Best Way to Deodorize a Dog Bed (Step by Step)

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The best way to deodorize dog bed fabric is to remove the loose hair first, wash the bed as hot as its label allows with a fragrance-free detergent, dry it completely, and treat any pet waste with an enzymatic cleaner if the smell remains. The sources we opened agree on the core steps: vacuum before washing, use a pet-friendly detergent, and let the bed dry fully. They disagree on a few details, such as whether to add vinegar and how hot to dry, and this guide shows those conflicts instead of picking one side silently. None of the sources reports a measured result, so read each step as the method the sources describe.

Quick answer

Vacuum the bed first, including the surface, crevices and sides, because hair clogs washing machines when it gets wet.
Wash in the hottest setting the care label allows, with a fragrance-free, pet-friendly detergent.
For a very dirty bed, the American Kennel Club suggests an empty cycle with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda afterward, but a humane society’s guidance warns against vinegar where a pet has marked an area.
For pet urine or feces odor that survives washing, the Humane Society recommends an enzymatic cleaner, because enzymes break down pet waste odors.
Let the bed dry completely before the dog uses it again, because a damp bed encourages mold and mildew.

Why a dog bed smells

A dog bed holds more than hair. AKC describes beds as havens for fur, fleas and undesirable germs, and notes that washing removes funky odors by clearing a buildup of coat oils, fur, odors, and grime. The smell is a mix of oil from the coat, dirt and whatever the dog has tracked onto the bed. Some odors come from accidents, and those need a different treatment from ordinary bed smell.

The sources also say that washing has limits. AKC notes that over time, washing might not vanquish ingrained dirt, stains and odors as well. A bed that still smells after a proper wash may be worn out, and the sources say that a new bed may be the answer in that case.

Step 1: Vacuum before any water touches the bed

Start by removing loose hair and dirt. AKC’s bed guide says to vacuum the surface, crevices and sides of the bed before and between washings. Its reason is simple: mixing dog hair with water causes it to clump up and clog the machine. PetMD makes a related point, that vacuuming minimizes hair and dirt but is not enough on its own to remove harmful microbes, so the vacuum is a first step rather than the whole job.

AKC’s guidance mentions a pet hair remover tool for this step. The sources do not name a specific attachment or model.

Step 2: Read the care label and shake out the loose fur

Check the care label before washing. AKC says how you wash a dog’s bed depends on its material, size, the manufacturer’s instructions and how dirty it is. PetMD says the same thing from a different angle: follow the directions indicated on the bed’s label, because washing instructions may differ depending on the type of fill or whether the bed has a removable cover.

For blankets and bedding that go with the bed, AKC’s guidance on hair removal says to shake them outdoors to remove loose fur before washing. This keeps the wash water clean and reduces the hair that goes into the machine.

Step 3: Wash hot with a fragrance-free detergent

Many dog beds can go in a washing machine, but the label decides. AKC notes that high-temperature programs can kill germs and parasites and provide a deep clean. PetMD’s expert quote says that bedding should be laundered at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit using detergent and chlorine bleach, if the fabric can stand it. Use the hottest setting the label allows.

Choose a fragrance-free, pet-friendly detergent. AKC recommends using a fragrance-free, pet-friendly detergent, and PetMD suggests a natural detergent with an extra rinse cycle for pets with sensitive skin. If the cover will not go in the machine, or the foam core is too bulky, the sources point to hand washing. AKC says that beds or materials that cannot go into the machine can be washed with warm, soapy water, for example in a bathtub. Empty the water, rinse until the soap is gone, and disinfect the tub afterward. AKC also advises against washing pet beds in sinks, because this can spread germs to the area where food is prepared.

Step 4: Consider the odor helpers, with a warning

Several home remedies are common, and the sources do not agree on them. The Humane Society’s guidance on pet odors says to add a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent, wash as usual and air dry if possible. AKC’s bed guide suggests a different approach for a very dirty bed: after the wash, run an empty cycle with one or two cups of white vinegar and half a cup of bicarbonate of soda in the dispenser. AKC says this is to remove lingering odors.

The Humane Society warns against using ammonia or vinegar as a cleaner in areas where a pet has urinated, because strong chemical odors may encourage the pet to reinforce the urine scent mark. That warning concerns a spot on a floor or furniture rather than the washing machine cycle, and the sources do not say whether the same caution applies to a bed. Where a bed has been marked, read both sources and choose the less strong option until you know the bed’s fabric and history.

PetMD’s expert quote also suggests the chlorine bleach option in the hottest wash where the fabric allows. The other sources do not recommend bleach for a bed, so the bleach step is optional and depends on the label.

Step 5: Treat pet waste odor with an enzymatic cleaner

Pet waste odors need a different tool. The Humane Society’s guidance says that if you can still see or smell the soiling after washing, wash again with an enzymatic cleaner, because these break down pet waste odors. This is the step to use when a bed has been soiled by urine or feces and the smell remains after a normal wash.

Keep the enzymatic cleaner for the spots that need it. The sources do not say how much to use or how long to leave it on the fabric, so follow the product label for those details.

Step 6: Dry the bed completely

Drying is where many beds go wrong. AKC says air drying is usually best, because some bed fillings can clump in the dryer. It also says to wait until thick, fiber-filled beds are fully dry before allowing the dog to snuggle back into them, and that a damp bed encourages mold and mildew formation.

PetMD takes a different view on heat. Its guidance says to dry the pet’s bed at the highest possible temperature setting, being careful to hang-dry fill or matting so that the bed does not clump. That is a conflict with AKC’s preference for air drying, and it should be resolved by the bed’s label and the bed’s filling. A bed with foam or a thick filling may need air drying, while a removable washable cover may tolerate a dryer.

Whatever the method, the test is the same. The bed should be fully dry all the way through before the dog uses it. A bed that is still damp in the center can smell worse as it sits.

Step 7: Clean the washing machine after the bed

A washing machine that washed hair and odor also needs cleaning. AKC’s guidance says that after the program is complete, you should check the filter and wipe the rubber seal to remove any debris or hair. This step keeps the next load from picking up the smell from the last one.

The sources do not give a fixed schedule for cleaning the machine, so check the machine’s manual for the filter and seal.

How often to wash the bed

The sources give different schedules. PetMD quotes an expert who suggests washing a dog’s bed once a week or once every two weeks at a minimum. The same guidance says that if a dog sheds heavily, has allergies, spends time outdoors or has a high activity level, the number of washings may need to increase to twice a week.

AKC cites a study whose authors recommend washing a dog’s bedding weekly to reduce the risk of spreading parasites or zoonoses. The Humane Society does not give a schedule in the page we opened. For a bed that smells, a weekly wash is the schedule the sources support most directly, and more often if the dog sheds or spends time outdoors.

How we chose

This guide is built only from the four pages in the source list at the end. We opened AKC’s guide on how to clean a dog bed, the Humane Society’s guide to pet stains and odors, PetMD’s guide to washing a dog bed, and AKC’s guide to removing dog hair, which has a section on bedding. We read the sections on vacuuming, washing, odor, drying and schedules, and kept only the steps those sections state. Where the sources disagree, we say so.

Common mistakes

Washing before vacuuming. AKC’s guidance is that hair mixed with water clumps and clogs the machine, so vacuum first.
Ignoring the care label. The label decides the temperature and whether the cover can go in the machine. AKC and PetMD both say to follow it.
Using vinegar on a marked bed without reading the warning. The Humane Society warns against vinegar where a pet has marked an area, while AKC suggests vinegar in an empty cycle for very dirty beds.
Drying a damp bed. AKC says a damp bed encourages mold and mildew, and that thick, fiber-filled beds should be fully dry before the dog uses them.
Using heat on a bed that clumps. AKC says some fillings clump in the dryer. PetMD suggests the highest setting while hanging fill to avoid clumping, so check the filling first.
Washing a bed in the kitchen sink. AKC advises against it, because it can spread germs to the food preparation area.
Expecting a wash to fix an old bed. AKC says washing might not remove ingrained dirt, stains and odors fully.

What we could not verify

The sources do not report a measured result for any odor step, so this guide cannot say how much any method reduces smell.
They do not agree on vinegar. AKC uses it in an empty cycle for very dirty beds, while the Humane Society warns against it where a pet has marked an area. We could not resolve this from the pages we opened.
They do not agree on drying heat. AKC favors air drying, while PetMD suggests the highest possible setting with care for the filling.
They do not say how long to leave an enzymatic cleaner on fabric, or whether a particular enzymatic product is suitable for a bed.
They do not say whether a bed that smells of illness, rather than dirt or waste, needs a veterinary check. This guide does not give medical advice.
They do not give a baking soda contact time for the bed surface, so the sources do not support a specific sprinkle-and-wait method.

FAQ

How do I get a dog smell out of a bed without washing it?

The sources we opened focus on washing, not on surface treatments. AKC’s first step is to vacuum the surface, crevices and sides of the bed, which removes hair and dirt. For odors that remain, the sources point to washing, and they do not describe a no-wash method that is supported by a measured result.

Can I put a dog bed in the dryer?

It depends on the filling and the label. AKC says air drying is usually best because some fillings clump in a dryer. PetMD suggests the highest possible temperature while taking care to hang-dry the filling so it does not clump. Check the label and the filling before you choose.

How hot should I wash a dog bed?

AKC says high-temperature programs can kill germs and parasites and provide a deep clean. PetMD’s expert quote gives at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, using detergent and chlorine bleach if the fabric can stand it.

Should I use vinegar when washing a dog bed?

AKC suggests one or two cups of white vinegar in an empty cycle after washing a very dirty bed. The Humane Society warns against vinegar as a cleaner where a pet has marked an area, so the two sources differ. Read the label and the bed’s history before you decide.

What about pet urine or feces on a dog bed?

If the smell remains after washing, the Humane Society recommends an enzymatic cleaner, because enzymes break down pet waste odors. The sources do not say how long to leave it on the fabric, so follow the product label.

How often should I wash my dog’s bed?

PetMD quotes an expert who suggests once a week or once every two weeks at a minimum, and twice a week if a dog sheds heavily, has allergies or spends time outdoors. AKC cites a study whose authors recommend washing a dog’s bedding weekly.

Bottom line

Vacuum the bed, wash it as hot as its label allows with a fragrance-free detergent, dry it completely and use an enzymatic cleaner for waste odors that survive washing. Wash every week when the dog sheds or spends time outdoors. Where the sources disagree on vinegar and dryer heat, follow the bed’s label and the bed’s filling.

Sources

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/how-to-clean-a-dog-bed/
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-remove-pet-stains-and-odors
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_guide-to-washing-dog-bed
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/how-to-remove-dog-hair/

Best Way to Deodorize a Dog Bed: Vacuum, Wash Hot, Dry Fully