Do you know what your furry friend’s favorite spot in the house is? Yes, you guessed it right – their bed! It’s their haven where they spend most of their day lounging, sleeping, and dreaming about bones and toys. But, did you know that your dog’s bed is one of the dirtiest spots in your home? Just like humans, dogs shed hair, leave behind dander, and drool on their beds. Not to mention, they bring in dirt, bacteria, and parasites from outside. Gross, right? But fear not, because, in this blog post, we’ll be sharing some helpful tips on how to clean a dog bed effectively. After all, a clean bed not only promotes better health for your pup but also helps maintain a fresh-smelling home. So, let’s get started on this cleaning journey together!
Disclaimer: Rested Tail is funded by our readers who benefit from our dog bed reviews. If you purchase items based on our recommendations below, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also. the advice on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace veterinarian advice, but it’s definitely a good conversation starter to bring to your vet.
Please see your veterinarian if you believe your fur baby needs medical intervention.
Can Dog Beds Be Washed?
You’ll know your furry pal’s bed needs to be washed because it becomes foul-smelling over time without regular washings, and is usually very hairy.
Dirt, hair, and even fleas can easily get in your dog’s bedding since that’s where they sleep and lounge for the majority of the day. Keeping their bed clean is part of keeping your dog healthy and comfortable!
You can and should wash your dog’s bed. It depends on the bed’s material if there are any removable covers and the size of the bed. It would be best if you washed a dog bed at least once a week.
Although it might depend on the type of dog bed you have, there are some general ways for cleaning a dog bed to keep it fresh and clean.
Cleaning a dog bed is not an easy task, but it also should be something you don’t ignore.
How Clean Is Your Dog Bed?
Many places that we come in contact with, like public washrooms and grocery carts, carry germs. Sadly dog beds do too.
According to The International Scientific Forum On Home Hygiene, pets carry bacterial, viral, crawling species even if they are not sick.
Infections can be passed when your dog jumps from his bed onto your couch or when you come in contact with his saliva(coughing or licking), urine, or other bodily discharge. These organisms live in the environment for up to 12 months, including your dog bed.
Luckily we can control the cleanliness of our dog beds.
How Often Should You Wash A Dog Bed?
Fortunately, the answer to this question is pretty simple: you should wash your dog bed at least once a week. The more often you do it, the cleaner and fresher your house will be! This can also help reduce problems with allergies or fleas in some dogs as well. If your pet has an accident on his bed that won’t come out with just soap and water, then it’s time for a deep clean.
How often you need to wash a dog bed depends on several factors such as hair type (dry vs. oily), fur length (long-haired vs. short-haired), and if their professional groomer has recently groomed them. For example, long-haired dogs may require washing more often than short-haired ones because long hair can trap more dirt and dust, especially when they roll around on the ground or couch.
For a deep clean, however, you should use hot water with soap to scrub away any lingering smells from your dog’s accidents, as well as other stubborn stains that won’t come out in just one wash cycle.
The best way to remove odors is by using oxygenated bleach (OxiClean), which will not discolor your bedspread and leave it smelling fresh! And don’t forget about those pesky pee spots left behind – keep them at bay by adding an ounce of white vinegar into your laundry detergent due to its ability to break down ammonia molecules, preventing them from forming a foul odor again!
Is It Ok To Wash Dog Bed In Washing Machine?
Cleaning a dog bed in the washing machine is ok. Just be sure not to use fabric softener or dryer sheets! They will make your bed too slick and cause accidents on your nice fluffy carpet!
Dog beds can also get a lot of dirt and dust on them through their fur which often falls off when they roll around during sleep.
It would help if you took out all the stuffing from the bedspread for a deep clean, then ran it through the washer with hot water mixed with soap. Remember to check for any stubborn stains that may need extra scrubbing before putting everything back together again – once ready, throw it into another cycle just as if you were doing a regular load of laundry at home!
How Do You Get Dog Pee Smell Out Of Dog Bed?
The pee smell on your dog bed can be a significant source of frustration for dog owners. There are many reasons why your pet may urinate on their bed, and it is essential to figure out the root cause before you can treat whatever condition is causing the problem.
The first thing that you need to do when urine odor becomes an issue with your pet’s dog bedding is to clean up any urine stains from the surface.
The next step would be figuring out the dog bed’s materials. Some materials need unique treatment methods when cleaning them, while others require only soap and water solution applied directly onto the affected area and then left out to dry.
If you can’t get rid of the smell, it’s time to reach for a specially designed product for removing urine-related odors. We recommend products like Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer or Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator.
Hand washing your dog bed
Dog beds can be bulky and too large for your washing machine to handle properly. So you’re better off hand washing your dog’s bed.
Start by filling the bathtub with water and adding a dash of laundry detergent. Mix it before placing your dog bed inside to soak for about ten minutes or so, then scrub away any stains! Rinse well after you’re done washing by wringing out as much excess moisture as possible. Then let it air dry in the sunshine outside or if it’s winter, put it on your cloth rack inside to dry off.
What Should I Wash My Dog Bedding With?
If you are currently using a detergent that is safe for your pet, then use it. If not, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. There are many different types of dog bedding materials out on the market, and they require various cleaners when washing them.
Take time before starting the work to identify the type of material your dog’s bedding is made from to be able to select an appropriate cleaning agent:
-Cotton – Wash with mild soap or detergent in cool water; Rinse thoroughly; Dry outside if possible or tumble dry on low heat inside the machine until completely dry).
-Wool – can only be hand washed (imagine how sensitive wool would feel after being tumbled around inside a washing machine.
It is essential to keep in mind that the choice of detergent also depends on what you want your dog beds to be like – when appropriate, use a washing machine. If not, hand wash, then air dry or tumble dry in low heat.
If you are still unsure about what type of detergent you should use for a particular fabric/material and how you should best wash it (e.g., cold water vs. hot), do some research: check with the company who manufactured the bedding; look up questions on message boards specific to that product’s material; read reviews from others online, etc.)
Don’t forget to unzip pet products before washing them, as many manufacturers recommend this during their care instructions.
Remove Fleas Naturally
Fleas can be hard to remove from a pet’s bedding or blanket. The best way to do so is by using borax, which should first be dissolved in hot water and left on the fabric for at least an hour before being removed.
Borax will kill both larvae and adult fleas as this chemical can absorb moisture—something that the insect needs to stay alive and thrive! Plus, because borax has a low toxicity level even if ingested orally, it is safe to use around your pets.
By mixing borax with water, you can create a safe and effective flea trap that will kill any insect or parasite that walks across it!
Conclusion
Dog beds are an excellent addition to any pet owner’s home.
To continue being a source of comfort and security, you need to clean them properly so they don’t get dirty or smelly. Cleaning a dog bed is something that you should do every week or so to remove allergens and other debris.
We’ve given you some tips on how you can do this in the article above but if you have questions about anything we didn’t cover, please let us know by leaving your comments below!
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