How to Wash a Dog Bed

How to Wash a Dog Bed: A Comprehensive Guide

Every dog owner knows that with a furry friend comes the inevitable task of cleaning, and one of the often-overlooked items is the dog bed. Let's dive into the basics of washing dog beds.

Understanding Dog Bed Styles

Dog beds generally fall into two categories:

1. Beds with Removable Covers: Designed for ease of cleaning, the protective cover can be washed separately, potentially saving you from washing the entire bed often. However, how frequently you'll need to wash depends on your dog's adventures.

2. Beds Without Removable Covers: These are straightforward - you wash the bed as a whole.

Steps to Clean a Dog Bed

Whether you have a bed with a removable cover or one without, these steps will help you get it squeaky clean:

1. Vacuum the bed thoroughly, using an attachment on the hose that will allow you to get deep into the seams of the bed where dirt, hair and flea larvae can get caught. Use a stiff brush to loosen any hair or dirt as you go.
   
   
2. Spot clean any really dirty bits, urine or faeces stains. You can do this with a pet friendly shampoo. A paste of baking soda and water can be put onto particularly bad stains and left for a while before rinsing off. This has the additional benefit of neutralising odours. Another household odour neutraliser is vinegar, which can be added to the washing and/or rinsing water.
   
   
3. If the bed hasn’t been cleaned for a long time, give it a good long soak in hot soapy water, changing the water if it gets dirty really quickly. Then, make up a quantity of baking soda and water paste, and scrub the bed thoroughly. Use a nail brush, and even a toothbrush, to get right into all the seams and crevices to clean out embedded dirt, hair and other built up grunge. Rinse off your brushes periodically as you go, and when you’ve done it all, rinse well to get all the soda off before washing.
   
   
4. If the bed will fit into your washing machine, wash it on a hot cycle with a dog friendly or low allergen soap powder or liquid. Larger beds can be taken to commercial laundromats. Sometimes it’s worth running the cycle twice, for a thorough clean.
   If it won’t fit in the machine, fill your bathtub with hot soapy water and soak for half an hour to an hour, periodically agitating it by hand. Rinse well, until the water is clear and there are no more soap bubbles.
   Squeeze out as much water as you can – you may need some assistance with this, so try and rope in other family members. Try not to wring it, as that might distort the filling.
   
   
5. Put the bed outside in direct sunlight to dry thoroughly. Turn it a few times through the day to make sure it dries right through.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Bed?

1. Routine Vacuuming: Vacuum the dog bed regularly when you clean your floors to prevent accumulation of dirt and hair.
2. Sun Exposure: Air the bed weekly in sunlight to naturally disinfect it.
3. Washing Frequency: Aim for a thorough wash every two weeks. In between, a damp cloth with vinegar can help maintain cleanliness. Always dry the bed thoroughly after.
4. Odour Control: If the bed begins to smell, baking soda can be your saviour. Sprinkle it generously, leave for a few hours, then vacuum.

Additional Tips:

• Dog Hygiene: By ensuring your dog is clean, especially after outdoor activities, you can extend the time between bed washes.

• Sensitive Dogs: If your dog has allergies, be cautious with cleaning products. Opt for baby or dog-specific products. Vinegar is a gentle choice, and when added to rinse water, helps remove soapy residues.

If after all these steps your dog bed still feels less than fresh, it might be time for a deeper clean or even a replacement.