Did you know that dogs sleep for 10-12 hours every day? Dogs spend most of their time on their beds snoozing. The bed is their most-used accessory and hence it becomes necessary to keep it clean.
But what if your canine’s bed starts smelling and has fur all over? Your dog can develop skin rashes and allergies due to a dirty bed.
Washing a dog bed with stuffing is not an easy task. It consumes time and can be painstaking for a few pet parents. However, if you want your dog to have healthy sleep, it is necessary to keep their bed and belongings clean.
Therefore we help you with some simple steps you can follow to wash a dog bed with stuffing and let your dog have a peaceful and healthy sleep.
Why Should You Wash Your Dog’s Bed?
Dog beds are prone to getting dirty easily as canines carry fleas and dust in their fur. They play outdoors and move about all over the house carrying dust and dirt everywhere, including their bed.
If you do not clean their bed regularly, it can cultivate pathogenic organisms that can cause skin as well as respiratory diseases.
Not just your dog, it can even affect you or your family members. Fleas and dander may cause allergies to your dog as well as the entire household.
Hence it is necessary to wash your dog’s bed to get rid of germs, allergens, and dirty odor associated with it. It keeps the bed smelling fresh and clean each time you wash it and encourages your pup to use it.
Important Tips to Wash Dog Beds
Here are some handy tips to consider before you get started with washing your dog’s bed:
- Make sure to keep the zippers of the bed closed if there are any. This will keep the stuffing from coming out of the bed and also protect the zippers from any damage.
- See to it that the bed can tumble freely if you are using a dryer. This is because the heating element of the dryer can damage the parts of your bed due to excessive heat. Moreover, the heat is not evenly distributed across the bed if it cannot tumble in the dryer.
- Check the bed before you put it for wash as it may have open stitches and tears which are very common in dog beds. Torn beds can create problems while washing as the stuffing can leak out and clog your drains at times.
- If the dog bed has a removable cover, then it is advisable to wash it separately. Bed covers may have separate washing instructions depending upon the material and type. The best way to wash them is to use a pet safe detergent and hot water.
- After washing, spread the bed cover evenly on a surface for quick drying. Do not fold or use it before it dries properly as damp covers can cause allergies and rashes in dogs.
What Do You Need to Wash a Dog Bed With Stuffing?
Make sure to have this list of objects around before you wash a dog bed with stuffing:
- Stain Remover
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Washing Machine
- Pet-Safe Detergent
- Water
- Deodoriser
How To Wash a Dog Bed with Stuffing?
Time needed: 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Here are the steps you can follow to wash your dog’s bed with stuffing:
- Inspect
Before washing, check the stuffed bed for any tears or damaged zippers. These damages can cause problems during washing and should be fixed before you wash the bed.
If the bed has a removable cover, wash it separately as per the washing instructions provided. A mild detergent and hot water always work for bed covers. - Get Rid of Loose Dirt
Your dog’s bed can have tonnes of loose dirt like fur, hair, ticks, dirt and mud. Dogs may visit plenty of places over the day and carry dust and dirt in their hair which can remain stuck or transferred to the bed.
Therefore, before using any liquid, make sure to clean the bed dry using a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Move it over the bed several times, especially over the corners as the dirt around the corners is stubborn. You can also use a lint roller over the bed to remove unwanted fur that can cause allergies. - Remove the Stains
The next step would be to remove the stains from various spots on the bed. Simple washing may not be sufficient to get rid of all the stains. Therefore, you will need to spot clean them by using a stain remover before putting them in a washing machine.
This will make the washing process easier and less hectic. Use a mild stain remover that does not contain harsh chemicals and would not irritate your pooch. - Wash the Dog Bed
After removing the stains and loose dirt, it’s time to wash the dog bed. Each bed comes with washing instructions from the manufacturer. Check if the bed is machine washable which will make your task easier. All you have to do it, toss it in the machine with hot water.
If the size of the bed is big, it may not fit into the machine and you can consider giving it at a laundry or wash it in a tub with your hands. - Scrub
Washing your dog’s bed with stuffing is equally effective as washing it in a machine. Use a bathtub and fill it up with hot water.
Hot water ensures that harmful germs and pathogens get killed due to high temperatures. Use a mild detergent with hot water and make enough lather to wash the bed properly.
Move your hands over the bed and scrub using a brush thoroughly. Gather enough soap on the bed surface to rinse away all the dirt with the lather.
Use a mild detergent that will prevent irritation due to harmful chemicals. You can also use a deodoriser or alternatives like apple cider vinegar and white vinegar which help in removing foul smells easily. - Squeeze
Throw the dirty water from the tub and squeeze the excess water from the bed. Use warm water to rinse out the dog bed and remove any soap.
Do this repeatedly until you see any bubbles in the water. Squeeze the dog bed repeatedly to remove excess water and dry the bed quickly. - Dry
If you have a dryer, then your task is simpler. See to it that the bed can tumble freely inside the dryer to avoid any damage to the bed due to excessive heat. In order to protect the bed, you can also use a pet-safe dryer sheet that air fluffs the bed.
If you do not have a dryer, simply put the bed on a flat surface outdoors or in a ventilated area and allow it to dry. If some parts of the bed take longer to dry, you can also use a hair dryer over those areas.
Make sure that the bed does not remain damp to avoid the growth of molds and fungus that can be harmful to your pet. - Fluff & Clean
Now, it is time to put the clean and tidy bed back in place. Fluff the bed by gently pulling the stuffing with both hands. This makes the bed feel more cozy, fluffy and soft.
If the bed has a cover, put the bed back in the cover and spray a mild freshener or odor eliminator over the bed to leave it smelling pleasant and fresh.
How Often Should I Wash My Dog’s Bed?
If your dog bed has a stuffing of cotton or foam and has a non-detachable cover, you should clean it at least once a week.
If your dog regularly uses the bed for sleeping and is an active pet that goes outdoors frequently, then you must wash it twice a week to not cultivate dust and germs.
Some parents do not like to wash their dog’s bed regularly as it can be quite painstaking and reduce the lifespan of the bed. However, good quality beds are made to withstand regular washing and do not wear off easily.
It is rather advisable to get rid of the dirt and dust frequently to keep the bed smelling fresh and healthy for use at all times.
Final Verdict
Cleaning your dog’s bed takes up most of your time and energy. However, with the steps that we have suggested above along with the pre-cleaning procedures, it is not difficult to wash your dog’s bed with stuffing.
Just make sure to check the bed for any damages and remember to wash it regularly to keep it safe and healthy for your pooch to use.
After all, your dog certainly deserves a clean and comfortable bed to use and sleep in, doesn’t he?
References:
- PetMD Editorial. (2019c, January 9). The Guide to Washing a Dog Bed. PetMD. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_guide-to-washing-dog-bed
- Puppy Behavior and Training – Dealing with Undesirable Behavior | VCA Animal Hospital. (n.d.). Vca. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/puppy-behavior-and-training—dealing-with-undesirable-behavior
Dwana is our best team member when it comes to taking care of pets on daily basis. This is because she used to be a full-time pet sitter before joining DogLovesBest. Besides contributing her precious knowledge on dog care tips and everyday-use pet products, she still does dog walking as part of her hobby in her free time.