Know

Natural dyes can fade slightly over time — this is a characteristic of naturally dyed materials, not a defect. Always allow full drying before storing. Cotton is soft and comfortable but needs more care than synthetics.

Hand wash only in cool water — no machine wash

Premium Leather Care

Premium natural leather, vegetable-tanned and naturally finished. Ed sources the best hide available — Italian, French, British or bridle — chosen for quality above all else.

🟤 Ages beautifully · Condition regularly

🧼

How to Clean

Wipe with a damp cloth to remove dirt
A small amount of mild, unscented soap for stubborn marks
Remove mud and sand promptly — grit wears the surface over time

🌬️

Conditioning & Drying

If wet, towel dry then air dry naturally — never rush this
Condition every 2–3 months with a leather balm
Apply lightly and allow to fully absorb before use
Buff gently with a soft cloth

🚫

What to Avoid

Soaking in water — will damage the fibres
Saltwater — rinse leather and hardware immediately if exposed
Direct heat: radiators, fireplaces, tumble dryers
Heavy scrubbing or abrasive cleaners

💡

Good to Know

Leather will soften and develop a natural patina over time — this is not a defect, it's a sign of quality. Well-conditioned leather lasts a lifetime. A patina collar tells a story. Embrace it.

✗ Never machine wash leather — wipe clean only

Hardware Care — Brass, Steel, Nickel & Zinc

All hardware is load-tested before dispatch. It's built to last — but all metals need basic care, especially after water exposure.

⚙️ Load-tested · Backed for life

🧼

General Care

Dry hardware immediately after any water exposure
Rinse with fresh water after sea, river or lake swimming
Don't leave wet collars folded inside bags
Inspect D-rings and snaps periodically for wear

⭐

Brass (Gold)

Develops a natural warm patina over time. Can be polished back to bright gold if you prefer it shiny — a soft cloth and brass polish does the job. Will not rust.

🔩

Stainless Steel

The most corrosion-resistant option. Ideal for sea swimmers and water dogs. Rarely needs maintenance beyond a rinse and dry. Stays bright with minimal care.

💡

Nickel-Plated & Zinc

Nickel-plated brass gives a bright silver finish and is more tarnish-resistant than zinc alloy. Wipe dry after wet walks. Zinc alloy shows cosmetic wear sooner but remains structurally sound.

Hardware Promise: If your hardware fails within 2 months, I cover all costs. After 2 months, replacement hardware is available at cost price plus shipping — for life. Read the full policy →

🌊

After the beach or a river swim —
one rule above all others

Saltwater and river mud don't damage BioThane, rope or paracord — but they will dull and corrode hardware if not rinsed off promptly. A 30-second rinse under fresh water and a quick towel-dry after every wet walk extends the life of your piece significantly. It takes seconds and makes a genuine difference.

Know your materials

Hardware types at a glance

Brass

Solid Brass

Warm gold colour. Develops a natural patina with use. Will not rust. The most premium hardware option — used in our flagship collections. Load-tested before every dispatch.

Stainless Steel

Silver colour. Highly corrosion-resistant — best choice for dogs who swim regularly in the sea. Virtually maintenance-free. Stays bright with minimal care.

Nickel-Plated

Nickel-Plated Brass

Bright silver finish over brass. More tarnish-resistant than zinc alloy. Looks clean and sharp for longer. Wipe dry after wet walks to maintain the finish.

Zinc Alloy

Strong and cost-effective. Shows cosmetic surface wear sooner than brass or stainless steel, but remains structurally sound. Always dry thoroughly after washing.