One of my worst childhood memories was returning home from vacation to find our house had been infested with fleas. We had been gone for a couple of weeks in the summer, and the infestation was unaccountable. My family had a dog, but she was an outside dog, making the invasion even more perplexing. This past summer, that nightmare was revisited. It was a particularly bad year for fleas, at least in my area, and I had a very bad tendency to come in from walking my dog and sitting down on my own bed to take off my shoes and walking clothes. I would wake in the morning to find myself itchy, and it wasn’t long before I discovered I’d been bringing fleas and other tiny, biting insects in from my dog walks. I got in the habit of removing my outer garments, shoes, and socks before entering the house, and I had to completely disinfect my room and wash my own bedding frequently for the rest of the summer. Those of you who live in heavily wooded areas or have dog beds inside the home may have similar experiences, making the question of how to clean a dog bed of critical importance.
Not only will you be sparing your dog any unnecessary torment, but the skin you keep safe may be your own! As we know, most dogs are not so delicate or discriminating as we are about how they interact with the world. They are adventurous and curious animals who will step anywhere and stick their noses in anything. Shake as much as they will before entering the house, dogs also unwittingly track in dirt on their paws and unknowingly invite insects and allergens in their hair or on their skin. Bathing your dog is all good and well, but they spend a great deal of time in their various beds and nesting spots where the things they bring in can stay behind. You don’t have to let them linger! Whether your dog sleeps inside or outside, it’s important to know how to clean a dog bed as well. How to wash a dog bed should be a primary consideration when you are selecting from the range of commercially available dog beds at your local pet or department store. Check the tags on dog beds to see whether the recommended method of cleaning is feasible and practical for you, your home, and the time you have for cleaning.
All too often, people buy a dog bed on impulse because it is cute or it fits with their home decor. When the dog urinates all over it a few nights later, they find, to their cost, that the bed itself or the insert is soaked and is either not compatible with their washing machine or not recommended for their dryer. There are, naturally, as many different kinds of dog beds as there are different kinds of dogs. My own dog sleeps outside, and, depending on the time of year, has between one and three quilts that she carefully arranges each night to nestle among. No matter what kind of bedding your dog uses, if you are time-conscious and prefer to machine wash, it is critical to select an appropriate disinfectant solution or detergent. Once a month or so, I will put each quilt into the washing machine and then into the dryer, making sure to use detergent that is dog-friendly. After all, without opposable thumbs, Tina drags her quilts around in her mouth, and many cleaning products may contain chemicals harmful to her.
In the brighter and warmer months, I’ll wash and then air-dry them. Ventilation and sun exposure are key for air-drying. Techniques for how to wash a dog bed are as varied as the bedding materials themselves. The process of cleaning a dog bed can be as simple or as time-consuming as you want it to be. If the bed is a one-piece item and is too large for machine washing, take care to vacuum it first, then go over it with a lint roller or duct tape, particularly on the areas the dog has most frequent contact with. This will remove as much hair and as many particulates, dander, allergens, and potential insect eggs as possible before washing. Wash it thoroughly in hot water with a dog-safe detergent or disinfectant solution before airing it dry. Beds with outer zip covers and foam inserts present their own challenges. If you select a dog bed with an outer cover, you may want to enclose the insert, particularly if it is foam, in a bin-liner or large trash bag to prevent outside agents or stray urine from reaching the insert in the first place.
If you’re not so fastidious, machine wash and dry the cover once a month, and vacuum it between washings. Soak and rinse foam inserts in your bathtub or shower in hot or warm water and allow it to completely air dry before restoring the cover. Ring out foam inserts many times before drying to ensure that mold and mildew do not take root. Since dogs have a number of bedding options, we ask you, the Dogster faithful, to share your techniques for washing, cleaning, and maintaining a dog’s bed! What kinds of beds do your dogs use? What kinds are the easiest to clean? What are your approaches and methods? What are your favored cleaning products? Let us know in the comments! Learn more about dogs with Dogster: Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 15% offSelect Furniture by Christopher Knight*RugsUp to 70% offSelect Area Rugs by Safavieh*DécorUp to 50% offSelect Curtains by Exclusive Fabrics*Bed & BathSave onSelect Bedding & Bath by Laura Ashley & MoreHome ImprovementShopHome ImprovementKitchenShop AppliancesOutdoorUp to 50% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Portfolio*JewelryUp to 50% offSelect Auriya Jewelry*WatchesUp to 50% off Featured Branded Watches*Shop WatchesWomenUp to Extra 15% offClothing
, Shoes & Accessories*MenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*Kids & BabyExtra 10% offKids Furniture*MoreExtra 10% offPet Supplies* How to Clean a Large Dog Bed The biggest pups need a comfortable large dog bed to accommodate their size when nap time rolls around. Large dog beds can be cumbersome, however, especially when you need to clean them. Whether you're cleaning off fur and muddy paw prints or deep urine stains, properly cleaning pet beds can keep you and your furry friend happy and healthy. Cleaning Large Dog Beds: Shop Dog Beds ▸ Vacuum the cover:Make sure you get as much pet hair as possible off the dog bed before washing. Pet hair will stick to the wet fabric in the washing machine, so removing it before hand will help you get a cleaner pet bed. Use your vacuum hose and an upholstery attachment. Focus primarily on the sleeping surface, but make sure to remove dust and fur from the entire cover. You can also vacuum the bed between washings to keep it cleaner longer.
Remove the cover:Most large dog beds have removable covers to make washing easier. Remove the cover completely. If the pet bed cover is not removable, check the washing instructions and see if you can wash the entire large pet bed in the washing machine; a large machine-washable dog bed may need to be taken to the laundromat to be washed in the high-capacity washers. Use stain remover:If the dog bed has any stains, simply washing it may not effectively remove all the stains from the dog bed cover. If there are urine or feces stains, mud, or other deep stains, spray the bed with a stain remover before washing. This will help remove any stains left by your pet. Wash the bed:Load the dog bed cover or the entire bed into a front-load washing machine and wash it in hot water to kill any insects and eggs that may be on the bed. Dogs are sensitive to chemicals, so use a mild detergent to prevent irritation. If your large dog bed cannot be washed in a washing machine, you can hand wash it in a bathtub using hot water and mild detergent.