How to Wash a Dog Bed

Washing a dog bed regularly can help to ensure your pet always has a clean environment. It also minimizes the risk of fleas, germs, and dirt build up. Our guide shows you how to easily wash your dog’s bed, as well as the best beds to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Why do dog beds need washing?

An unclean dog bed can cause serious problems for your beloved pet. Infections can be passed from dog poo and urine or anything the dog has regurgitated. The bacteria in these bodily discharges can linger in the mattress for several months. There are potential problems with an unwashed dog bed that a simple brush or vacuum-clean cannot tackle. Sleeping in this unsanitary condition could result in your dog becoming ill, with the knowledge to keep their dog bed clean you’ll be able to reduce this risk.

All dog beds provide a good night’s sleep for your dog, but the best ones do far more than that. They keep dirt and bacteria at bay and make the home environment healthier for everyone.

Dog beds become dirty and smelly over time. They can also harbour flea eggs or ticks. Washing them is essential, and this can be a simple or complicated task, depending on the type of dog bed your pet has.

Washing a dog bed with a removable cover is simple. Without a removable cover, a thorough clean becomes more challenging.

Simple steps to wash a dog bed with removable covers

Washable dog beds with a cover are easier to clean than ones without a cover. Our easy steps on how to clean a dog bed with removable covers will help you give your pet a sparkling bed in no time.

How to wash the dog bed cover

1. Vacuum the dust and hair from the dog bed and dog blanket to prevent the fine hairs from clogging up your washing machine filter. A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment is ideal. 
2. Remove the cover and vacuum the mattress and all other parts of the bed. 
3. The cover of the dog bed can then be washed, along with the blanket. Use a pet-safe washing liquid and, if needed, a stain remover.

Washing your dog’s mattress

Depending on the type of bed you have, you will sometimes have to wash the mattress of your dog bed too. A model like the Topology dog bed has a waterproof cover that keeps the dirt away from the mattress. Although there may be occasional leaks if the dog has soiled the bed, in which case the mattress will need washing. 

1. The dog bed mattress should be soaked in a bathtub of hot water using a pet-safe washing product. 
2. Alternatively, it can be soaked for 15 minutes in a tub of water in which two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda have been dissolved.
3. Some mattresses are pliable enough to be washed in a washing machine and dried in a tumble dryer. 
4. Otherwise, it will have to dry outside. Choose a warm sunny day if possible – easier said than done at certain times of the year! The important detail is to choose a well-ventilated area, which will prevent mould from growing as the bed dries.

Washing a dog bed without a cover

Even if your dog bed does not have a removable cover, you can still wash it with ease. The following steps detail how to hand wash your dog bed. 

1. First, hoover-clean the bed, getting into all the folds and corners. 
2. Next, use a brush to loosen any hairs caught in the dog bed’s fabric and then vacuum it again. 
3. Individual stains can be spot-treated with an enzyme-based cleaner before soaking the whole bed in hot soapy water for 15 minutes. Squeeze and turn the bed a few times during this time, to remove as much dirt as possible.
4. If the bed is very dirty and the water turns brown, soak the bed for five minutes and then replace the water.
5. The bed should then be scrubbed all over using a damp brush dipped in baking soda. Use a toothbrush for the folds, seams and corners. This will add the finishing touches to the cleaning and will also deodorize the dog bed.
6. Fill the tub with warm water again and soak the dog bed, squeezing and kneading it to remove all traces of detergent. 
7. Repeat until the water shows no traces of soap bubbles.
8. The dog bed can then be air-dried in a warm and well-ventilated place.

Omlet’s easy to clean dog bed

The perfect easy to wash dog bed is a waterproof one made with cleaning in mind. If it has a machine washable cover that zips on, the bed can be washed and dried within a few hours. This system also has the advantage of longevity, as a worn-out cover can be replaced.

Our Topology dog beds employ this system and come in various versions and colours, all machine-washable at 30C (85F). You’ll also find the Omlet Bolster Dog Beds have removable covers for easy washing too. By matching light and dark colours to your dog’s coat, the hair will be less visible. A minor issue, perhaps, but white hair on a dark mattress, or dark hair on a white bed, looks very messy. The Topology covers are also waterproof, which protects the memory-foam mattress underneath. They come in different sizes, too, to suit all breeds of dog. Topology beds also prevent dirt from accumulating around the bed or mattress, as they have frames with legs that keep the structure off the ground.

How often to wash a dog bed

Now you know how to wash your dog’s bed, you may wonder how often you should be cleaning it. Washing the dog bed cover once every week or so eliminates issues of dirt and germ build up. The frequency will depend largely on how much hair the dog sheds and how dirty it tends to get. If anyone in the household has a dog allergy, frequent cleaning is essential. 

To kill any potential nasties lurking in the bedding, it will ideally need to be washed at 60C (140F). Although lots of dog bedding will have washing instructions recommending a lower temperature. A waterproof cover, which is a feature of the Topology range, prevents the mattress from soiling, and these covers can be washed at low temperatures.

Omlet petcare

Treat your dog to the accessories they deserve. Luxury dog crates that will help to crate train puppies as well as training adult dogs, to dog toys that will help build your bond, we have the items to make your dog comfy and happy.

This entry was posted in Dogs