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When it comes to my dog I will do literally anything for her but one of my least favorite parts is when it’s time to wash her bed. Thankfully at this point I’ve got the process down to a science. Here is exactly how to wash a dog bed with stuffing (with or without a removable cover).
Cleaning your dogs bed frequently is crucial to ensure a healthy place for them to rest. So when it does come time to wash a dog bed that has stuffing, it’s important to consider what your dog bed is made of and what the manufacturers care instructions state.
My dog has three beds that of course all have different care instructions. But generally your dog bed will fall into one of two categories: dog beds with removable covers OR dog beds without removable covers.
Don’t worry I’m covering how to wash a dog bed with stuffing so I will share with you how to wash each option and yes this includes even those large dog beds!
How To Wash A Dog Bed With Stuffing
Q: How often should dog beds be washed?
A: Dog beds should be washed at least once a week. If your dog is prone to dirty adventures outside you may want to wash your bed more often or at the very least whenever you notice major dirty spots on the bed. Similarly your dogs bed should be washed any time they are not feeling well and especially if there are any signs of vomit or urine.
Think about how nice it feels to crawl into a freshly washed bed – it’s the same for your dog!
Q: What is the best detergent to wash dog bedding?
A: While most dogs can handle any standard detergent you will want to keep a watchful eye on your dog’s skin after using a new detergent. Ensure your dog isn’t developing any redness / itchiness as that can be a sign of an allergy.
There are pet specific detergents but the reviews seem to be mixed on their effectiveness. The best approach is to start with the detergent you already use. If your dog is allowed on blankets, they have likely already been exposed to that type of detergent anyways.
Q: What is the brown stuffing in dog beds?
A: When I opened up my dogs bed for the first time I was pretty surprised by what I saw inside. I was expecting just plain old white stuffing. Dog beds have become more and more sophisticated and one of the popular add ins is cedar chips which is why you sometimes see brown stuffing in dog beds.
The cedar chips serve a great purpose of helping keep fleas and ticks away from the bed. If your dog bed has cedar chips, you’ll want to ensure you remove the stuffing prior to washing the dog bed.
How to Wash a Dog Bed with a Removable Cover
If your dog’s bed has a cover that can be removed, good news this process is going to be super easy! Here are the exact steps I follow to wash any dog beds that have a removable cover.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Vacuum
- Lint Roller
- Spot Treatment
- Deep Cleaner (optional)
- Washer or Large Bathtub
1. Vaccumn up any loose dirt
You really want to do your best to get into any folds or cracks just like you would when vacuuming your couch. This is where a solid handheld vacuums comes into play because it’s much easier to maneuver but it’s possible to use a large vacuums instead.
2. Run your lint roller over the bed
Do this a few times. I find that the vacuums does a great job with dirt but sometimes misses hair especially for those dogs with short coarse hair! When it comes to how to clean a dog bed with stuffing – these are the tiny details that make a difference. This is hands down the best lint roller for pet hair!
3. Remove cover and separate it from the stuffing
After removing the cover, look at the tag on your dog’s bed. It should have specific instructions as to whether it can be put in the washer/dryer. It’s important to follow the manufacturers guidelines.
Place the stuffing aside. Somewhere clean and away from your dog so he or she doesn’t think it’s a giant chew toy.
4. Place the cover in the washer
Depending on your washer settings you may find that you have a pre-programmed setting that will work well but if not I recommend just doing a simple gentle wash with an extra rinse. Add a small amount of dog friendly detergent, spot treat any extra dirty patches, and let the machine do it’s thing.
If you do not have a washing machine you can fill your bathtub up with water and add your detergent to it. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then use your hands to rub out any stains. Drain the tub completely and then refill with new water. Let sit another 30 minutes to rinse away detergent.
5. Dry the dog bed completely
Most dog bed covers are dryer friendly but I highly recommend you dry only on your lowest heat setting. Drying the cover on a high heat setting could cause the bed to shrink and no longer fit the stuffing properly. It will take longer on low heat but it is super important so you don’t destroy the bed.
If you can’t use the dryer to dry your dog bed you can hang dry it. If drying outside be sure to check for bugs before bringing inside. Confirm that the bed is completely dry before putting it back together.
How to wash dog bed without removable cover
Washing your dog’s bed that doesn’t have a removable cover is a little more difficult but overall is very doable especially with the right tools! Your focus should be on spot treatment.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Vacuum
- Lint Roller
- Spot Treatment
- Firm Brush
- Deep Cleaner (optional but highly recommend!)
- Cleaning Towels
1. Vacuum
Take some extra time with vacuuming as this is the primary way to clean the bed in it’s entirety. If you have a dog bed without a removable cover I can’t recommend this handheld vacuum enough. It is the only one that makes me feel like my dog’s bed is actually getting clean.
2. Lint Roller
Use the lint roller to pickup any leftover hair that the vacuum couldn’t catch. If your bed has a sturdy shape to it you can also try a pummus stone.
3. Spot Treatment
Identify any discoloring and dirt spots and scrub away. Often times you’ll notice discolored spots or spots where the texture looks or feels different. These are the areas you want to target.
Using a cleaner that does most of the work is helpful but it also doesn’t hurt to grab a firm brush. They are usually super inexpensive and help tremendously to remove deep spots.
True Story: I randomly found this cleaner in my house (I do not remember buying it) but it works so well! If you want an odor remover and cleaner in one, this works wonders.
4. Deep Clean
When it comes to how to wash a dog bed with stuffing that doesn’t have a removable cover – this is the only truly effective way to clean the entire bed.
If you have a vacuum that has a deep clean feature, I highly recommend utilizing it. If you have a dog bed without a removable cover consider investing in a deep cleaner. You can use it all over the house so trust me it’ll be worth the money.
Can you wash a dog bed with stuffing in the washer?
You might be able to depending on your manufacturers care instructions but just because you can doesn’t mean that you should. Washing a dog bed with stuffing in the washer is only a good idea when the cover can be removed completely.
Putting a dog bed with stuffing in the washer is not advised. Stuffing is often a mix of materials (some of which don’t need washing) plus it’s really difficult to know if that bed is fully dry.
Instead opt for a deep cleaning vacuum or purchase a dog bed with a removable cover.
Conclusion – how to wash a dog bed final tips
Now that you understand the basics of how to wash a dog bed with stuffing here are a couple tips for how to keep your dog bed clean for longer.
- Check your dogs paws whenever they come in from the outdoors. You can quickly wipe away dirt before it’s tracked onto the dog bed.
- Brush your dog frequently. Removing dog hair is one of the hardest parts of cleaning dog beds so stay one step ahead by keeping your dog neatly groomed.
- Utilize blankets. Blankets are a lot simpler to clean and make your dog feel extra cozy so don’t be afraid to throw a blanket over the top of your dogs bed (especially if they are feeling sick).
Friendly reminder: you should ALWAYS check the label on your dog bed. The manufacturer provides care instructions based on what the dog bed is actually made out of. This was an overview of how to wash a dog bed with stuffing but you can get the most accurate information from the manufacturer.
Other Dog Related Posts You Might Like:
Pin Brush For Dogs – 6 Dog Pin Brushes That Make Grooming Easy!
How to Provide Physical Enrichment for Dogs of all Ages, Sizes, & Breeds
17 Practical Dog Wagon Stroller From $ to $$$ (Large & Small Options)
