How to wash a dog bed?

Keeping a dog bed clean is one of the simplest, highest-impact things you can do for your pet’s comfort and for household hygiene. A freshly cleaned bed reduces odors, lowers the amount of dander and microbes your family breathes, and can make life easier when your dog has a skin issue or an accident. Below are practical, veterinarian-minded steps and strategies that make washing a dog bed predictable and effective.

The Real Reasons to Keep Your Dog’s Bed Clean

Dog beds collect more than loose fur. Natural skin oils, sweat, saliva and the tiny particles known as dander build up over days and weeks; these materials are attractive to bacteria and yeast that may make a bed smell or, in some animals, irritate skin. Removing visible grime and laundering covers can materially reduce household odors and the amount of allergen your family encounters.

Regular cleaning also helps control external parasites. Fleas, their eggs and larvae, and other hitchhiking pests are likely to be found in places your dog rests frequently; washing can remove many life stages and reduce the chance of re‑infestation. Finally, if a dog has been ill or has had an accident, washing removes organic residues that may harbor pathogens or encourage secondary infections.

Fast Wash Plan: Clean a Dog Bed in 20–30 Minutes

For a quick, practical plan you can follow immediately:

• Wash removable covers weekly; launder the entire bed (or foam insert) at least once a month, more often if your dog is messy or unwell.
• Spot-clean stains as they happen with an enzyme cleaner made for organic soils.
• Use a fragrance‑free, pet‑safe laundry detergent and the warmest water temperature the care label allows; warm-to-hot water helps reduce microbial load.
• Dry thoroughly—dryer heat or direct sun—until fillings are completely dry to avoid mildew and microbes.

Common Messes: How Dog Beds Become Soiled

Skin oils and hair constantly shed from dogs and settle into fabric and foam; over time this layer traps dirt and odor. Saliva, urine, feces and occasional vomiting introduce organic material that is a food source for bacteria and odor-producing microbes. What smells “stale” is often microbial byproducts accumulating in fibers rather than the hair itself.

Microbial growth—bacteria and yeast—may increase when a bed stays damp or when organic soils aren’t removed promptly. Separately, fleas, ticks and mites are drawn to the warm, sheltered space a bed provides; eggs and larvae may lodge in seams or foam, where they can survive until re-exposure. That combination of oils, soils, microbes and pests is why a bed that looks merely “lived in” can become a hygiene concern over time.

Timing Is Everything — How Often to Wash Your Dog’s Bed

Routine schedules are useful, but certain triggers should prompt an extra washing. Wash after any visible stain or a strong odor appears. During heavy shedding seasons—many dogs blow coats in spring and autumn—I typically recommend increasing cover washing to weekly because fur and dander load climbs quickly.

Also wash after muddy walks, rainy outdoor play, or swimming in stagnant water. If your dog has been ill, exposed to parasites, or had an accident on the bed, a thorough wash of covers and a sanitation of the sleeping surface helps reduce risk to other pets and people in the home.

When Smells, Stains or Excessive Scratching Signal a Problem

Cleaning helps many problems, but it isn’t a cure for underlying disease. If a foul odor returns quickly after washing, or if an animal keeps scratching, has sores or shows overt hair loss, those signs may suggest a skin infection, allergy or parasite problem that needs veterinary attention. Persistent blood, pus, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or visible fleas and ticks are reasons to call your veterinarian rather than rely on cleaning alone.

If you see widespread skin lesions, areas of severe redness, or if multiple pets in the household show skin problems after sharing a bed, consider an early professional evaluation. I often see owners delay vet visits because they assume washing will solve everything; when medical issues are present, timely diagnosis avoids worsenings and recurrent contamination of bedding.

A Practical Washing Routine: From Vacuuming to Drying

1. Read the care tags: Always start by checking the manufacturer’s instructions. Many covers are machine-washable, but the fill may be spot-clean-only. If the bed has a zipper, remove the cover and separate components; for beds without removable covers, note fabric type and whether foam can be rinsed.

2. Remove loose debris: Shake the bed outside and use a vacuum with a pet-hair attachment to pull out hair and dander from seams and surfaces before putting anything in the washer. This reduces clogging and improves cleaning effectiveness.

3. Pretreat organic stains: For urine, feces or vomit, apply an enzyme-based cleaner to the soiled area and let it sit according to product directions. Enzyme cleaners work by breaking down proteins that cause odor and staining and are usually more effective than plain detergent on organic soils.

4. Machine wash: Wash covers and washable inserts per the tag with a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent. Use the warmest water temperature the fabric allows; warm or hot water is likely linked to better removal of oils and microbes. A heavy-duty cycle and an extra rinse can help remove trapped soils and detergent residue that might irritate sensitive skin.

5. Dry thoroughly: Tumble-dry washable covers and fillings if permitted. High-heat drying not only dries but can reduce microbial survival; however, only use heat levels recommended on the care label to avoid damaging foam. For foam inserts that can’t be tumbled, press out excess water with towels and air-dry in direct sun if practical—sunlight and airflow speed drying and provide some natural disinfecting effect. It’s important that foam be completely dry inside and out; residual moisture encourages mildew and odors.

6. Sanitize non-washables: For beds that can’t be laundered, vacuum thoroughly, treat with an appropriate pet-safe fabric spray or an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled for fabrics (follow label directions), or consider professional steam cleaning. If a dog was sick, consider replacing severely soiled foam or using a mattress liner that can be disinfected.

7. Reassemble and inspect: Before returning a bed to use, smell and press it to confirm no damp spots remain. A final brush or lint-roll over the surface will remove any stray hairs. For dogs sensitive to scents or chemicals, wait until any cleaning-product odors have dissipated.

Cut Down Future Messes with Training and Preventive Habits

Small daily habits greatly extend the time between full washes. Brushing your dog outside before they jump onto their bed removes loose hair and dander at the source. Wiping paws with a towel after muddy walks or keeping a shallow basin and towel by the door makes it easier to reduce transfer of soils.

Use removable, washable covers and a waterproof liner under the top cover to protect the fill; liners take far less time to launder after accidents. Keep an extra cover on hand so you can swap and wash without leaving the dog bed unprotected. Train pets to wait on a wash-ready mat or towel after outdoor play before accessing their bed; a few treats and consistent cueing can teach them to move to a clean surface until they’re dry and brushed.

Cleaning Tools That Make the Job Easier — Machines, Detergents and More

• Fragrance‑free, pet‑safe laundry detergent—avoids skin irritation from heavy perfumes.
• Enzyme stain and odor removers specifically labeled for pet urine and organic soils.
• Vacuum with a pet‑hair attachment and lint rollers for quick hair removal from non-washables.
• Extra washable covers and waterproof mattress liners so you can swap covers without delay.
• A steam cleaner or professional upholstery service for large or non‑washable beds.

When to Consult Your Vet or a Professional Cleaner

Consult your veterinarian if cleaning doesn’t reduce odors or if your dog shows persistent scratching, sores, hair loss, or signs of systemic illness. Your vet can examine the animal for parasites, allergies or skin infections that are likely linked to symptoms and advise on environmental decontamination steps.

For heavily contaminated beds or cases where fleas and eggs have been present, a professional groomer or an upholstery cleaner experienced with pet bedding can offer specialized treatments such as high-heat steaming or replacement recommendations. For chronic or unusual skin conditions I often refer owners to a veterinary dermatologist, who can assess whether the bed environment is perpetuating a medical issue.

Local public health departments or the CDC resources may be useful if there is concern about zoonoses—diseases that can move between pets and people—especially when household members are immunocompromised. When in doubt, a combined approach—thorough cleaning plus professional medical advice—is the safest route.

Sources, Studies and Further Reading

• AVMA: “Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Control” guidance and environmental management recommendations, American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Dermatologic Disorders in Dogs” — discussion of skin infections, parasites and environmental factors.
• American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD): Owner resources on managing pet skin disease and environmental triggers.
• CDC: “Healthy Pets, Healthy People” and guidance on zoonotic disease prevention in the home.
• ASPCA: “Bathing Your Dog” and pet grooming tips that reduce soils transferred to bedding.