Top 15 Pet Bed Cleaning Questions Answered for 2026

By Marcus Chen · March 12, 2026

Common Pet Bed Cleaning Questions

How often should I wash my dog's bed?

I wash my golden retriever's bed every two weeks. If your dog swims often or has skin allergies, wash it weekly. If you have kids who track mud everywhere and the dog follows them right onto their mattress, bump that up to a weekly wash. For indoor cats who groom themselves constantly, a monthly wash usually does the trick.

Can I put a memory foam pet bed in the washing machine?

Never put solid memory foam in a washing machine. The agitator will tear the foam into chunks and ruin the structural support. I only machine-wash the removable covers. For the foam insert, spot clean it with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, then let it air dry for 24 hours.

What temperature kills fleas and bacteria in pet beds?

You need water that's at least 140°F (60°C) to kill flea eggs and most bacteria. I always run my heavy-duty cycle on the hottest setting to ensure everything is sanitized. Just check the care tag first so you don't melt any synthetic waterproof linings or shrink the cotton canvas.

How do I get dried urine out of a pet bed?

Dried urine requires enzymatic breakdown to actually remove the smell. I saturate the stain with Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer and let it sit for 15 minutes. Blot it up with a microfiber cloth, then wash the cover on a cold cycle to prevent setting the remaining proteins into the fabric.

Is it safe to use bleach on pet beds?

I strongly advise against using chlorine bleach. Dogs have highly sensitive noses, and residual bleach fumes can irritate their respiratory tracts. Instead, I use oxygen bleach like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover. It's color-safe, highly effective on organic stains, and breaks down into harmless water and oxygen.

How do I remove embedded pet hair before washing?

Throwing a hair-covered bed straight into the washer clogs your drain pump. I use a rubber squeegee or a ChomChom roller to pull off the top layer of fur. Then, I toss the dry cover in the dryer on an air-only cycle for 10 minutes to shake loose the rest. Don't forget to clean your dryer's lint trap immediately after.

What's the best detergent for sensitive dog skin?

Skip the heavily fragranced laundry pods. I use Tide Free & Gentle or Seventh Generation Free & Clear. They lack dyes and synthetic perfumes that trigger hot spots and contact dermatitis in breeds like French Bulldogs and Pitbulls. A gentle rinse cycle also helps remove any leftover soap residue.

Can I use a steam cleaner on a pet bed?

Yes, but only on durable fabrics like canvas or heavy cotton. I use my Bissell SpotClean Pro on the low-steam setting to kill dust mites. Don't steam clean velvet or microsuede, as the 212°F heat will permanently crush the pile and leave ugly water rings on the surface.

How do I dry a pet bed without a dryer?

I'll be honest, air drying takes patience. I hang the cover outside in direct sunlight, which naturally bleaches stains and kills bacteria. For the stuffing, I lay it flat on a drying rack near a box fan. It usually takes 12 to 18 hours to dry completely, so plan accordingly.

Why does my dog's bed still smell after washing?

Lingering odors usually mean the inner stuffing didn't dry fast enough and grew mildew. I toss a half-cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle to strip detergent buildup that traps smells. If the stuffing is the culprit, you'll likely need to replace the poly-fill or buy a new insert.

How do I clean a non-removable pet bed cover?

This is a pain, but doable. I vacuum the bed thoroughly using the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser upholstery tool. Then, I scrub the entire surface with a foaming upholstery cleaner like Woolite, blotting aggressively with dry towels to extract the dirty water. It takes elbow grease, but it works.

Can I wash a pet bed with human clothes?

Don't do it. Pet beds harbor dander, dirt, and microscopic parasites that you don't want on your underwear. I always wash pet bedding in a dedicated load. If you only have one small pet, a 1.5 cubic foot portable washer is a great $150 investment to keep pet laundry separate.

How do I get mud out of a light-colored pet bed?

Let the mud dry completely first. Scrubbing wet mud just pushes it deeper into the fibers. Once dry, I brush off the crust with a stiff bristle brush, then pre-treat the remaining brown stain with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide before washing it in cold water.

What if the pet bed is too big for my washing machine?

Standard home washers max out around 4.5 cubic feet. If you have a giant orthopedic bed for a Great Dane, take it to a laundromat. I use the industrial 20-pound capacity front-loaders there, which cost about $6 per cycle and handle bulky items easily without throwing the machine off balance.

How do I waterproof a pet bed after washing?

Washing strips away factory DWR (durable water repellent) coatings. I spray the clean, dry cover with Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof. It costs about $18, restores water resistance, and adds UV protection to keep the fabric from fading when it sits by the window all afternoon.

Expert Tips

The Lint Roller Pre-Soak Trick

Before washing, I run a sticky lint roller over the seams and zippers. Hair gets trapped in the stitching and turns into a matted mess when wet. Taking three minutes to do this saves me from picking wet fur off the clean cover later.

Zipper Protection

Zippers snag and tear fabric in the wash. I always zip the cover completely shut and turn it inside out. If the zipper pull is broken, I secure it with a large safety pin so it doesn't slide open and swallow the washing machine agitator.

Deodorizing Between Washes

I don't wash the bed every single day. To keep it smelling fresh between laundry days, I sprinkle ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda over the fabric. I let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb oils and odors, then vacuum it up with my Dyson V15 Detect.

Hide the Smell for Inspections

When your landlord inspects next week and you need to hide the lingering pet smell, rent an ozone generator. Run it in the room for two hours while you and the pets are out of the house. It completely neutralizes organic odors rather than just masking them.

Comparing Pet Bed Cleaning Methods

Method	Best For	Cost	Time
Machine Wash	Removable cotton covers	$0.50	2 hours
Steam Cleaning	Heavy canvas, killing mites	$0.10	45 mins
Spot Cleaning	Memory foam inserts	$0.25	15 mins
Laundromat	Giant orthopedic beds	$6.00	3 hours

FAQ

Can I use fabric softener on pet beds?

No, you should skip the fabric softener. It coats the fibers in a waxy residue that traps odors and reduces the fabric's breathability. This makes the bed sleep hotter, which your dog will definitely complain about during the summer months.

How do I clean a heated pet bed?

Never submerge a heated bed in water. I unplug it and wipe the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth and a drop of Dawn dish soap. For the cord, I use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe to disinfect it without risking an electrical short.

Will washing ruin the orthopedic support of a bed?

It depends on the filling. Shredded memory foam holds up well to gentle machine washing, but solid foam slabs will break apart. Always check the manufacturer's tag, and when in doubt, hand-wash the foam in a bathtub with mild detergent.

How do I get vomit out of a plush pet bed?

After hosting a dinner party where the dog begged for scraps and threw up, scrape the solid bits immediately with a dull knife. Then, spray the area with an enzymatic cleaner like Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator. Let it penetrate for 10 minutes, blot it dry, and wash the cover on a cold, delicate cycle.