When we bring a dog into our home, we also bring along all the things that we need to care for them, because our pets are as important to us as family members. We feed them, take care of them and of course, just like our kids, we do their laundry.
Although we don’t have to do much laundry for our animals, there are times when we need to clean some of the toys and supplies that we use to take care of them.
One of the bigger items that can be a bit tough to clean is a dog bed. Now, some dog beds are easy to wash, like those beds for smaller dogs like terriers or chihuahuas. These dog beds can typically be thrown right in the wash, cleaned, and dried.
Before you put it in the wash, there are a few things that should be checked out. And if you have a bigger dog bed, other things need to be done to make sure that it doesn’t wreck the washer or the dog bed.
Keep reading for some tips on how to wash and dry a dog bed without breaking the bank!
How to Wash a Dog Bed With Stuffing
There is no specific rule on when or how often you should wash the dog’s bed. It is easy to know if it is full of mud, dirt, or urine, but sometimes we are not aware of the “dog smell” that lingers around it, especially if we live with it every day.
The easy way to do a check on it is to use the “pull it close and sniff it” test. If you bring it close and take a deep breath, what do you smell? Is it fresh and lovely? Or does it smell like DOG?
If you have realized that there is a need for a clean-up, then begin by prepping the bed for the washer.
How To Wash At Home Checklist
The goal is to clean up the dog bed, not unravel it. As with dog toys, it is important to check for any rips or tears in the bed before putting them into the washing machine.
- If there is a tear in the fabric, the stuffing may come out, which can clog up not only your washing machine but your drain – that is a huge mess you want to avoid.
- Instead, check the seams and edges for any openings in the fabric. If you find a rip, patch it up or sew it closed so that the stuffing remains in the bed and not all over your laundry room.
- Once you have ensured that there are no openings in the bed, break it apart as much as possible. Some beds with stuffing have several components that can be removed, making it less bulky for the washer.
- If you can break it down into pieces that will fit into the washer, then you are good to go to get it cleaned. Using regular detergent at a high heat setting (be sure to double-check the label) should freshen up the dog bed quite nicely!
- Once the bed is finished in the washer, it is best to find a place to let it air dry. You can tumble it in the dryer if it will fit, but it may be easier to just let it sit until it dries.
- If the bed is too large to break down, or you just have a really big dog bed, you may need to bring it to a laundry mat to get it clean. Laundry mats have very large commercial washing machines that can fit large comforters, blankets and, big dog beds!
Washing At Laundromat Checklist
- If you choose to go this route, be sure to check the washing machine temperatures to ensure that you do not damage the bed.
- Commercial dryers also can run with high heat, so it may be better to either tumble the dog bed dry or to let it air dry overnight.
Other Methods
If neither the home washer nor a commercial washer is available to you, there are still ways to clean and freshen your dog bed.
To spot clean the bed, you can use any fabric cleaner that can be sprayed and wipe off. You can also use pet spray enzyme cleaners which work wonders to reduce smell and freshen up not only the bed but your house as well.
Bottom Line
Our dogs bring such joy to our life – but their smell does not. Keeping both the dog and their stuff fresh and clean can certainly help to improve the smell in your home. Dogs, and their dog smell, can be part of our lives if we just learn how to deal with them both.
Once you find a good way to wash the dog’s bed, you will forever have a way to clean up that “doggy smell!”
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