This is how to wash a dog bed: read the care label, remove the cover, remove the hair, wash at the permitted temperature with a mild detergent and let everything dry completely. Whatever the label does not allow, you leave out.
The bed is where your dog spends a large part of the day, and he smells every centimetre of it. A few steps are enough to keep it clean without anything shrinking or losing its shape.
First check: care label and cover
Before anything goes into the machine, look at two things. First: what does the care label or the product description say? Washing temperature, tumble dryer yes or no, this differs by material and manufacturer. With us, the care information is in the product description of each bed. Second: can the cover be removed? A zip is a good sign. Filling and foam core are often not meant for the machine unless the manufacturer expressly allows it.
Step by step
- Remove hair and loose dirt. Shake out, vacuum or brush the bed. Otherwise the fur ends up in the lint filter and the drain instead of the bin.
- Close fastenings. Zips and hook-and-loop straps shut, so nothing snags or damages other laundry.
- Choose the temperature by the label. Not hotter, even if that feels like more hygiene. It is best to wash the cover on its own, then it is rinsed evenly.
- Mild detergent, not much of it. It is better to skip fabric softener: dogs smell far more than we do, and residues stay in the fabric your dog lies on for hours. An extra rinse cycle can make sense.
- Dry completely. Tumble dryer only if the label allows it, otherwise air dry. Filling and seams must dry through completely, because material stored damp quickly starts to smell.
| Part | What to do |
|---|---|
| Removable cover | machine wash as stated on the care label |
| Filling or foam core | only wash if the manufacturer allows it, otherwise vacuum, air out and treat stains with a damp cloth |
| Bed without a removable cover | read the manufacturer's instructions, until then vacuum and treat stains by hand |
| Blanket in the bed | like the cover: read the label, then wash. A blanket on top keeps the bed clean for longer because you can wash it more often |
How often?
There is no fixed rule. As a rough guide: wash the cover every few weeks, and straight away when something has happened, for example after a muddy walk, with wet fur, after diarrhoea or when the bed smells. In between, vacuuming is enough. If your vet recommends washing more often because of skin or parasite problems, that comes first.
When the bed smells even though it is clean
Then it is sometimes not the bed. Take a look at ears, paws and coat, the three spots that get neglected after a walk. With a strong smell, itching or skin changes, your dog belongs at the vet, not in the wash programme.
And if a new bed is due?
Then it is worth looking at the size: how to measure for the right dog bed. For older dogs or large breeds, Orthopaedic dog bed: when is it worth it? explains what matters. Everything about size, material and support is in the dog bed guide, the selection in the Sleep & Cuddle collection.