How to Wash a Dog Bed at Home Without Damaging It
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How to wash a dog bed comes down to one habit: read the care label first, then match the method to the bed. Strip off loose hair, treat stains, wash the cover in the machine if the label allows it, and dry everything completely before your dog goes back to sleep on it. Foam cores usually cannot go in a washing machine at all. This guide walks through each step in order, explains where the advice differs, and shows what a few bed listings say about their own covers and liners.
Quick answer
- Check the care label or listing first; improper cleaning can damage a bed.
- Shake out debris and vacuum the surface, folds and seams, then remove hair before the wash.
- Wash covers at the hottest temperature the fabric allows; a veterinarian quoted by Whole Dog Journal suggests at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit if the fabric can stand it.
- Do not machine wash foam inserts unless the maker says you can, and dry every part completely.
Step 1: Read the label and the listing
The care label, or the product page if the label is gone, tells you what the bed is made of and how the maker wants it cleaned. Whole Dog Journal begins with this step and says improper cleaning can damage a bed. The label decides whether the cover is machine washable, whether it must be hand washed, and whether the filling can be wet at all. If the label says spot clean only, follow it and do not put the bed in a washing machine.
Product listings are a useful backup. For example, the KOPEKS orthopedic bed listing says its plush suede zippered cover is machine washable on a delicate cycle with cold or warm water, and that the bed has a waterproof inner liner. The listing for the foam itself is 5.5 inches of memory foam with a 3 inch headrest, and the foam is not described as washable. That is a common setup: the cover goes in the washer and the foam does not.
Step 2: Remove hair and loose dirt
Loose hair and grit are the first things to deal with, because they clog drains and coat the inside of the drum. Whole Dog Journal suggests shaking out large debris, then vacuuming the flat surface with a dusting attachment and the folds and stitching with a crevice attachment. Stubborn dirt can be scrubbed with a toothbrush or a damp cloth, and a lint roller or adhesive tape removes hair before the wash.
Do this outdoors or over a sheet if you can. A bed that has not been cleaned for a while may release a surprising amount of fur and dust when you shake it.
Step 3: Treat stains before washing
Pre-treating stains helps the wash work. The source suggests the following home mixtures, and you should check that your fabric can take them:
- Urine: a solution of baking soda, vinegar and water. Let it sit, then vacuum.
- Fresh blood: soak in cold or warm water.
- Dried blood: cold water with baking soda and white vinegar for about 30 minutes, then blot.
- Feces: scrub with equal parts cold water and distilled white vinegar, sprinkle baking soda on it overnight, then vacuum.
The same source recommends soap and water or a non-bleach spot treatment first. If you need a stronger product, choose a non-toxic, pet-safe cleaner without bleach or chlorine, and rinse thoroughly. If a stain or smell keeps coming back, or your dog has accidents on the bed often, mention it to your vet, because that can be a health matter and not just a laundry problem.
Step 4: Choose the water temperature
This is the point where sources disagree, and it is where the care label wins. Whole Dog Journal quotes veterinarian Dr. Athena Gaffud as advising a wash at at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, if the fabric can stand it, and notes that soaking in boiling water kills pests and their larvae. But many covers cannot take that heat. The KOPEKS listing, for example, names cold or warm water on a delicate cycle. If the label says cold or warm, stay there. The rule is simple: use the hottest setting the fabric allows, and never override the label.
Detergent is the other choice. The source does not name a laundry brand, but it recommends avoiding bleach and chlorine where possible. A mild, pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent is a sensible default. Rinse well so no residue stays in the fabric.
Step 5: Wash the cover
- Close the zipper so the teeth do not catch other items.
- Turn the cover inside out if the label allows it.
- Wash it alone or with similar items, and use the cycle named on the label. A delicate cycle is common for suede-style covers.
- Run an extra rinse if the bed was heavily soiled or if you used a stain treatment.
Whole Dog Journal also points out that a removable, washable cover is easier to keep clean because it keeps dirt out of the cushioning underneath. That is one reason to look for a bed with a zipper cover when you shop.
Step 6: Handle foam, liners and fillings
The Whole Dog Journal article does not cover foam beds in detail, so for the core of an orthopedic bed we rely on the maker. The listings in our pack describe two typical set-ups:
- KOPEKS orthopedic bed: 5.5 inch memory foam, a 3 inch headrest, a waterproof inner liner and a removable cover. Only the cover is described as machine washable. The listing gives the dimensions as 35 by 28 inches and 8 inches thick.
- Another listing of the same bed (Onix Electronics LLC): the bullets give 5.5 inch memory foam, a 3 inch bolster headrest, a removable cover and a waterproof liner. It lists 35 x 28 x 10 inches and 9 pounds, and the title says the cover is easy to wash.
If the liner and foam are not described as washable, wipe the liner with a damp cloth and let the foam air out. Do not soak foam or squeeze it in a washing machine unless the maker says it is safe. The listings in this pack do not give instructions for washing the foam, so contact the seller if you need them.
Step 7: Dry completely
The Whole Dog Journal article does not give drying instructions, so follow the label here too. In general, a cover that is still damp can smell musty and may grow mold inside the bed, so make sure the cover is fully dry before you put it back on the foam. Air drying and low-heat tumble drying are the usual options, and the care label will tell you which one your bed allows. Let the foam and liner air out in a ventilated spot until nothing feels cool or damp.
How often should you wash a dog bed?
Whole Dog Journal quotes a general guideline of at least every one to two weeks, and adds that you should adjust for your dog’s habits, activity level and shedding. A dog that spends the day outdoors, rolls in mud or sheds heavily will need more frequent washing than a dog that sleeps on the bed only at night. If you notice odors, skin irritation or scratching that gets worse, ask your vet about it, since a clean bed is only one part of the picture.
A bed that is easier to keep clean
If washing is a chore in your house, some beds are designed around it. The Magic Pet Bed listing describes a four-layer peel-clean design: a suede top layer over three more peelable layers, so when one gets dirty you peel it away to expose a fresh surface. The listing also gives a 2 inch supportive foam core, an anti-slip bottom, and says the base bed is wipeable and machine washable once all four layers have been used. It is listed at 36 by 24 by 2 inches, and the listing says it is for dogs and cats. It is a better fit for crates, cars and grooming sessions than for deep orthopedic support, since the foam core is 2 inches thick.
View the Magic Pet Bed on Amazon
For a full orthopedic bed with a removable cover and a waterproof liner, the KOPEKS listing is the one described above:
The Onix Electronics listing of the same bed:
Common mistakes
- Skipping the label. It is the single most important step, and it overrides general tips.
- Washing a bed full of hair. Vacuum and de-hair first.
- Using bleach. The source recommends avoiding bleach and chlorine where possible.
- Putting foam in the washer. Only do it if the maker says so.
- Returning a damp bed to the dog. Dry every layer first.
FAQ
Can I put a dog bed in the washing machine?
Only if the label says so. Many orthopedic beds have a removable cover that is machine washable while the foam inside is not. The KOPEKS listing, for example, describes a machine washable cover and a waterproof liner, not a washable core.
What water temperature should I use?
Use the hottest temperature the care label allows. A veterinarian quoted by Whole Dog Journal advises at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit if the fabric can stand it, but some covers specify cold or warm water on a delicate cycle, and that label wins.
What detergent is best?
The source does not name a detergent. It recommends avoiding bleach and chlorine where possible and using a pet-safe product for tough stains. A mild detergent, rinsed well, is a reasonable choice.
How do I get urine smell out of a dog bed?
Whole Dog Journal suggests a solution of baking soda, vinegar and water on urine, left to sit and then vacuumed, followed by a wash according to the label. If accidents are frequent, ask your vet about the cause.
How do I wash a memory foam dog bed?
Remove the cover and wash it per the label. For the foam itself, follow the maker’s directions; the listings we reviewed do not state that the foam is washable, so wipe and air it out unless you have instructions saying otherwise.
How often should I wash the bed?
The source gives a guideline of every one to two weeks, adjusted for how much your dog sheds, how active it is and how clean you want the bed to be.
Bottom line
Read the label, remove hair, treat stains, wash the cover at the hottest temperature the fabric allows, keep foam out of the machine unless the maker approves, and dry every part completely before the bed goes back down.
If your bed is worn out, see our guides to the best orthopedic bed for extra large dogs and the best jumbo dog bed.
