How To Clean A Dog Bed Too Big For Washing Machine

Most dog owners want their pups to take a nice and comfortable bed where they can chill out and grab up on some z's. But unfortunately, keeping a canis familiaris bed clean and tidy can be tricky. Some come up with machine-washable removable covers, whereas others need to be scrubbed by hand. Follow this step-by-step guide to acquire exactly how to clean your dog'southward bed, regardless of type, and other important things to keep in mind to brand certain your pup'southward bed looks and smells fresh.

How Ofttimes Should You Clean Your Dog's Bed?

Contrary to popular belief, canis familiaris beds demand regular cleaning. "We recommend washing all bedding every two weeks at least," says Tina Wismer, DVM, Senior Manager, ASPCA Animate being Toxicant Control Center.

That said, that frequency might vary depending on a number of factors including how much time your domestic dog spends outside, how much he sheds, and if someone in your home suffers from a pet allergy.

How to Machine Launder a Canis familiaris Bed

The best method to make clean your dog's bed depends on its textile. If information technology has a removable embrace, information technology tin likely be machine-washed and dried according to the manufacturer'due south instructions. Merely if you don't take instructions on hand, it's all-time to play it safe.

Start past removing all the excess hair and debris from the bed, says Eleni Shipp, the Vice President of Marketing at Lemi Shine, a line of cleaning products that are formulated with pet-condom, plant-based ingredients. You can practice this by either giving the bed a good milk shake exterior or thoroughly vacuum information technology to remove all residual.

Then, Shipp says to throw the bed encompass into the washing car and run it on a normal, cold wheel. "I usually add together a few canis familiaris towels to the mix to fill out the load," she says.

When information technology comes to detergent, expect for something that's unscented or fragrance-free, Wismer adds. Similar to humans with sensitive skin, scents and perfumes institute in laundry detergent tin potentially crusade your pet to have an allergic reaction and atomic number 82 to itchy and irritated peel.

It's not just detergents you accept to sentinel out for—fabric softeners tin cause even more than damage. "Cloth softeners comprise cationic detergents, which have the potential to cause issues for your pets like drooling, vomiting, oral and esophageal ulcers, and fever," Wismer explains. "These clinical signs require handling past a veterinarian." That's why, to err on the side of circumspection, it'south worth putting your dog bed cover through an extra rinse bike to make sure that all the detergent has been removed from the fabric.

It's likewise best practice to let your dog bed cover air-dry, Shipp says. Simply if you were to put it in the dryer, you should dry on low heat and so it doesn't shrink, and avoid the employ of dryer sheets. "Oral ulcers can develop if a pet chews on a new or used dryer canvass," Wismer warns. "If an animal ingests enough sheets, new or used, an intestinal blockage may occur."

Shiba Inu puppy laying in a dog bed

Credit: Miguel Michán / Getty

5 Steps to Paw Launder a Dog Bed

Canis familiaris beds without removal inserts can be a pain to clean since they nigh always aren't washing-machine safe. If that's the case, follow these 5 steps if yous demand to clean your dog bed by hand:

1. Vacuum the Dog Bed

Use your vacuum'due south head attachment to clean every inch of the dog bed, including the exterior, interior, and in between the seams. The goal is to remove all of the dog hair, dirt, and debris—some of which may not be visible to the naked eye.

2. Spot Clean Stains

If your dog's bed is soiled or stained, soak up any liquid with a newspaper towel. In some cases, you might need to use an enzyme spray or stain remover. Just brand sure they're pet prophylactic. The Lemi Smoothen Multi-surface Disinfecting Spray, for example, is a condom bet. Not but is it complimentary from harsh chemicals, Shipp says, it's safe for pets and anyone with allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities that tin can be aggravated by the employ of strong chemicals such equally ammonia and bleach.

3. Soak in Warm, Soapy H2o

Depending on the size of your dog bed, make full up a tub or sink with warm h2o and mix in some unscented laundry detergent. Submerge the bed into the water until it'south completely wet and allow it stand for 10-15 minutes. If the bed is super dingy and the h2o turns brown, yous should bleed and refill the h2o, and soak the bed for an boosted v-10 minutes.

four. Sprinkle on Baking Soda

Without wringing the bed, take it out of the tub or sink and sprinkle some baking soda all over it. Then, catch a scrub brush and thoroughly brush every crevice of the bed. On top of being an splendid cleaning agent, baking soda is too neat for soaking upwards any foul odors, Shipp says. This is particularly helpful since the detergent you lot'll utilise is unscented.

5. Rinse Thoroughly

While you're scrubbing the dog bed with baking soda, bleed all the water from the tub or sink you were using. Refill it and re-submerge the bed into the clean water. Start kneading the bed to remove any extra detergent and blistering soda residue. Y'all may demand to drain and refill the water multiple times to make sure all the soapiness is gone.

6. Wring and Dry

One time the bed is clean, starting time to wring it out to get rid of any excess h2o. Keep in mind that the more than water you remove, the quicker the bed will dry. In one case you've removed all the water that you can, place the canis familiaris bed outside, on a mat, or on a drying rack in indirect sunlight. Depending on your bed, it may have several hours for it to fully dry.

How to Choose a Dog Bed That's Easy to Clean

Aside from machine washing and hand washing a dog bed, yous can opt to dry clean information technology, just for most people, it's not worth the cost. "Is dry cleaning worth it for a $50–$90 bed? Probably not," says Caitlin Sole, senior associate abode editor for Meliorate Homes and Gardens.com. "Y'all besides tin't be sure of the safety of the solvents when they come into contact with dogs."

That's why when it comes to dog beds, it'southward best to find something that'due south low maintenance and easy to make clean. Here are some things to consider:

Check the characterization earlier purchasing a canis familiaris bed. Make certain that the bed is fully machine-washable or has a removable cover that tin easily be thrown into the launder.

Since experts recommend that you lot should wash your domestic dog bed every bit often as every other calendar week, it's important to ensure that your bed is made upwardly of a durable textile that tin can last through then many washes.

If your pup is prone to accidents, try investing in a waterproof domestic dog bed. Sole, who owns a Great Pyrenees, swears by PetFusion's Ultimate Dog Bed that comes with a waterproof liner and a 3-year warranty.