If you're like most dog owners, you're probably wondering how to wash a dog bed without ruining the stuffing, right? You're not alone!
There are many pet owners out there who have been in the same situation as you. Your dog's bed can become real funky smelling fast, but the problem is, they are just so darn hard to clean because of their size and thickness.
Well, worry no more because, in this blog post, we will tell you how to wash your dog bed efficiently and easily!
Let's dive in...
Why You Need to Wash Your Dog's Bed
I know your dog doesn't seem to mind sleeping in his dirty bed, but it's really important to maintain a clean and healthy sleeping area for him. Here's why:
Protect Their Health
Dirty dog beds can cause skin irritations, infections, flea infestations, allergies, or even kidney failure in dogs.
There is also a high risk of ear mites and other parasites being spread from one dog or another when they sleep on a dirty bed surface.
Some people choose not to wash their dog's bed because it takes too much time, but dog beds need cleaning often because dirt and bacteria can get into the fibers of material over time, and these bacteria can live on your dog's bed for up to 12 months!
These pesky bacteria pose the risk of making you or your beautiful pup sick. Even flea eggs, intestinal parasites like tapeworms, and fungal spores that cause ringworm can end up living on your dog's bed.
But don't worry, we're here to show you how easy it is to keep them clean and healthy with our hand instructions below.
Eliminate Odors
We all know that our canine companions can have an odor. It's not just the occasional "doggy smell" but rather a pervasive, lingering aroma in your home and on you.
When guests begin noticing the smell, you know there is major work ahead of you! By cleaning their beds regularly using the tips below, you'll be able to keep them from any future "puppy stink".
Cleaning Ingredients You'll Need for Washing Your Dog Bed
- "Pet-safe" detergent
- "Skin-safe" spot stain remover
- Vacuum cleaner
- Lint Roller
- Washing Machine
- Hot Water
How to Wash a Dog Bed With Removable Covers
When you want to maintain a clean and fresh-smelling dog bed, we highly recommend getting one with a removable and washable cover.
Getting a bed with a removable and washable cover allows for much easier and faster cleaning without ruining the stuffing (we don't want our pups sleeping on a lumpy bed now do we!).
Here are a few tips on how to clean the removable covers:
Start by Removing Excess Hair and Crumbs
Firstly, before washing your bed cover, you'll want to make sure you remove the majority (if not all, if possible) of any excess hair and or crumbs left on the bed cover.
You can use a vacuum and lint roller to get the majority of the debris off the cover.
Put Your Dogs Bed in the Washing Machine
Start by unzipping the removable cover from your pet's bed and putting it into a washing machine.
Make sure to wash any clothes you own separately because they will start smelling like dogs, too!
Use "Pet Safe" Detergents
The last thing you want to do is hurt or harm your doggo, so it is important to make sure you only use "pet safe" detergents to avoid your dog getting any sort of skin reaction or irritation.
Put It in the Dryer
To make your dog cover come out of the wash looking new and bright, you must get it dry. The best way to do this is by tossing it into the dryer on low or medium heat for half an hour.
Clean the Remaining Bed
Don't forget to also get rid of all the nasty stuff like excess hair, crumbs, and dust from the bed case before you put the bed back in. If you don't, you'll start smelling the infamous "doggy smell" sooner than you'd like.
Wipe Off the Fabric
Afterward, in order to make sure everything is clean and safe for your pup's sensitive paws, use a pet-safe cleaner like this enzymatic formula (which will break down any lingering odors) to wipe off the fabric before putting it back on its frame!
Do not forget that beds are always more comfortable after they're completely dry--so be patient while waiting for them to air out.
How to Wash Dog Beds Without Removable Covers
If your dog bed doesn’t have a removable cover, it’s going to take a little more effort on your part to get it nice and clean, but here are a few tips for cleaning a dog bed:
Clean the Bed Case
Firstly, make sure to clean out any crumbs, hairs, or any other debris from the bed or dog crate. You can use a vacuum for this. Once the bed case is clean, wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry.
Fill up Your Bathtub
Next, fill up your bathtub with warm water and a “pet-safe” detergent, and fully submerge the bed in the water.
Some "pet-safe" detergents have some beautiful smells and will make the covers smell out-of-this-world.
Remove Any Stains
Dogs are notoriously messy so it makes sense that their bed would be a complete mess as well. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem!
Simply grab your trusty scrub brush and some skin-safe spot stain remover and the stains will disappear from your dog bed in no time flat.
Wring Out Excess Water
When the bed is clean and free from stains and dirt, finish up by wringing out any excess water to help the dryer phase.
Reshape (if Needed)
Before drying, if the bed has lost its shape, spend some time getting it back to how it was to ensure maximum comfort for your dog. They don’t want to sleep on a lumpy bed, do they!
Let It Air Dry
Set the bed out in the sun to let it air dry fully.
Please be aware though, if your dog bed does not have removable covers, you stand the chance of the bed becoming misshaping beyond repair. Once the stuffing becomes wet, it becomes very difficult to get back to its original shape, leading to a very uncomfortable night's rest for your dog.
Now that we've covered how to give a dog bed a general wash, let's talk about how to properly wash away a dog bed with urine and other stains.
There are many ways of doing this, which include:
- Sport cleaning the stain(s)
- Using water and dish soap (or laundry detergent), as well as
- Pure Vinegar for tough stains or
- baking soda if you have any allergies in your house that may be aggravated by some cleaners.
Nowadays there are several options when trying to wash away stubborn pee stains from dog beds, but let us give you our preferred method:
- For light stains that only need a little more attention than general dirt, using a "pet-safe" detergent to spot wash will be your best option. You can use a towel or any slightly abrasive material to rub the detergent into the stain, ensuring you use small circular motions until the stains have gone.
- For heavier stains that need more treatment like urine and feces, fill your bath up with warm water and "pet-safe" detergent and let it soak for an hour or two. Then, grab your trusty scrub brush and give the cover a good ol' rub down, ensuring you use circular motions. You can even add vinegar to your bath water for extra tough stains.
Please remember to stay away from using any products there are not "pet-safe". If you do, you could end up causing serious harm to your dog's skin.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dog's Bed?
While this all depends on how often your pup goes potty indoors (the more he does so, the sooner it'll need cleaning), we recommend cleaning it frequently!
Ideally, you should wash your pet's bed every week or two. However, if you have an active dog who likes to get a little messy, you may need to clean it a couple of times a week.
Remember that these bacteria can live for up-to-12 months without ever being removed!
Ultimately, if you can sense the bed is getting a little mucky, there's a strong odor coming from it, or worse -- there are some rather dirty-looking stains, it's time for a good wash.
Despite what you may think, your pup will thank you for it!
What Are the Best Dog Beds for Easy Cleaning?
At Bully Beds, if you want a bed that's easy to clean, and more importantly, stays cleaner for longer, we highly recommend choosing dog beds that are both waterproof and washable.
Here's why...
As you have seen from the tips above, cleaning a bed with a non-removable cover is difficult at best and can ultimately ruin the bed completely.
Our dog beds that are washable are easier to clean, and they last longer which means you won't have to keep replacing the beds ruined in the wash!
Our Waterproof and Washable Dog Beds
To help you make the right decision, here is a list of the top beds we recommend on Bullybeds.com, all washable and waterproof:
Bully Bed Orthopedic, Washable & Waterproof Big Dog Beds
A perfect bed for Great Danes, Mastiffs, and other large breed dogs, the Original Bully Beds are designed for orthopedic joint and hip support to reduce discomfort.
Each Original Bully Bed has a washable and removable microfiber cover, a free breathable internal waterproof cover ($75 value), and a heavy-duty zipper with a cover to prevent chewing.
Chew Resistant Dog Bed With 200 Day Guarantee
We make dog beds for chewers because we know how annoying it can be to keep buying new ones after your dog chewed up his last. That's why we take great pride in building durable dog beds that actually last.
Our Chew Resistant Dog Bed is made from certified safe, high-quality memory foam and features an easy-to-remove machine washable cover.
Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed
This bed is perfect to dogs who like to spread out or share with their furry friends. With a bolster that runs half the width of the bed, it's ideal for dogs that like something to curl up against.
This bed is super durable, yet ultra-comfy because of its soft, sherpa top and heavy-duty fabric.
Best of all, it's completely waterproof and washable too!
Orthopedic 3 Sided Bolster Bed
Designed just like our standard orthopedic Bully Bed, but with bolsters on 3 sides for pups that like to lean against an edge or have something secure against their back or sides.
This bed comes with a washable and removable microfiber cover and a water-resistant out cover.
Infrared Dog Bed - Orthopedic, Washable and Waterproof
Our infrared dog bed is the first and only dog bed that has FDA medical device certification.
It's beneficial for your dog's hips, joints, elbows, and whole body because of its thermal insulation that helps your dog not only maintain his natural body temperature, but also promotes dilation of blood vessels which boosts recovery and healing.
Choosing the Best Dog Bed
For more advice on how to wash a dog bed or choosing the best dog bed for you, check out our website or visit the links above to see our entire range of orthopedic, washable, and waterproof beds.
We want to make sure that both you and your beautiful pup get the best bed possible because a happier pup means a happier you!
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
