Just like with our own bedding, dog beds need to be cleaned regularly to keep them fresh. But what’s the best way to do this, and does it depend on the materials used?
In this article, we’ll look at whether you can put dog beds in the washing machine, along with any other cleaning options.
Can You Put Dog Beds in the Washing Machine?
You can put most dog beds in the washing machine.
The only exceptions are beds that have leather and memory foam components, as these materials usually aren’t washing machine safe.
Of course, it’ll be best to check the bed’s care label if it has one.
Wash your dog beds in the washing machine on a cold cycle (30 degrees Celsius). If the bed has a removable cover, take that off and wash it, and simply vacuum the rest of the bed.
It probably goes without saying, but you should wash dog beds separately from the rest of your laundry.
If the bed doesn’t have a removable cover, you’ll need to reshape it after washing. As with pillows and other soft furnishings, the wadding can become misshapen during the wash cycle. It’s usually enough to flick the bed and then plump it up.
What’s the Best Way to Wash Dog Beds?
The best way to wash dog beds is in the washing machine. If that’s not an option, you have a few other methods to choose from.
Hand-washing a dog bed
Large dog beds might not fit in the washing machine. In that case, the best alternative is to wash them in the bath.
Run a bath of warm water and add some laundry detergent. Leave the bed to soak for an hour and then rinse in clean water. Wring out and hang to dry.
Cleaning a memory foam dog bed
Memory foam typically shouldn’t go in the washing machine. Ideally, it should have some kind of removable cover, so take that off and wash it.
As for the memory foam itself, start by cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner.
Once you’ve removed loose hairs and debris, sprinkle on some bicarbonate of soda and leave for a few hours before vacuuming off. This’ll help get rid of odours.
Finally, lightly spray the bed with a solution made from warm water with a small amount of laundry detergent.
Can You Wash a Dog Bed with Fabric Softener?
You should avoid using fabric softener on your dog’s bed. Some of the ingredients can be toxic to dogs, and while minor exposure through your clothes and bedding is often fine, there’s every chance they’ll lick their beds. Generally, you shouldn’t need to use it on a dog bed anyway.
Final Thoughts
However you decide to wash your dog beds, make sure you do it every couple of weeks. You don’t necessarily need to use any special products for it either; standard laundry detergent will be fine.
Regular cleaning with normal products is far more important than occasional cleaning with specialty detergents.
Jacob is a freelance writer based in Wales, where he lives with his partner and two dogs. All his work is fuelled by extensive research and buckets of coffee.
