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A comforter that a dog peed on can usually be saved. Compare the best enzyme cleaners for pet stains on bedding for label-compatible pretreatment. Act quickly, blot the urine, follow the comforter’s care instructions, and dry the fill completely.
Do not put the comforter in the dryer while it still smells. The related guide, How to Remove Dog Stains from Bed?, covers the fabric and cleanup variables behind the related pet or odor problem. Heat can make the odor harder to remove.
Check the Care Label First
Before using any cleaner or starting the washer, read the comforter’s care label.
Look for instructions about:
- Machine washing
- Water temperature
- Bleach
- Drying temperature
- Dry cleaning
- Washer size
Some comforters need gentle washing. Others may be too large for a home washer. Down, wool, silk, weighted, and decorative comforters may have special care needs.
If the label says “dry clean only,” contact a professional cleaner and explain that the stain is pet urine. The related guide, How to Get Pet Stains Out of a Comforter?, covers the fabric and cleanup variables behind the related pet or odor problem. Do not place a urine-soaked comforter in a bag for a long time. A closed bag can hold in moisture and odor.
What You Will Need
Gather a few basic supplies:
- Clean white towels or paper towels
- Cold water
- Liquid laundry detergent
- An enzyme cleaner made for washable fabric
- A large washer
- Dryer balls or clean wool dryer balls, if allowed by the care label
An enzyme cleaner helps break down the material left behind by urine. Check the product label to make sure it can be used on washable fabric. Some pet cleaners are made only for carpet or hard floors.
Test any cleaner on a hidden part of the comforter first. This is especially important for dark colors, printed fabric, and delicate materials.
How to Wash a Comforter That a Dog Peed On
1. Remove the Comforter From the Bed
Take the comforter off the bed as soon as you notice the accident.
Check the sheets, duvet cover, mattress pad, and mattress. Urine can soak through several layers. Wash each affected item according to its own care label.
Keep the wet comforter away from clean bedding and laundry.
2. Blot Up Fresh Urine
Place clean towels over and under the wet area. Press firmly to absorb as much liquid as possible.
Do not scrub the fabric. Scrubbing can spread the urine into a larger area and push it deeper into the fill.
Replace the towels as they become wet. Continue until very little moisture transfers to a clean towel.
3. Rinse the Area With Cold Water
If the care label allows washing, rinse the affected area with cold water.
You can hold the stained section under a faucet, use a bathtub, or pour cold water through the area. The related guide, Can You Wash a Comforter If Stained?, covers care-label and treatment checks before water, products, or heat are added. Work from the back of the fabric when possible so the water pushes the urine out rather than farther into the comforter.
Avoid hot water at this stage. Cold or cool water is usually the safer starting point for a urine stain.
Gently press out extra water. Do not twist or wring the comforter. Wringing can damage the fabric, stitching, or fill.
4. Apply an Enzyme Cleaner
Apply a fabric-safe enzyme cleaner to the stained area. Follow the directions on the product label, including how much to use and how long to leave it on the fabric.
Use enough product to reach the affected fill, not just the outer shell. However, do not soak the entire comforter unless the product instructions allow it.
Do not mix an enzyme cleaner with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or another cleaning product. Mixing cleaners can damage the fabric and may create unsafe fumes.
After the recommended treatment time, rinse the area if the product label tells you to do so.
5. Make Sure the Washer Is Large Enough
A comforter needs room to move during washing. When packed tightly into a small washer, it may not rinse properly. The fill can also bunch up or place too much strain on the machine.
A front-loading washer or a top-loading washer without a center agitator often gives bulky bedding more room. The comforter should fit loosely rather than being forced into the drum.
Use a larger machine at a laundromat when:
- The comforter barely fits in your washer
- The door will not close easily
- The comforter cannot move around
- The comforter is very thick or heavily soaked
- Your washer’s instructions do not allow bulky bedding
Check the washer’s current instructions and capacity guidance before loading the comforter.
6. Wash According to the Care Label
Use the water temperature and cycle listed on the care label. A gentle or bulky-bedding cycle may be suitable, but the label should guide the choice.
Add a normal amount of liquid laundry detergent. Too much detergent can become trapped in thick fill and make rinsing difficult.
Do not pour undiluted detergent directly onto one spot unless the detergent label says this is safe.
Wash the comforter by itself or with only a few compatible items if the machine has enough space. Avoid adding towels to an already full washer. Wet towels can make the load very heavy.
7. Run an Extra Rinse
An extra rinse can help remove detergent, urine residue, and enzyme cleaner from thick bedding.
After the rinse, smell the affected area while the comforter is still wet. Wet fabric may have a mild damp smell, but it should not have a clear urine odor.
If you can still smell urine, repeat the enzyme treatment and wash the comforter again. Do not dry it yet.
8. Dry the Comforter Completely
Check the care label before drying.
If machine drying is allowed, use the recommended heat setting. Low heat is often easier on thick bedding, but some comforters require air drying or another method.
A comforter that a dog peed on can usually be saved; find why bedding still smells after washing by checking load size, detergent residue, odor source, water temperature, rinsing, washer buildup, and drying.
Add dryer balls if the care label and dryer instructions allow them. They can help separate the fill as the comforter tumbles.
Pause the dryer from time to time. Remove the comforter, shake it gently, and separate any clumps with your hands. Return it to the dryer in a different position.
A large comforter may feel dry on the outside while the middle is still damp. Check:
- Corners
- Seams
- Thick quilted sections
- Areas where the fill has gathered
- The spot that was stained
Do not put the comforter back on the bed until it is fully dry. Trapped moisture can lead to a musty smell.
What to Do If the Urine Has Already Dried
A dried urine stain may need more than one treatment.
Start by dampening the area with cold water. Apply a fabric-safe enzyme cleaner according to its directions. Allow the product the full treatment time, then wash the comforter according to the care label.
Do not try to cover the smell with perfume, fabric spray, or heavily scented detergent. Fragrance may hide the odor for a short time without removing the residue.
Repeat the treatment if needed before using the dryer.
Washing Different Types of Comforters
Synthetic-Fill Comforters
Polyester-filled comforters are often machine washable, but always check the label. Use a large washer and avoid high heat unless the manufacturer allows it.
Synthetic fill can trap detergent, so an extra rinse is helpful. Break apart clumps during drying.
Down or Feather Comforters
Down comforters need careful washing and thorough drying. Use only products allowed by the care label. Some enzyme cleaners or regular detergents may not be suitable for natural down.
The fill must dry completely. Damp down can clump and develop an unpleasant smell. A large dryer and repeated low-heat cycles may be needed if machine drying is allowed.
Professional cleaning may be the better choice when the comforter is very large, heavily soiled, or difficult to dry at home.
Wool Comforters
Wool can shrink, felt, or lose its shape when exposed to the wrong wash cycle or heat. Follow the care label closely.
Do not assume that a wool comforter can be machine washed just because the outer fabric looks washable. Some wool comforters require spot cleaning or professional care.
Weighted Comforters
A weighted comforter can become extremely heavy when wet. Many home washers cannot safely handle the weight.
Check both the comforter instructions and the washer’s capacity guidance. Some weighted comforters have a removable cover that can be washed separately. The inner weighted layer may have different care directions.
Comforters With Decorative Trim
Comforters with embroidery, loose stitching, tassels, sequins, or glued decorations may not handle normal washing well.
Test cleaners carefully and use the gentlest method permitted by the care label. Professional cleaning may be safer for delicate construction.
Can You Use Vinegar?
Some people add white vinegar to a rinse cycle to help with odors. However, vinegar should not be mixed directly with enzyme cleaner or bleach.
Vinegar may also affect certain fabrics, dyes, or machine parts. Check the comforter label, cleaner directions, and washer instructions before using it.
An enzyme product made for washable fabric is usually the more direct choice for treating pet urine residue.
Can You Use Bleach?
Do not use bleach unless the comforter’s care label clearly allows it.
Chlorine bleach can weaken fabric, remove color, and damage some types of fill. It should never be mixed with ammonia, vinegar, enzyme products, or other cleaners.
A color-safe laundry product may still be unsuitable for some comforters. Check both labels before use.
Mistakes to Avoid
Drying Before the Smell Is Gone
Check the comforter after washing and before drying. If the urine smell remains, treat and wash it again.
Using Too Much Detergent
Extra detergent does not always mean extra cleaning. It can become trapped inside the comforter and leave the fabric stiff or soapy.
Stuffing the Comforter Into a Small Washer
An overfilled washer may not clean or rinse the comforter evenly. It can also leave the fill lumpy.
Scrubbing the Stain
Hard scrubbing can spread the urine and damage the outer fabric. Blot and rinse instead.
Mixing Cleaning Products
Use one treatment method at a time. Follow each product’s directions and rinse when required before using another product.
Putting a Damp Comforter Back on the Bed
Thick bedding can stay wet inside for a long time. Check several sections before deciding it is dry.
How to Protect the Bed From Future Accidents
A washable duvet cover can make cleanup easier. It acts as a removable outer layer around a duvet insert or comforter.
You can also use:
- A washable mattress protector
- A waterproof layer placed under the fitted sheet
- A washable pet blanket on top of the bed
- Spare bedding for quick changes
Check product listings and care labels before buying. Some waterproof layers feel warmer or make more noise than regular bedding.
Washable top layers are useful for puppies, older dogs, guest beds, kids’ rooms, and homes where pets sleep on the bed.
When to Replace the Comforter
Many urine accidents can be cleaned, but replacement may be more practical when:
- The urine soaked through a large part of the fill
- The odor remains after several careful washes
- The fabric or stitching was damaged
- The fill stays badly clumped
- The comforter cannot be washed or professionally cleaned
- The comforter cannot be dried completely
Do not keep using a comforter that remains damp or strongly smells after cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a dog-pee comforter straight into the washing machine?
It is better to blot and rinse the affected area first. Pretreating with a fabric-safe enzyme cleaner can also help. Always follow the comforter’s care label and make sure the washer is large enough.
What water temperature should I use for dog urine?
Start by rinsing the stain with cold water. For the full wash, use the temperature listed on the comforter’s care label. Avoid using hot water as the first treatment.
Why does the comforter still smell after washing?
Urine may remain deep in the fill, the washer may have been too crowded, or the comforter may not have rinsed fully. Treat the area again with a suitable enzyme cleaner and rewash it before drying.
Can I use regular laundry detergent instead of enzyme cleaner?
Laundry detergent can clean general dirt, but it may not fully remove pet urine residue from thick fill. A fabric-safe enzyme cleaner can be used as a pretreatment when permitted by the comforter’s care label.
Can I dry the comforter outside?
You can air-dry it if the care label allows. Spread it so air can reach both sides, turn it often, and break up clumps. Make sure the inside is completely dry before bringing it back to the bed.
Is a laundromat washer better for a large comforter?
A large commercial washer may clean and rinse a bulky comforter more evenly than a small home machine. Choose a machine large enough for the comforter to move freely and follow the machine’s posted instructions.
Should I wash the bedding under the comforter too?
Yes. Check the sheets, duvet cover, blanket, mattress pad, and mattress for moisture. Wash each affected item according to its own care label.
How Do You Wash a Comforter That Is Too Big for the Washer?. What Can I Add to My Laundry to Get Rid of Dog Smell?. Is It Better to Dry Clean or Machine Wash a Down Comforter?.
