How to Wash Dog Bedding (Without Ruining It)

Last Updated: March 18, 2026 Reading Time: 5 minutes

Quick Answer

Wash dog bedding weekly in hot water with enzyme-based detergent. Remove excess hair before washing, use a pet-safe detergent, and add white vinegar to the rinse cycle to neutralize odors. Dry completely on high heat to kill bacteria. Most dog beds have removable covers — wash the cover separately from the insert for best results.

Why Dog Bedding Gets So Gross

Dog beds accumulate:

• Hair and dander — constant shedding
• Skin oils — dogs have sebaceous glands that coat their coat
• Saliva — from licking, chewing, drooling
• Dirt and outdoor debris — transferred from paws and coat
• Pee and poop residue — even housetrained dogs track trace amounts
• Bacteria and yeast — from all of the above

Your dog's bed is essentially a sponge for everything they carry on their body. Without regular washing, it becomes a source of odor and a reservoir for bacteria.

The Weekly Washing Routine

Before the Wash

• Take the bed outside and shake vigorously
• Use a rubber squeegee or lint roller on the cover
• Vacuum the insert if it's not washable
• Machine washable: Proceed
• Hand wash only: Use bathtub with pet-safe detergent
• Spot clean only: This is a "cover only" bed — wash the cover, replace the insert annually
• Apply enzyme cleaner to any visible stains
• Let sit 15 minutes before washing

Washing

Temperature: Hot water (130°F+) if the fabric allows. Hot water kills bacteria and dust mites. Check the care label — some synthetic fills can't handle hot water.

Detergent: Use a pet-safe, enzyme-based detergent. Regular detergent cleans; enzymes break down organic matter (oils, saliva, traces of waste).

• Baking soda: 1/2 cup for extra odor neutralization
• White vinegar: 1 cup in the rinse cycle (softens, reduces static, removes detergent residue)

Cycle: Normal or heavy-duty. Dog bedding is sturdy — it can handle agitation.

Drying

High heat: If the care label allows, dry on high heat. This kills any remaining bacteria and dust mites.

Dry completely: Damp bedding breeds mold and mildew. If the insert is thick, it may need extra drying time. Err on the side of over-drying.

Tennis balls in the dryer: Put 2–3 clean tennis balls in the dryer with the bedding. They bounce around and help break up clumps in the filling, restoring fluffiness.

Non-Washable Beds

Some dog beds can't go in the washer (orthopedic foam, large sizes, "spot clean only" labels).

Maintenance for Non-Washable Beds

Weekly: 1. Vacuum thoroughly with upholstery attachment 2. Spot-clean visible stains with enzyme cleaner 3. Spray with fabric refresher (pet-safe, enzyme-based) 4. Air out in sunlight when possible (UV light kills bacteria)

Monthly: 1. Remove cover if possible, wash cover only 2. Sprinkle baking soda on foam insert, let sit 1 hour, vacuum 3. Steam clean the foam (no detergent, just steam)

Replace annually: Non-washable foam inserts should be replaced every 12 months. They accumulate odor and bacteria that surface cleaning can't reach.

Deodorizing Between Washes

Baking soda sprinkle: 1. Sprinkle liberally over the bed 2. Let sit 1–2 hours 3. Vacuum thoroughly

• Light mist of enzyme-based fabric refresher
• Let air dry
• Safe for daily use
• Put the bed outside in direct sunlight for 2–3 hours
• UV rays kill bacteria
• Fresh air helps dissipate odors

How Often Should You Wash?

Dog Type Frequency

---------- -----------

Single indoor dog, no skin issues Weekly

Multiple dogs Twice weekly

Dog with skin allergies/infections Every 2–3 days

Outdoor/working dog Twice weekly

Senior dog (incontinence risk) Every 2–3 days

Puppy (accident risk) Every 2–3 days

The sniff test: If you can smell the bed from 3 feet away, it's overdue.

Buying Washable Dog Beds

If you're shopping for a new bed, prioritize washability:

• Removable, machine-washable cover
• Cover zips off easily
• Durable fabric (canvas, microfiber, heavy-duty polyester)
• Care label says "machine wash warm or hot"
• "Spot clean only"
• Non-removable covers
• Delicate fabrics (silk, velvet, light-colored materials)
• Beds with complicated construction (hard to reassemble after washing)

FAQ

Can I wash dog bedding with human laundry? Yes, but wash dog items separately from human underwear and towels. Dog bedding carries different bacteria. If you must combine, use hot water and bleach (for whites) or color-safe bleach.

My washing machine smells like dog after washing the bed. How do I fix it? Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups white vinegar or washing machine cleaner. Leave the washer door open between uses to dry out.

• Rewash with enzyme detergent specifically
• Soak in enzyme solution for 1 hour before washing
• Sun-dry if possible — UV helps
• If smell persists, the filling is contaminated — replace the bed

Can I dry clean dog beds? Not recommended. Dry cleaning chemicals can be toxic to pets. Stick to washing or replace the bed.

Bottom Line

Weekly hot water washes with enzyme detergent keep dog bedding clean, odor-free, and healthy. Remove hair before washing, use vinegar in the rinse, and dry completely. For non-washable beds, vacuum weekly, replace annually. Your dog spends 12–14 hours a day on that bed — make sure it's not a bacteria sponge.