How to Wash a Dog Bed So the Pee Smell Doesn’t Come Back

What should you do before washing a dog bed?

Before washing a dog bed, read the care labels on the cover and the insert. Then get the loose fur off, because wet hair clumps and can clog your washer. The free Pet Hair Removal Finder suggests where to start on beds and blankets.

The CDC notes that most pet items have cleaning instructions on the packaging or tags. Many covers allow a warm machine wash. Many foam inserts allow spot cleaning only. Check every seam and zipper for chew holes while you are there.

How do you get dog hair off a bed before washing?

The AKC warns that hair mixed with water clumps up and can clog your machine. So the fur comes off dry, in this order:

• Vacuum first. Use an upholstery tool on the surface, seams and sides.
• Wipe with damp rubber gloves. The AKC suggests rubber or latex gloves to lift what the vacuum missed.
• Finish with tape. A lint roller or a strip of masking tape grabs the last strands.
• Vacuum between washes. The AKC says to vacuum the surface, crevices and sides of the bed between washings.

LoveMyPuppy sells the kit and the washer tablets mentioned in this guide. This is general care information, not veterinary advice.

How do you wash a dog bed cover in the washing machine?

Unzip the dog bed cover, pretreat stains, and wash it in the warmest water its label allows. Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent and one extra rinse.

Let the care label set the temperature. Whole Dog Journal says to wash in hot water with a pet-safe detergent when the label allows. Use cold if the label calls for it. The AKC adds that high-temperature programs can kill germs and parasites. So warm wins when the fabric can take it.

The CDC says dye-free, fragrance-free detergents may be a better choice for sensitive skin. Keep pods up high, too. The ASPCA warns that laundry detergent pods pose serious dangers to pets.

How do you wash a dog bed with pee on it?

To wash a dog bed with pee on it, blot first, rinse with lukewarm water, then apply an enzyme cleaner. Wash only after the cleaner has worked.

Skip the regular spray cleaner. Whole Dog Journal notes that enzyme products remove traces of urine, vomit and feces. An enzyme cleaner breaks the odor down instead of covering it with perfume. Give it the full time its label asks for before you wash.

Still smell it? Treat the spot with the enzyme cleaner again, then rewash. Your nose is the test, and so is your puppy’s.

Which cleaning method fits your dog bed?

Match the method to what is inside the dog bed. Covers go in the washer, foam gets spot cleaned, and sewn-shut beds go in the tub.

Whole Dog Journal suggests sprinkling baking soda on the dry bed, waiting half an hour, then vacuuming. It also suggests an inner liner to protect the mattress under a removable cover. The next accident then soaks the part you can wash.

How do you hand wash a dog bed in the bathtub?

Soak the dog bed in warm water with a pet-safe detergent, knead it, then rinse until no suds remain. Squeeze, don’t wring, and dry it fully.

1. Vacuum it first. Loose hair in a tub turns into a drain clog.
2. Pre-soak if it stinks. Whole Dog Journal suggests warm water with 1/2 cup baking soda for 30 minutes.
3. Wash in soapy water. Refill with warm water and pet-safe detergent. The AKC adds a cup of vinegar. No tub big enough? The AKC suggests an outdoor kids’ pool.
4. Knead it. Press and squeeze the bed through the water. Scrub stains with baking soda and a soft brush.
5. Rinse until clear. Drain and refill until no soap or bubbles appear.
6. Squeeze, don’t wring. Roll it in big towels and stand on them. Wringing clumps the stuffing.
7. Clean the tub after. The AKC says to disinfect the tub and avoid the kitchen sink, where you prepare food.

Is it safe to wash a dog bed with vinegar?

Yes, plain white vinegar is a common, gentle helper for dog bed odor. For pee spots, still use an enzyme cleaner, since household cleaners don’t remove urine odor.

• In the tub: the AKC adds about a cup of vinegar to warm, soapy water.
• Between washes: Whole Dog Journal suggests wiping the bed with equal parts vinegar and warm water.
• Washer reset: after a very dirty load, the AKC suggests an empty cycle. Add 1 to 2 cups of vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda.

How often should you wash a dog bed?

Wash the dog bed cover once a week, and right away after any accident. During potty training, crate pads may need washing several times a week.

• Right awayAfter pee, poop or vomit. The longer it sits, the deeper the smell goes.
• Every weekCovers, blankets and crate pads. The CDC says to clean pet beds every week.
• Every 2 to 3 weeksA deep clean of the whole bed while you are fighting fleas, per the EPA.
• Every monthAn empty clean-washer cycle, so pet odor stays out of your next load.

Two crate pads make the weekly rule easy. One dries while the other is in use, so your puppy is never stuck on a damp bed.

Wash more often if anyone at home has allergies. The AKC notes dog beds collect dander and dust mites that can worsen allergies.

What if your puppy has fleas or gets sick?

Fleas and stomach bugs change the rules for washing a dog bed. Wash bedding hot, dry it hot if the label allows, and throw out anything heavily soiled.

How do you clean a dog bed with fleas?

In one study, researchers found fleas in 14% of pets’ sleeping places, outside peak flea season. The AKC notes fleas lay most of their eggs at night. So a bed can fill up fast.

The EPA advises deep cleaning dog beds every two to three weeks during an infestation. It also recommends discarding bedding that is heavily infested. Ask your vet which flea treatment is safe for your puppy’s age and weight.

How do you clean a dog bed after parvo or a stomach bug?

The CDC says to clean and disinfect soft items like beds in the washing machine and dryer. To disinfect, it advises the dryer’s highest heat for 30 minutes. If the label rules out high heat, ask your vet what to do.

Can you put a dog bed in the dryer?

A dog bed cover can usually tumble dry on low if its label allows. Foam and thick fiber beds should air dry, because fillings can clump and heat can damage foam.

• Air dry the thick stuff. The AKC says air drying is usually best, because some fillings clump in the dryer.
• Keep foam out of a hot dryer. Air dry it instead, and press test it before it goes back in the cover.
• Use shade or a fan. Whole Dog Journal suggests drying outdoors in the shade or indoors with a blowing fan.
• Do the deep-press test. Press a hand into the thickest part. If it feels cool, give it more time.

Patience pays here. The AKC says a damp bed encourages mold and mildew. A musty bed smells like a reason to pee again.

How do you get dog hair out of the washer afterward?

Wipe loose hair from the drum and rubber seal, let the machine dry, then run an empty cleaning cycle. Regular washer cleans keep odor out of your next load. Still musty? Our guide to why a washing machine smells covers each smell and its fix.

1. Wipe the seal. The AKC says to check the filter and wipe the rubber seal after the cycle.
2. Run an empty rinse. For a very dirty bed, the AKC suggests an empty cycle with white vinegar and bicarbonate soda.
3. Clean the washer regularly. Fur and odor from a dog bed load can linger in the drum.

When should you replace the bed or call your vet?

Replace the dog bed when it still smells after a full clean, or when chewing has opened the foam. Call your vet if accidents suddenly increase.

The AKC says a bed that still smells funky after washing may need replacing. For crate accidents, it suggests a vet check-up to rule out conditions such as urinary tract infections.

What should you do next?

Strip the bed tonight, read both care labels, and pick one wash day each week. Then follow this checklist in the same order every time.

• Read the care label on the cover and the insert.
• Get the fur off dry: vacuum, rubber gloves, lint roller.
• Blot and enzyme treat any accidents before washing.
• Wash the cover warm, fragrance-free, with an extra rinse.
• Spot clean and air the foam, then dry everything completely.
• Wipe the drum and seal, and clean the washer monthly.