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A dog bed used every night should generally have its washable sleeping surface cleaned about weekly. Wash it sooner if it smells, looks dirty, collects a lot of hair, or gets wet from muddy paws, drool, or accidents.
Beds with removable covers are easier to manage. Wash the cover weekly; clean the inner cushion on the maker's schedule or sooner if soil or moisture reaches it. Always check the care label before washing, drying, bleaching, or using heat.
A Simple Dog Bed Washing Schedule
A practical schedule for a bed used every night is:
- Every few days: Remove loose hair and dirt.
- Every week: Clean the removable cover or other washable sleeping surface.
- As directed or when soiled: Clean the insert or full bed only by a method its care instructions allow.
- Right away: Clean spills, urine, vomit, mud, or other messes.
This schedule is only a starting point. A small indoor dog may keep a bed clean longer than a large dog that plays outside each day.
For an easier-to-reset top layer, compare bedspreads chosen for pet-owning homes.
When to Wash the Bed More Often
Some dog beds need cleaning more than once a week.
Your dog sleeps outdoors or gets muddy
Dirt, grass, sand, and moisture can build up quickly. Shake or vacuum the bed often, and wash it whenever the fabric starts to look dull or dirty.
Your dog sheds a lot
Loose hair can collect in the seams and stick to fleece or plush fabric. Remove hair between washes so it does not clog your washer or cover the rest of your laundry.
Your dog drools
Drool can leave damp spots and odors. A washable cover or thin blanket placed over the bed can make cleanup easier.
Your dog has accidents
Wash soiled covers and bedding as soon as possible. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for safe cleaning methods. Make sure the bed is fully dry before your dog uses it again.
If your dog is ill or has parasites, ask the veterinarian whether the bed needs a disease-specific cleaning schedule. Some infections require daily cleaning and disinfection during treatment; ordinary weekly care is not a substitute for that guidance.
More than one pet uses the bed
A shared bed usually collects hair, dirt, and odor faster. Weekly washing may be more practical.
When the Insert May Go Longer Between Cleanings
The inner cushion may need cleaning less often than the weekly cover when:
- Your dog is mostly indoors.
- Paws are wiped after outdoor walks.
- The bed has a washable cover.
- Your dog does not shed much.
- There are no stains, damp areas, or odors.
- You remove hair and crumbs between washes.
This does not extend the weekly cleaning schedule for the washable sleep surface. Clean the insert promptly if liquid, odor, dirt, or an accident reaches it.
When brushing is not enough, pet-hair removers for bedding can help with embedded strands.
How to Keep a Dog Bed Cleaner Between Washes
Small habits can reduce how often the whole bed needs to go into the washer.
Vacuum or remove hair
Use a vacuum attachment, lint roller, rubber pet-hair brush, or damp cloth. Pay attention to seams, corners, and the area under the bed.
Shake it outside
A quick shake can remove crumbs, dry dirt, and loose hair. This works well for lightweight beds and removable covers.
Wipe your dog’s paws
Keep a towel near the door and wipe wet or muddy paws before bedtime.
Add a washable blanket
Place a small blanket or towel over the main sleeping area. Wash this layer every few days while keeping the bed underneath cleaner.
Choose a layer that lies flat and does not bunch up around your dog.
Rotate between two covers
A spare cover lets your dog keep using the bed while the other cover is being washed and dried.
How to Wash a Dog Bed
Cleaning steps depend on the bed’s materials and construction. Some beds can go in a washing machine. Others must be spot cleaned or hand washed.
For washable and non-washable surfaces, compare fabric deodorizers suited to bedding.
1. Read the care label
Check whether the cover, cushion, foam, or entire bed can be machine washed. Also check the recommended water temperature and drying method.
Memory foam and solid foam inserts often need different care from polyester-filled cushions. Do not place an insert in the washer unless the manufacturer says it is safe.
2. Remove loose hair
Vacuum, brush, or shake off as much hair as possible before washing. This helps protect the washer and allows water to reach the fabric more evenly.
3. Remove the cover
Close zippers before washing unless the care instructions say otherwise. Check seams and corners for trapped hair or dirt.
4. Treat visible spots
Use a cleaning product that is suitable for the fabric and follow its instructions. Test it on a hidden area first when needed.
Avoid mixing cleaning products. Do not use bleach unless the care label allows it.
5. Wash according to the label
Do not force a large dog bed into a small washer. The bed needs room to move, rinse, and spin properly.
A large bed may need a high-capacity washer. Check the machine’s guidance before washing bulky bedding.
6. Dry it fully
A bed that stays damp inside can develop an unpleasant smell. Follow the care label for tumble drying or air drying.
Thick cushions may take much longer to dry than the outer fabric. Turn or rotate them during air drying so moisture does not stay trapped in one area.
What Can Go Wrong During Washing
The bed loses its shape
Loose filling may clump or shift during washing. Check the label before machine washing, and reshape the bed while it is still slightly damp.
The cover shrinks
High heat can shrink some fabrics or damage waterproof backing. Use only the heat level listed on the care label.
The foam tears
Foam inserts can become heavy and fragile when wet. Spot clean them unless the manufacturer provides different instructions.
The zipper breaks
Do not pull a tight cover over a cushion while either part is damp. Let both pieces dry fully before putting the bed back together.
The washer becomes unbalanced
Large or water-heavy beds can make a washer shake or stop. Do not wash a bed that is too large for the machine.
Choosing a Dog Bed That Is Easier to Wash
For a dog that uses the bed every night, look for practical features such as:
- A removable, machine-washable cover
- A strong zipper
- A spare cover option
- Smooth fabric that releases hair easily
- A moisture-resistant inner liner
- Separate cushion and cover care instructions
- A size that fits your washer
Plush beds may feel soft, but long fabric can hold more hair. One-piece stuffed beds may be simple to use but harder to wash and dry. Large foam beds are often easiest to manage when they have a removable cover and protective inner liner.
Organic stains need the right treatment, so review enzyme cleaners for compatible bedding fabrics.
Check the current product listing and care instructions before choosing a bed.
For a quilt specifically, use the steps for lifting dog hair without roughening the fabric.
Between full washes, follow a low-moisture dog-bed refresh routine.
When replacing worn fill or covers, use the dog-bedding safety guide to check exposed filling, chewing, sizing, and temperature.
For the broader bed setup, see which bedding surfaces release pet hair most easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is washing a dog bed once a month enough?
Once a month is longer than the CDC's example schedule for pet beds. For a bed used every night, clean the removable cover or other washable sleeping surface about weekly and address messes immediately.
Should I wash the dog bed cover every week?
A weekly wash is a good schedule for a removable cover, especially if your dog sheds, drools, or brings dirt indoors. Clean covers also help protect the cushion underneath.
Can I wash a dog bed in a regular washing machine?
You can wash it in a regular machine only if the care label allows it and the bed fits without being packed tightly. Large beds may need a higher-capacity machine.
Can memory foam dog beds be machine washed?
Solid memory foam usually should not be machine washed unless the manufacturer says it can be. Remove and wash the cover, then clean the foam according to its care instructions.
How do I know when a dog bed needs washing?
Wash the bed when it smells, has visible stains, feels damp, holds a thick layer of hair, or has dirt in the seams. Clean accidents and wet messes right away.
Should I wash a new dog bed before use?
Check the product instructions first. Some removable covers can be washed before use, while some beds need time to expand or air out after unpacking.
How long should a dog bed take to dry?
Drying time depends on the bed’s thickness, filling, fabric, and drying method. A cover may dry quickly, while a thick cushion can take much longer. Make sure every layer is fully dry before use.
Some Febreze fabric refreshers can be used on a dog bed. You can freshen up a dog bed without washing it by removing hair, shaking out loose dirt, spot-cleaning marks, and airing the bed in a dry place. How often should you vacuum your bed?
