How to Care for BioThane

Waterproof. Stinkproof. Durable. Built for real-life adventure.

BioThane is a durable coated webbing commonly used for dog collars, leashes, harnesses, and outdoor gear. It is designed to be waterproof, easy to clean, and much lower maintenance than traditional nylon or leather.

At Backwoods Dog, we use authentic Beta 520 BioThane for our waterproof dog gear. It is a strong, flexible material that stands up beautifully to everyday outdoor use, including rain, snow, mud, dirt, and wet adventures.

But like all dog gear, BioThane is not indestructible. Proper care, cleaning, and realistic use expectations will help extend the life of your gear and keep it looking and performing its best.

What Makes BioThane Great?

BioThane is a favourite for active dogs because it is:

Waterproof

It does not absorb water like nylon or leather, making it ideal for wet weather, muddy trails, snow, rain, and lake days.

Easy to clean

Most dirt and mud can be wiped away with a damp cloth or rinsed off with water.

Stink-resistant

Because it does not absorb moisture the same way fabric webbing does, BioThane is much less likely to hold onto that “wet dog gear” smell.

Durable for daily use

BioThane is strong, flexible, and designed to withstand regular wear from walking, hiking, training, and outdoor adventures.

Low maintenance

Unlike leather, BioThane does not require conditioning and is easy to clean after messy outings.

What Waterproof Means

When we say BioThane is waterproof, we mean the material itself does not absorb water like nylon, rope, or leather. It can be rinsed clean after exposure to mud, rain, snow, or lake water and will not stay soggy or develop the same mildew smell as traditional fabric gear.

However, waterproof does not mean damage-proof.

BioThane is designed to stand up to weather, dirt, mud, snow, water, and regular leash pressure from your dog. It is not guaranteed to withstand chewing, dragging, sharp abrasion, dog-on-dog rough play, harsh chemicals, or improper care.

A good way to think of it is this:

BioThane is durable outdoor gear, not indestructible gear.

What BioThane Is Not

BioThane is strong and long-lasting, but it is not:

• Chew-proof
  
• Drag-proof
  
• Scratch-proof
  
• Bite-proof
  
• Cut-proof
  
• Immune to rough play between dogs
  
• Immune to harsh cleaners or solvents
  
• Immune to topical flea/tick treatments or bug sprays
  
• Guaranteed to stay cosmetically perfect with daily outdoor use
  

Scratches, scuffs, small marks, and cosmetic blemishes can happen over time, especially with active dogs and rugged use.

Dragging leashes on pavement, gravel, rock, ice, or rough terrain may cause scratches or wear. Dogs chewing or mouthing the material can puncture or damage the coating. Rough play with other dogs may also cause bite marks, scratches, or stress on the material and hardware.

Routine Cleaning

For everyday cleaning, BioThane is very simple to care for.

After muddy, wet, or dirty adventures:

1. Wipe the BioThane with a damp cloth.
   
2. Rinse with warm water if needed.
   
3. Use mild soap for heavier dirt.
   
4. Gently scrub with a soft cloth or soft brush.
   
5. Rinse thoroughly.
   
6. Allow the gear to air dry completely before storing.
   

For most regular use, warm water and mild dish soap are enough.

Deep Cleaning

For heavier soiling, you can soak the BioThane in warm, soapy water for a short period of time.

After soaking:

1. Gently scrub with a soft cloth or soft brush.
   
2. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
   
3. Wipe dry with a towel.
   
4. Allow to fully air dry before storing.
   

Avoid using abrasive scrubbers, stiff wire brushes, or anything that may scratch or damage the coating.

What to Avoid

To protect the material and extend the life of your gear, avoid contact with:

• Bleach
  
• Harsh household cleaners
  
• Solvents
  
• Alcohol-based cleaners
  
• Strong disinfectants
  
• Abrasive cleaning pads
  
• Bug spray
  
• DEET-based products
  
• Topical flea and tick treatments
  
• Strong deodorizing sprays
  
• Oils or chemical-based coat products
  
• Prolonged storage while dirty or damp
  
• Excessive direct heat while drying
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight
  

If your dog uses a topical flea or tick treatment, allow the treatment to fully dry before putting their collar or harness back on. Avoid applying treatments directly where collars, harnesses, or leash attachments sit.

Harsh chemicals and topical treatments may react with the BioThane coating and can contribute to staining, hardening, softening, cracking, or breakdown of the material over time.

Cracking, Hardening & Coat Oils

BioThane is waterproof, and cracking is not caused by normal exposure to rain, snow, mud, or water.

In some cases, however, BioThane may harden or develop cracking over time due to reactions between the material and substances it is exposed to. This can include natural oils from a dog’s coat and skin, grooming products, flea/tick treatments, bug sprays, harsh cleaners, or other chemicals.

Every dog is different. Natural coat oils, skin pH, grooming routines, and environmental exposure can vary from dog to dog. Because of this, some gear may show wear differently depending on the individual dog and how the gear is used and maintained.

Regular cleaning can help reduce buildup from dirt, oils, and residue and may help extend the life of your gear.

If you notice the material becoming unusually stiff, dry, brittle, or cracked, discontinue use and inspect the item carefully before using it again.

Daily Wear & Cosmetic Marks

BioThane is made for real life, and real life with dogs can be messy.

Over time, you may notice:

• Light scratches
  
• Scuffs
  
• Small surface marks
  
• Dirt staining
  
• Hardware marks
  
• Bite or tooth impressions
  
• Wear near high-contact areas
  

These cosmetic signs of use are normal and do not always affect the function of the gear.

Areas that may show wear sooner include spots near buckles, leash clips, adjustment points, D-rings, traffic handles, or anywhere the material rubs against hardware, surfaces, or the dog’s body.

Chewing, Dragging & Rough Play

BioThane is durable, but it is not chew-proof.

If your dog chews, mouths, or bites their collar, leash, harness, or long line, the coating can become punctured or damaged. Once the coating is compromised, the material may wear faster.

Dragging leashes or long lines across rough surfaces can also cause abrasion. This is especially common with drag lines, long lines, tie-outs, or leashes used on gravel, pavement, rock, ice, or rough terrain.

For safety, always inspect your gear after chewing, rough play, or heavy outdoor use.

Do not continue using gear that has deep cuts, punctures, severe cracking, damaged hardware, or compromised stitching/rivets.

Drying & Storage

After cleaning or wet use, allow your gear to air dry completely before storing.

Store BioThane gear in a cool, dry place when not in use. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight for long periods, near high heat, or while it is still dirty or damp.

Avoid folding or sharply creasing BioThane for long periods of time, as this may create kinks or stress points in the material.

For best results, hang collars, leashes, harnesses, and long lines when not in use.

Hardware Care

Hardware requires separate care from the BioThane material.

Brass, stainless steel, and coated hardware can each wear differently over time. Brass naturally develops a patina and may cause some staining or transfer, especially on lighter BioThane colours or light-coloured fur. Stainless steel is our lowest-maintenance option, especially for wet, muddy, salty, or frequent water use.

For more information on cleaning and caring for your hardware, please read our full Hardware Care Guide.

When to Replace Your Gear

Please inspect your dog’s gear regularly, especially if your dog is strong, reactive, uses a tie-out, plays rough, swims often, hikes in rugged terrain, or wears their gear daily.

Replace your gear if you notice:

• Deep cracks
  
• Severe hardening or brittleness
  
• Deep cuts or punctures
  
• Chewed areas
  
• Damaged buckles
  
• Bent or weakened hardware
  
• Loose rivets
  
• Any damage that could affect safety
  

When in doubt, discontinue use and contact us with photos so we can take a closer look.

Warranty & Quality Concerns

Our gear is built for outdoor dogs and everyday adventure, but normal wear and tear, chewing, dragging, abrasion, harsh chemical exposure, flea/tick treatment exposure, coat oil buildup, and cosmetic staining are not considered manufacturing defects.

If you believe your item has a quality issue beyond normal daily wear and tear, please review our Warranty Policy and contact us with clear photos of the issue.

We are always happy to take a closer look and help determine the best next step.

Contact: backwoodsdogstore@gmail.com

Final Care Tips

To keep your BioThane gear in the best condition possible:

• Wipe down gear regularly.
• Clean after muddy, sandy, salty, or wet adventures.
• Avoid harsh cleaners and chemical exposure.
• Let flea/tick treatments fully dry before use.
• Inspect gear often.
• Store dry and out of extreme heat.
• Replace damaged gear when needed.