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A dog bed that is too big for the washer can still be cleaned. Start by removing loose hair and dirt. Then wash the removable cover, spot-clean stains, and clean the inner bed with a small amount of mild detergent and water. Let every part dry fully before your dog uses it again.
The best method depends on the bed’s care label, fill, and construction. Always check the current manufacturer guidance before soaking, scrubbing, bleaching, or using heat.
If the insert cannot be washed, a carpet cleaner suitable for pet-bed fabric may help with extraction only when both labels permit it.
Check the Care Label First
Look for a sewn-in care tag on the cover, bottom panel, or inside zipper area.
The label may tell you:
- Whether the cover is removable
- Whether the insert can get wet
- Which water temperature to use
- Whether bleach is allowed
- Whether the bed can go in a dryer
- Whether it should be air-dried only
- Whether professional cleaning is recommended
Do not assume the whole bed is washable just because the cover is washable. Foam inserts, bolsters, cedar fill, and glued layers may need different care.
What You Will Need
Gather a few basic supplies before you start:
- Vacuum with an upholstery tool
- Rubber glove or pet-hair brush
- Mild liquid laundry detergent
- Clean cloths or soft sponges
- Soft-bristle brush
- Bucket or large bowl
- Towels
- Drying rack, clean patio surface, or waterproof tarp
- Fan, if drying indoors
Avoid using a large amount of detergent. Thick dog beds can hold soap deep inside the fill, making rinsing difficult.
Step 1: Remove Loose Hair and Dirt
Take the bed outside if possible. Shake it well to loosen crumbs, sand, and dry dirt.
Use a vacuum to clean:
- The sleeping surface
- Seams
- Piping
- Zipper areas
- The underside
- Creases around bolsters
Pet hair often collects deep in fabric. A slightly damp rubber glove can help gather hair that the vacuum misses. Move your hand in one direction to roll the hair into clumps.
Removing dry debris first makes the wet-cleaning step much easier.
Step 2: Remove and Wash the Cover
If the bed has a removable cover, unzip it carefully.
Close any hook-and-loop fasteners before washing. Zip the cover closed unless the care label says otherwise. This may help protect the zipper and keep the fabric from stretching.
Wash the cover according to its care label. A gentle cycle with mild detergent is often a practical choice, but the product instructions should guide you.
Before drying, check whether the cover can handle heat. High heat may shrink some fabrics or damage waterproof layers. Air-drying is often safer when the label is unclear.
Step 3: Spot-Clean Stains
For small stains, you may not need to soak the whole bed.
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with cool or lukewarm water. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and wring it out well.
Blot the stain from the outside toward the center. This helps keep it from spreading.
For dried mud or food marks, use a soft brush with light pressure. Do not scrub so hard that you damage the fabric or push the stain deeper into the fill.
After cleaning, use a second damp cloth to remove detergent residue.
Test the Cleaner First
Test the cleaning mixture on a hidden area before using it on the whole bed. Some fabrics may fade, spot, or change texture when wet.
Step 4: Clean the Inner Bed
The right method depends on what is inside the bed.
Foam Dog Beds
Memory foam and solid foam should not usually be twisted, wrung, or machine-washed unless the manufacturer clearly allows it.
To clean foam:
- Vacuum both sides.
- Blot stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Use as little water as possible.
- Blot again with a clean damp cloth.
- Press dry towels against the foam to pull out moisture.
- Let it air-dry flat in a well-ventilated area.
Do not put foam back into the cover while it is damp. Moisture can stay trapped inside thick foam for a long time.
Fiber-Filled Dog Beds
A fiber-filled bed may be cleaned in a bathtub, shower, large utility sink, or outdoor wash area if the care label allows soaking.
To hand-wash it:
- Fill the tub with enough cool or lukewarm water to wet the bed.
- Add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Press the bed into the water.
- Gently squeeze the fill with your hands.
- Drain the dirty water.
- Refill with clean water.
- Press and rinse until the water looks clear and the soap is gone.
Do not twist the bed. Twisting can cause the fill to bunch up or strain the seams.
Bolster Beds
Bolster beds have raised padded sides. These thick areas can hold water and soap.
Clean each section slowly. Press water through the bolsters instead of scrubbing only the outer fabric. Rinse several times because detergent may collect inside the thick edges.
Beds With Loose Fill
Some dog beds contain loose fiber, shredded foam, cedar chips, or other loose material. Check the care instructions before opening the inner liner.
Do not wash loose fill unless the manufacturer says it is washable. Some materials may clump, break down, or take too long to dry.
Step 5: Rinse Well
Soap left in a dog bed can make the fabric feel stiff and may attract more dirt.
Use clean water and press it through the bed several times. Keep rinsing until:
- The water runs clear
- You no longer see suds
- The bed does not feel slippery
- No strong detergent smell remains
Use less soap at the start so this step is easier.
Step 6: Remove as Much Water as Possible
A large wet dog bed can become very heavy.
Do not lift it by one corner. Support the bed from underneath to reduce strain on the seams.
Press the bed gently against the side of the tub to release water. Then place it between clean towels and press down.
For a thick fiber bed, you may need several dry towels. Replace them as they become wet.
Do not wring foam or heavily padded beds.
Step 7: Dry the Bed Completely
Drying is one of the most important parts of cleaning a large dog bed.
Place the bed flat on a clean drying rack, waterproof tarp, or ventilated surface. Turn it every few hours so both sides get airflow.
You can also:
- Point a fan toward the bed
- Open windows
- Dry it in a shaded outdoor area
- Stand it on its side once it is firm enough
- Press it with dry towels again during the drying process
Direct strong heat may damage foam, waterproof backing, adhesives, or fabric. Follow the care label before using a dryer, heater, or hot setting.
A thick bed may feel dry on the outside while the center is still damp. Press the middle and smell the inner area before putting the cover back on.
How to Clean a Dog Bed Without Soaking It
Some beds should not be fully soaked. In that case, use a surface-cleaning method.
- Vacuum the bed well.
- Mix mild detergent with water.
- Dip a cloth in the mixture and wring it almost dry.
- Wipe the sleeping surface, seams, and sides.
- Blot stains instead of flooding them.
- Wipe again with a clean damp cloth.
- Press with dry towels.
- Let the bed air out until fully dry.
This method works well for routine cleaning, light dirt, and foam beds that should not be saturated.
For odor without a washable insert, use the lower-moisture steps for deodorizing a dog bed without washing.
Cleaning a Dog Bed Outdoors
An outdoor wash area can be useful for very large beds, but avoid using a strong pressure washer. High pressure may tear fabric, damage foam, or force dirt deeper into the fill.
Place the bed on a clean tarp or washable surface. Use a bucket, soft brush, and gentle stream of water.
Keep the bed away from muddy grass while it dries. Flip it often so the underside does not stay wet.
Check local water-use rules and rental policies before washing large items outdoors.
How to Handle Strong Odors
Start by vacuuming the bed and washing the cover.
For the inner bed, use mild detergent and rinse well. Extra detergent does not always remove more odor. It can leave residue instead.
Dry the bed fully in moving air. Trapped moisture can make odors return.
The guides to eliminating dog-bed odor and removing persistent smell from a dog bed help separate surface odor from contamination inside the fill.
Do not mix cleaning products. Avoid applying strong fragrances, disinfectants, bleach, or odor removers unless the product label and dog bed manufacturer both say they are suitable for that material and use.
What to Do With Urine or Vomit
Act quickly when possible.
Use paper towels or clean cloths to blot up as much liquid as you can. Press firmly without rubbing.
Then:
- Check the care label.
- Remove the cover.
- Rinse or blot the affected area with cool water.
- Clean it with mild detergent.
- Rinse away the soap.
- Dry every layer fully.
If liquid has soaked deep into thick foam or loose fill, repeated surface cleaning may not reach the whole area. Check the manufacturer’s replacement guidance for inserts or inner cushions.
The broader guide to the best cleaning method for a dog bed helps match urine, vomit, mud, and routine soil to the bed's construction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Too Much Detergent
Large beds are hard to rinse. A small amount of detergent is usually enough.
Putting a Damp Bed Back Together
Moisture can stay trapped between the cover and insert. Wait until both parts are fully dry.
Using High Heat Without Checking
Heat may shrink covers, warp foam, or damage waterproof backing.
Scrubbing Foam Too Hard
Rough scrubbing can tear or crumble some foam.
Lifting a Soaked Bed by the Fabric
Wet fill is heavy. Support the bed from below.
Ignoring the Center
Always check the thickest part before deciding the bed is dry.
How to Keep a Large Dog Bed Cleaner
A few simple habits can reduce deep-cleaning work.
- Vacuum the bed once a week
- Wash removable covers regularly
- Keep a washable blanket on top
- Wipe muddy paws before bedtime
- Clean spills soon after they happen
- Rotate the bed while it dries
- Keep a second cover for laundry day
- Choose a bed with a removable, washable cover next time
Regular cover care and airflow are the main ways to keep dog beds from stinking. The appropriate dog-bed washing frequency depends on daily use, shedding, and accidents.
For dogs that shed heavily, a smooth woven cover is often easier to vacuum than deep fleece or shag fabric.
When a Laundromat May Help
Some laundromats have oversized machines, but not every machine is suitable for dog beds.
Before using one, check:
- The dog bed’s care label
- The machine’s posted rules
- Whether pet bedding is allowed
- Whether the bed can move freely in the drum
- Whether the machine is large enough when the bed is wet
- Whether the dryer setting is safe for the materials
Do not force a large bed into a machine. Overpacking can prevent proper washing and may damage the bed or appliance.
Before renting an extractor, confirm whether you can use a carpet cleaner on that dog bed without saturating foam or damaging backing.
When to Replace the Bed
Cleaning may not fix every problem.
Consider replacing the bed or inner insert when:
- Foam is breaking apart
- Seams cannot hold the fill
- The bed stays lumpy after drying
- The waterproof liner is badly cracked
- The zipper no longer closes
- The center cannot be cleaned or dried properly
- Strong odor remains deep inside the fill
A replacement cover may be enough if the inner bed is still in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash a large dog bed in the bathtub?
Yes, if the care label says the bed can be soaked. Use a small amount of mild detergent, rinse several times, and support the bed from underneath when moving it.
Can I use a garden hose to clean a dog bed?
A gentle hose stream may work for a washable bed. Avoid strong pressure, which can damage fabric or foam. Wash the bed on a clean surface and let it dry fully.
How long does a large dog bed take to dry?
Drying time depends on the fill, thickness, weather, and airflow. Thick bolsters and foam can stay damp longer than the outer fabric. Keep drying until the center is completely dry.
Can memory foam dog beds get wet?
Some foam can be lightly spot-cleaned, but full soaking may damage it or make it hard to dry. Check the manufacturer guidance before wetting a foam insert.
Can I put a dog bed in the dryer?
Only if the care label allows it. Heat may damage foam, shrink fabric, or affect waterproof layers. Air-drying is safer for many oversized beds.
What detergent should I use for a dog bed?
Use a small amount of mild liquid laundry detergent unless the care label recommends something else. Rinse carefully so no soap remains in the fabric or fill.
How often should I clean a large dog bed?
Vacuum it weekly and wash the cover as needed. Deep-clean the insert when it is dirty, stained, or has a strong odor, following the care instructions.
How can I make a large dog bed easier to clean?
Use a removable washable cover or place a washable blanket over the sleeping area. Regular vacuuming and quick spot-cleaning can also reduce the need for full washing.
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