How to Wash Your Dog's Bed

Author: Kate Amore, dog owner and pet health enthusiast. 

I have a husky malamute mix that sheds A LOT of fur. I swear I have to vacuum my living room almost everyday! While vacuuming keeps the carpet looking clean, his dog bed needs more TLC to keep it spotless. That’s why I started cleaning his bed in the laundry machine once a week. It helps eliminate odors, allergens, and bacteria that can accumulate over time, and I can tell my dog loves sleeping in a freshly cleaned bed. Here are some of my tips and tricks to washing your dog's bed with HeySunday laundry sheets. 

Check the Care Instructions

Before you begin, always check the tag on the dog bed. Some dog beds may have specific washing instructions, including temperature settings and whether the bed can be machine washed.

Remove Loose Hair and Debris

First I shake the bed out in my backyard to get all the loose dirt and hair off. Then I use the vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to get into crevices and pick up any stubborn hair. You want to remove as much fur as possible so it doesn’t clog your machine (especially if you have a husky). 

Disassemble the Bed (if you can)

If the bed has a removable cover, unzip or unbutton it and separate the cover from the stuffing. This will ensure a thorough clean for both parts. If the bed is one piece, you can wash it as is, but be mindful of its size. Since my husky is so big, I purposefully bought him a bed with a removable cover because a one-piece definitely would not fit in my machine. 

Throw in your HeySunday laundry sheets

HeySunday has gentle, pet-safe ingredients. I put 1 ocean breeze scented sheet in with my dog bed. I usually wash the bed by itself because I don’t want any fur getting on other materials. If you have a small dog bed you’re washing by itself, you can rip the sheet in half. 

Wash the Bed

Machine Wash: If the bed cover is machine washable, place it in the washing machine. I use  a gentle cycle with warm water, but be sure to the care label for specific instructions. 

Hand Wash: If the bed is not machine washable, fill a bathtub or large basin with warm water and throw your laundry sheet in. The sheet dissolves in about 6 seconds. I like to use a stiff scrub brush to make sure all the dirt and hairs come out of the material. I then rinse it–I like to take it to my backyard and hose it down. 

Dry the Bed

Air Dry: For both covers and the stuffing, air drying is often the best option. It helps make sure nothing gets damaged, and preserves the material over time. 

Machine Dry: If the care instructions allow, you can use a dryer on a low heat setting. Adding dryer balls can help fluff the stuffing and prevent clumping. Always make sure the best is completely dry before you take it out. 

Reassemble the Bed

Once everything is dry, reassemble the bed. If you’ve used a removable cover, make sure it fits snugly over the stuffing. Give it a good shake to fluff it up and restore its shape.

Regular Maintenance

As I am a bit crazy about fur in my house, I wash my dog’s bed once a week, but 2-4 weeks is good too. Regularly vacuuming the bed in between washes can also help maintain cleanliness.

Conclusion

Once you get in the routine of washing the dog bed it becomes very easy. One of the best things I’ve added to my chore list! Regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of the bed but also keeps your home smelling fresh. Happy washing!