Here's how to wash a dog bed: remove loose hair, check the care tag, then machine-wash the removable cover on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and air-dry it or tumble on low. Foam inserts never go in the washer. Vacuum and spot-clean them instead, then let them dry completely before re-covering.
That covers most beds, but the details change with the material. Below is a material-by-material care table, a step-by-step routine and fixes for the tricky cases: beds without removable covers, foam inserts, cooling pads and urine odor.
How often should you wash a dog bed?
Weekly is a sensible default for the cover. Dog beds collect hair, dander, dirt and, in flea season, eggs and larvae. Oklahoma State University Extension lists the pet's bedding among the main places in a home that support flea development, and Mississippi State University Extension advises washing pet bedding and vacuuming where pets rest, noting that weekly cleaning is essential to control fleas.
Wash right away after accidents, vomiting or a muddy walk. Between washes, a quick de-hair every few days keeps the bed fresher and makes laundry day easier.
Step 1: De-hair the bed before washing
This is the step most guides skip, and your washing machine will thank you for it. Consumer Reports advises reducing pet hair on bedding before it goes into the washer, because wet clumps of hair can clog drain pumps. Its tips include running bedding through a 10-minute, no-heat dryer cycle, shaking it out, then washing, and cleaning the dryer's lint filter after every load.
- Brush or wipe off surface hair outdoors. A rubber tool like the Double-Sided Pet Hair Remover Pad sweeps fur off plush in short strokes, with no sticky sheets to replace.
- Vacuum seams and corners with an upholstery tool.
- Add hair catchers to the wash. The Pet Hair Catcher for Laundry comes as a 4-pack of reusable traps that collect loose hair during the cycle; use several for bulky bedding.
- Wipe the drum, door and gasket with a damp cloth after the load, as Consumer Reports suggests, so leftover hair doesn't end up on your next load of clothes.
Dog bed care table by material
Always follow the care tag first. When there isn't one, use this as a starting point:
| Material or part | Machine wash? | Wash settings | Drying | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removable plush or jacquard cover | Yes | Gentle, cool or warm, mild detergent; zip closed, turn inside out | Air-dry or tumble low | Zipping prevents snags and protects the teeth |
| Poly-fill (stuffed) bed, no cover | If it fits loosely | Gentle or bulky cycle, extra rinse | Tumble low with dryer balls; break up clumps | Too big? Bathtub or laundromat |
| Memory or egg-crate foam insert | No | Vacuum, spot-clean, blot | Air-dry fully, flip often | Agitation and heat break foam down |
| Fleece, sherpa or coral fleece mat | Yes | Gentle, cool, no fabric softener | Tumble low or air-dry | Softener can coat fibers and trap hair |
| Ice-silk or cool-touch pad | Usually yes | Gentle, cool, wash bag helps | Air-dry; avoid high heat | Heat can dull the smooth cooling surface |
| Waterproof liner or backing | Check tag | Gentle, cool | Air-dry or lowest heat | High heat can crack or delaminate coatings |
| Foam crate pad with cover | Cover only | As removable cover | Air-dry foam separately | Re-cover only when both are fully dry |
Dog blankets, throws and hair in the laundry
Blankets and throws that live on the dog bed or the sofa hold even more hair than covers, because loose weaves trap fur deep in the fibers. The same rules apply, with a few extras:
- Shake outdoors, then tumble first. The no-heat dryer pass Consumer Reports recommends works especially well on fleece and knit throws, pulling hair into the lint filter before the blanket ever gets wet.
- Wash dog laundry separately from your clothes and towels, so stray hair doesn't transfer.
- Don't overload. Bulky blankets need room to move for hair to rinse away; two medium throws per load is plenty for most machines.
- Run an empty rinse cycle afterward if you notice hair left in the drum, then wipe the gasket.
- Finish with a quick brush. Any fur that survives the wash comes off dry fabric easily with a rubber pad.
How to wash a dog bed with a removable cover
Most modern beds, including bolster and sofa styles, have zip-off covers. Here's the routine:
- De-hair the cover while it's still on the bed (it's easier on a firm surface).
- Unzip and remove the insert. Set foam aside for spot-cleaning.
- Pretreat stains. For urine or vomit, use an enzymatic cleaner and let it sit as the label directs.
- Zip the cover closed and turn it inside out. This protects the plush face and the zipper.
- Wash gently in cool or warm water with a mild, fragrance-free detergent, plus a couple of hair catchers. Add an extra rinse if your dog has sensitive skin.
- Dry low or flat. Tumble on low or lay it flat; check that seams are fully dry.
- Clean the machine. Wipe the gasket and empty the lint filter.
How to wash a dog bed with stuffing and no removable cover
Stuffed beds without covers are the hardest to clean, but most can be done at home:
- If it fits your washer loosely: use a front-loader or a top-loader without a center agitator if you can, choose a gentle or bulky cycle and add an extra rinse. Wash on its own so it can move freely.
- If it doesn't fit: fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and mild detergent, press and knead the bed, drain, then rinse until the water runs clear. Press out water; don't wring. A laundromat's large-capacity machine is a good alternative.
- Drying: tumble on low with dryer balls, stopping every so often to break up clumps of filling by hand. Air-drying works too, but turn the bed regularly so the center dries.
How to clean foam inserts
Foam is the part that gets ruined most often. Washing machines twist and tear it, and dryer heat can make it crumble. Instead:
- Vacuum both sides thoroughly.
- Spot-clean with a cloth dampened in water and a little mild detergent. Blot; don't soak.
- For urine, apply an enzymatic cleaner to the affected area, then blot.
- Press out moisture with dry towels, then air-dry in a well-ventilated spot, flipping every few hours. Indirect sunlight helps freshen it.
- Re-cover only when the foam is completely dry inside, or it can develop a musty smell.
Beds with a removable foam core make this much simpler. The Memory Foam Dog Bed Mattress has an egg-crate foam core and a zip-off plush cover, in XS (19.7 × 15.7 in), S (29.5 × 19.7 in) and M (35.4 × 27.6 in). Foam crate pads work the same way; if you're sizing one, see our dog crate size chart.
Urine, vomit and lingering odor
Ordinary detergent doesn't always break down urine. The Anti-Cruelty Society suggests adding a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent for washable items, then re-washing with an enzymatic cleaner if the smell remains. It explains that enzymatic cleaners neutralize pet odors by breaking down pet waste, and advises avoiding harsh chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Consumer Reports adds that repeated vinegar use can damage washing machines.
If your dog has started having accidents on its bed, talk to your vet to rule out a medical cause, and add a washable, waterproof layer under the cover in the meantime.
Drying without shrinking or damage
Heat is the enemy of most bed materials. Plush can mat, waterproof coatings can crack and foam can crumble. Use the lowest dryer setting or air-dry, and stop the dryer while covers are still slightly damp so they can finish flat.
Stretch covers back into shape while damp, close the zipper before drying so the cover holds its form, and never put a cover back on a damp insert. On a sunny day, drying flat on a rack outdoors is gentle on fabric and helps freshen it.
Buying a dog bed that's easy to wash
If laundry day is a struggle, the bed may be the problem. When you shop, look for:
- A zip-off cover that goes in the washer. The Plush Dog Sofa Bed has a zip-off cover for hand or machine washing, and the Jacquard Plush Dog Bed cover unzips and goes straight into the machine.
- A removable insert so foam never sees the washer.
- A size your machine can handle. Check your drum before buying a large one-piece bed.
- A secondary washable layer on top for quick swaps. Thin pads like the Ice Silk Cooling Pad are machine washable, quick to dry and can sit on top of a bed in summer.
Our guide to choosing the right dog bed size covers measuring and sleep styles, and you can filter washable options in our dog beds collection. For hair that escapes the bed and ends up on car seats, see how to get dog hair out of your car.
If your dog has started having accidents on its bed, our guide to why dogs pee on beds walks through causes and next steps.
A comfortable, clean bed is also your best tool if you want to keep dogs off the couch.
Frequently asked questions
How to wash dog bed without removable cover in washing machine?
First check the care tag and make sure the whole bed fits loosely in the drum; if it is jammed in, it won't rinse clean. Vacuum off hair, pretreat stains, then wash on a gentle or bulky cycle with mild detergent and an extra rinse. Tumble dry on low with a few dryer balls to fluff the filling, or air-dry completely before your dog uses it again.
How to wash a dog bed with stuffing?
Stuffed poly-fill beds can usually be machine washed if they fit: use a gentle cycle, cool or warm water per the tag, mild detergent and an extra rinse. Dry on low heat with dryer balls, stopping to break up clumps of filling by hand. If the bed is too big, hand-wash it in a bathtub or use a large-capacity laundromat machine.
How to clean foam inserts of dog bed?
Never put foam in the washer or dryer, because agitation and heat can tear and crumble it. Vacuum both sides, then spot-clean with a cloth dampened in mild detergent and water, blotting rather than soaking. For urine, use an enzymatic cleaner. Press out moisture with towels and air-dry the foam completely, flipping it, before zipping the cover back on.
How often should you wash your dog's bed?
Weekly is a sensible default for the washable cover, especially for dogs that sleep on your furniture or go outside a lot. During flea control, Mississippi State University Extension calls weekly cleaning essential, along with vacuuming where pets rest. Wash immediately after accidents, vomiting or a muddy day, and deep-clean the full bed every few months.
Knowing how to wash a dog bed is easier when the bed is built for it. Browse our dog beds with zip-off, machine-washable covers, and add a pack of laundry hair catchers to your order. Orders over $79 ship free.