How to Wash Your Dog’s Bed and Dry It Properly

By Dr Duncan Houston

A dog bed can look tidy while holding hair, dust, saliva and the remains of a wet walk. Washing helps, but the best method depends on what the cover and filling are made from.

Before putting the whole bed into a hot wash, read its care label. Cleaning a removable cover is often straightforward; soaking foam or using excessive heat can leave you with a damaged bed that never dries properly.

Quick Answer

Remove loose hair, check the care instructions and wash the cover or whole bed only by a method the manufacturer permits. Use the appropriate detergent, cycle and temperature, rinse well and dry every layer completely before your dog uses it again. Weekly cleaning is a useful routine starting point, with extra cleaning whenever bedding is soiled or smells unpleasant.

How often should you wash a dog bed?

The CDC's example cleaning schedule recommends weekly cleaning for pet beds and blankets. Adjust that routine to the actual bed: a muddy dog, heavy shedding, a toileting accident or a wet cover can create a reason to clean sooner.

A calendar reminder helps with routine maintenance, but it should not override what you see or smell. Inspect the surface and underneath the bed when you change its cover. A clean top layer does not mean the filling underneath is dry.

If your veterinarian has recommended a particular hygiene plan for an illness or skin problem, follow that plan. Routine laundering is not a replacement for condition-specific advice.

Check the bed before you start

• Read all care labels: the cover, inner liner and filling may have different instructions
• Inspect seams and zips: repair or replace damaged parts before loose filling becomes accessible
• Remove loose debris: vacuum or brush away hair, sand and crumbs before washing
• Separate washable layers: remove covers and liners where the design allows
• Plan the drying time: have a clean, dry alternative sleeping place ready

If the label is missing, identify the bed through the manufacturer before choosing a harsh cycle. “Dog bed” is not a single fabric type, and a machine-washable cover does not make the insert machine washable.

How to wash a removable cover

1. Remove hair first. Shake or vacuum the cover where loose material can be collected safely
2. Deal with visible soiling. Remove solid material and use a suitable stain product only as directed
3. Choose the correct wash. Follow the fabric label for cycle, temperature and whether the cover can go in the machine
4. Use an appropriate amount of detergent. More product does not automatically produce a better result
5. Rinse thoroughly. The cover should not retain a slippery feel or obvious detergent residue
6. Dry as instructed. Refit it only when fully dry

Detergents without dyes or fragrance may be a useful choice for a dog with sensitive skin, as the CDC notes. Follow any individual veterinary advice and avoid adding fragrances simply to hide a persistent odour.

What about foam, bolsters and whole beds?

Use a whole-bed machine wash only when the manufacturer says it is suitable and the bed fits without overloading the machine. A bed packed tightly into the drum may not wash or rinse as intended.

For a non-washable insert, follow the permitted spot-cleaning method. Do not assume that hand washing is safe merely because machine washing is prohibited. Some fillings hold large amounts of water and can be difficult to dry throughout.

If contamination has soaked deeply into an insert that cannot be cleaned, replacement may be more practical than repeatedly spraying the surface. Choose based on the material, damage and whether you can make the bed clean and fully dry again.

Do you need a hot wash or disinfectant?

Use the temperature appropriate to the fabric and care instructions. A universal instruction to wash every dog bed at one high temperature can damage materials. Routine cleaning removes dirt and many germs; disinfecting is a separate process used when it is needed.

If disinfection is required, use a method appropriate to the material and the specific situation. Follow the product label exactly, including any preparation, contact time, rinsing and drying requirements. Ask your veterinary team for a suitable plan when illness is involved.

Never mix cleaning products. Keep dogs away while products are being used, prevent access to wet residues and store supplies securely. Do not apply household disinfectant to your dog.

Drying is part of the cleaning job

Check the centre and underside as well as the outer fabric. A surface can feel dry while the filling remains damp. Follow the label for tumble drying or air drying and allow sufficient ventilation.

Do not place a damp bed back into a poorly ventilated corner or under another cover. If an insert retains an unpleasant smell after an appropriate wash and complete drying, inspect whether the material is damaged or contamination remains.

Keep a spare washable layer available so your dog does not lose their resting place while laundry dries. A familiar layout and a quiet place to sleep can help maintain their normal routine.

Clean, re-clean or replace?

• Routine cleaning: the bed is intact and washable, with ordinary hair and dirt. Follow its normal care instructions
• Extra cleaning needed: there is visible soiling, moisture or an unpleasant smell. Remove the bed from use while cleaning and drying it
• Consider replacement: filling is exposed, seams cannot be repaired, or the insert cannot be cleaned and dried effectively

These are bedding-maintenance decisions. If your dog has repeated accidents, persistent itching or another health concern, the bed-cleaning routine cannot explain the cause; discuss the change with your veterinarian.

Common mistakes

• Washing the insert by instructions intended only for the cover
• Overloading the washing machine with a bulky bed
• Using extra fragrance instead of removing the source of an odour
• Returning the bed while the centre is still damp
• Mixing cleaners or letting the dog lick wet cleaning residue

Make the next wash easier

Use a suitable removable washable cover, remove loose hair between washes and inspect the underside regularly. Keep washing instructions somewhere accessible so another household member can follow the same process.

When choosing replacement bedding, consider how it will fit your washer, how the insert is cleaned and where it can dry. Practical cleaning access matters as much as how the bed looks in the room.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put any dog bed in the washing machine?

No. Check the instructions for each layer. Some covers are washable while their foam or filling is not.

Should I wash bedding even if it does not smell?

Yes. Use a regular cleaning routine and inspect for hair, dirt and moisture; odour is not the only reason to wash it.

Is a scented spray enough between washes?

No. A fragrance does not remove dirt or replace the cleaning method the bed needs.

When can my dog use the bed again?

After the cleaning process and any product-label requirements are complete and all layers are fully dry.

The useful rule

Clean according to the material, respond promptly to soiling and do not rush the drying stage. A washable cover, an intact insert and a reliable laundry routine make clean bedding easier to maintain.

Source

CDC: cleaning and disinfecting pet supplies

ASK A VET™ supports practical everyday care. If a health problem changes your dog's bedding needs, ask your veterinary team how to adapt the cleaning routine.