How To Wash a Dog Bed: The Complete Guide for Every Material Type
Key Takeaways
- Most dog beds should be washed every 1–2 weeks, depending on how much your dog sheds or drools.
- Always check the care label before washing — material type determines everything.
- Memory foam and orthopedic inserts should never go in the dryer.
- Baking soda and white vinegar are your best friends for neutralizing odors and urine stains.
- Stuffed dog beds need a gentle cycle and extra drying time to prevent mold inside the fill.
- Waterproof beds are the easiest to clean but still need regular deep washing.
- Why Keeping a Dog Bed Clean Matters
- How Often Should You Wash a Dog Bed?
- Before You Wash: What You Need to Know
- How to Wash a Dog Bed in a Washing Machine
- How to Clean a Dog Bed by Material Type
- Troubleshooting: Odor, Urine, Stains & Mold
- Maintenance Tips to Keep the Bed Fresh Longer
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you've ever walked past your dog's sleeping spot and caught a whiff of something less than pleasant, you already know the answer: it's time to learn how to wash a dog bed properly. But here's the thing — tossing it into the washer on a hot cycle and hoping for the best isn't always the right call. The wrong approach can ruin memory foam inserts, cause stuffing to clump, or leave behind moisture that breeds mold and mildew.
Dog beds collect a remarkable amount of grime — dander, shed fur, drool, mud, bacteria, and yes, the occasional accident. A clean bed doesn't just smell better. It actively supports your dog's skin health, reduces allergens in your home, and extends the lifespan of the bed itself.
This complete dog bed cleaning guide walks you through every material type with step-by-step instructions, addresses common problems like urine smells and mold, and gives you a realistic routine for keeping things fresh without burning yourself out. Whether you've got a cozy stuffed bed, a high-tech orthopedic mattress, or a plush calming donut, we've got you covered.
Why Keeping a Dog Bed Clean Matters
Dogs spend anywhere from 12 to 14 hours a day sleeping, depending on their age and breed. That's a lot of time pressed against a surface that collects everything their body sheds and tracks in. Here's what you're actually dealing with when you skip regular cleaning:
- Pet dander: A leading trigger for allergies in both humans and other pets. It embeds deeply in fabric fibers and builds up fast.
- Bacteria and yeast: A warm, damp dog bed is practically a petri dish. These microorganisms can cause skin infections, hot spots, and ear issues in dogs.
- Fleas and dust mites: Both thrive in unwashed bedding and can cause intense itching and discomfort.
- Odors: Natural oils from your dog's coat, drool, and environmental debris combine into that signature "dog smell" that nobody actually enjoys.
- Mold and mildew: Especially dangerous in foam beds that absorb moisture and don't dry fully. Mold spores can cause respiratory issues in both pets and people.
The good news? A consistent cleaning routine takes less time than you think — and the payoff for both your home and your dog's health is significant.
How Often Should You Wash a Dog Bed?
There's no universal answer, but here's a practical framework based on your dog's habits and health status:
| Dog Type / Situation | Recommended Frequency | Urgency Level |
|---|---|---|
| Average healthy dog, low shedder | Every 2 weeks | Low |
| Heavy shedder or drooler | Weekly | Moderate |
| Dog with skin issues, allergies, or fleas | Every 3–5 days | High |
| Puppy or senior dog (accidents likely) | As needed + weekly deep clean | High |
| Outdoor/active dog with muddy paws | Every 5–7 days | Moderate |
| General cover/outer shell | Weekly | Low |
| Foam insert / inner cushion | Monthly | Low |
The outer cover of a dog bed works like a fitted sheet — it needs more frequent attention than the insert itself. Get into the habit of vacuuming the bed between washes to remove surface fur and dander.
Before You Wash: What You Need to Know
Before you start any cleaning process, a little preparation goes a long way. Here's what to do before the water even runs:
1. Read the Care Label
This is non-negotiable. The label on your dog's bed tells you exactly what the manufacturer recommends. Look for washing temperature, whether machine washing is allowed, and drying instructions. If there's no label — or it's worn off — treat the bed as delicate and hand wash it.
2. Separate the Cover from the Insert
Most quality dog beds come with a removable cover. Wash these separately. The cover can often go in the machine; the insert usually requires gentler treatment.
3. Do a Pre-Clean Shake and Vacuum
Take the bed outside and shake it firmly to dislodge loose fur, dirt, and debris. Follow up with a vacuum — including the seams and crevices. This step prevents fur clogs in your washing machine and removes the bulk of the surface debris before washing.
4. Pre-Treat Stains
Any visible stains should be treated before the wash cycle. Apply an enzyme-based cleaner to urine, fecal, or vomit stains and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Enzyme cleaners break down biological matter at the molecular level rather than just masking the smell — which is critical for permanent odor removal.
5. Check Your Washer Size
Trying to cram a large dog bed into a small top-loading washer is a recipe for an unbalanced spin cycle and incomplete cleaning. Use a commercial front-loader at a laundromat if your home machine is too small. Front-loaders are also gentler on fabrics and better for bulky items.
How to Wash a Dog Bed in a Washing Machine
For beds with machine-washable covers or entirely machine-safe construction, here's the full step-by-step process:
Pre-treat stains and odors. Apply an enzyme cleaner to any soiled spots. Let it work for at least 10 minutes before loading the machine.
Load the bed alone or with dog items only. Washing the bed with regular laundry transfers pet hair and bacteria. Keep it separate.
Add a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent. Use the recommended dose — more detergent doesn't mean cleaner, and residue left in fabric irritates skin.
Select the right cycle. For most fabric covers: warm water, gentle or delicate cycle. For heavily soiled items with no foam inserts: you can use a normal cycle with warm water.
Run an extra rinse cycle. This removes all detergent traces — especially important for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
Dry thoroughly. Use a low-heat dryer setting, or air dry in the sun. Partial drying leads to mildew growth inside stuffing. Check that the interior fill is completely dry before letting your dog use it again.
If your washing machine has a drum-cleaning cycle, run it after washing the dog bed. Pet hair can cling to the drum and transfer to future loads of your regular laundry.
How to Clean a Dog Bed by Material Type
This is where most guides fall short. Different materials require genuinely different approaches. Use the wrong method on memory foam, for example, and you can permanently damage it. Here's how to clean dog bed materials safely and effectively.
Stuffed beds filled with polyester fiberfill, cotton batting, or similar materials are common and, thankfully, one of the more forgiving types to wash. The key challenge is making sure the fill dries completely — moisture trapped inside leads to mold.
How to Wash a Dog Bed with Stuffing
Remove the cover if it's separate. Treat any stains with an enzyme cleaner.
Place the bed in a large front-loading washer. If the stuffed bed is one piece with no removable cover, this whole-bed approach is your only option — make sure the washer is large enough for the bed to move freely.
Use cold or warm water on a gentle cycle with a mild, pet-safe detergent.
Run an extra rinse cycle to clear all soap residue from the fill.
Dry on low heat in the dryer. Add a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls — they help break up clumped stuffing and dramatically speed up drying. Check every 30 minutes and fluff manually.
When you think it's dry, wait another 30 minutes. Stuffed beds are notorious for feeling dry on the surface while still holding moisture inside. A fully dry bed should feel light and uniformly fluffy.
Memory foam provides excellent joint support — particularly valuable for older dogs or breeds prone to hip dysplasia. But it's also the most washing-sensitive material on this list. The foam itself should never go in the washing machine or dryer. Here's how to clean a memory foam dog bed the right way.
Cleaning the Cover
Most memory foam beds come with a zippered, removable cover. This cover is usually machine washable. Remove it and wash it following the care label instructions — typically on a gentle cycle with cold water and a pet-safe detergent.
Cleaning the Memory Foam Insert
Take the foam outside or to a bathtub. Vacuum both sides thoroughly to remove dust and dander.
Mix a solution of warm water and a tiny amount of pet-safe liquid detergent in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the foam — don't soak it.
Gently work the solution into any stained or odorous areas using a soft cloth. Use circular motions and light pressure.
Dampen a clean cloth with plain water and "rinse" the foam by blotting the area repeatedly. You're trying to remove soap without saturating the foam.
Press dry towels firmly against the foam to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Air dry completely in a well-ventilated area. This can take 24–48 hours. Do not use a dryer — heat breaks down the cellular structure of memory foam, causing it to lose its supportive properties permanently.
Orthopedic dog beds typically use a combination of high-density foam, memory foam, and sometimes egg-crate foam layers. They're designed for dogs with arthritis, joint pain, or recovering from surgery. Cleaning methods are similar to memory foam, but there are a few nuances worth knowing.
- Always separate the layers if the bed has multiple inserts. Each layer needs to be cleaned and dried individually.
- Check for waterproof liners — many orthopedic beds have an inner waterproof layer. These can often be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild disinfectant.
- Follow the same foam-cleaning steps above: spot clean, blot dry, air dry fully before reassembling.
- For the outer cover: machine wash according to the label, usually on a gentle cycle.
For dogs with ongoing mobility issues, keeping their bed impeccably clean is especially important. Bacteria thriving in dirty foam can worsen existing skin or wound issues. If your dog uses a calming or orthopedic bed, you might also find helpful information in this guide on how to wash a calming dog bed for additional care tips that apply to specialty foam constructions.
Waterproof dog beds use materials like Oxford fabric, PVC, nylon, or waterproof-treated canvas. They're popular for puppies, senior dogs, or breeds that love water. Good news: they're the easiest to clean. Bad news: many owners don't clean them often enough because they assume "waterproof" means "self-cleaning."
Surface / Spot Cleaning (Weekly)
Wipe the surface down with a damp cloth and a pet-safe cleaning spray. For dried mud or debris, let the mud dry completely and then brush it off before wiping.
Deep Cleaning (Monthly)
Check the care label — most waterproof covers are machine washable on a gentle/cold cycle. Avoid hot water, which can degrade the waterproof coating over time.
Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Avoid fabric softeners — they coat fibers and reduce the effectiveness of waterproofing.
Air dry or tumble dry on the lowest heat setting. High heat degrades waterproof coatings rapidly.
Calming dog beds — those gloriously fluffy, round, high-walled designs — use ultra-soft faux fur or shag fabric that mimics a mother dog's coat. They're anxiety-reducing and beloved by dogs and owners alike. But that plush exterior requires a gentle touch.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hot water causes plush fibers to mat and lose their softness permanently.
- Use a delicate or pet-specific detergent.
- Dry on low heat or air dry. High heat melts synthetic fibers in faux fur.
- Once dry, use a soft-bristled brush or pet slicker brush to restore the fluffiness of the fabric.
- The inner pillow of calming beds is often removable and may contain memory foam or fiberfill — clean accordingly.
If your pup uses a calming pillow-style bed, the Calming Pet Pillow from Stellar Nook is a great option built with washability in mind. Pair it with a consistent cleaning schedule and it will maintain its soothing texture and shape for the long run.
Not sure which style of calming bed is right for your dog? This roundup of the 16 best calming dog beds in 2026 breaks down the top options by size, material, and use case.
A cozy, washable design your pet will love — easy to clean, built to last.
Troubleshooting: Odor, Urine, Stains & Mold
Even with a solid cleaning routine, you'll run into specific problems. Here's how to tackle each one effectively.
How to Remove Dog Urine Smell from a Dog Bed
Urine is one of the trickiest problems because the smell-causing compounds — uric acid crystals — don't dissolve in plain water or regular detergents. They need to be broken down enzymatically.
Act fast. Blot up as much fresh urine as possible with paper towels. Don't rub — that pushes urine deeper into the fibers.
Apply an enzyme cleaner generously. Products like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie are widely trusted. Saturate the area — enzyme cleaners need to reach every layer the urine did.
Let it dwell. Follow product instructions — usually 10–30 minutes. Don't rush this step.
Blot dry and wash. Machine wash on a warm, gentle cycle with pet-safe detergent.
Optional baking soda treatment: Before washing, sprinkle baking soda over the damp area, let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum off. Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer.
Removing Stubborn Odors (Not Urine)
For general "wet dog" or musty smells, a pre-soak works well. Fill your bathtub with warm water, add half a cup of white vinegar and a scoop of pet-safe detergent, and submerge the bed for 30–60 minutes. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer that's safe for dogs once rinsed out fully. According to the ASPCA's general pet care guidelines, diluted white vinegar is a commonly recommended, pet-safe cleaning agent.
Dealing with Mold or Mildew
If your dog's bed smells musty or you spot dark spots on the fabric or foam, mold is likely present. This needs to be addressed immediately — mold spores can cause respiratory irritation in dogs and humans alike.
- For fabric covers: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area generously, let sit for 15 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush. Machine wash immediately after.
- For foam inserts: Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply with a cloth, scrub gently, then blot dry. Air dry completely in sunlight — UV light naturally kills mold spores.
- If mold growth is extensive or the smell persists after cleaning, replace the insert. Moldy foam is not salvageable once it's penetrated the cellular structure.
Removing Hair, Stains, and Mud
For dried mud, let it dry completely before attempting to clean. Dried mud brushes off easily; wet mud smears and pushes deeper into fabric. For grass stains or food stains, an enzyme pre-treater or a paste of baking soda and water applied directly to the stain before washing works well. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.
For pet hair embedded in fabric: a rubber glove or slightly damp rubber brush works surprisingly well. Rub the glove across the fabric surface and hair rolls up into clumps for easy removal. This is especially effective before machine washing, as it prevents excessive hair from clogging your machine's drain.
Maintenance Tips to Keep the Bed Fresh Longer
Cleaning is reactive. Maintenance is proactive. These habits significantly reduce how often you need to do a full wash while keeping the bed genuinely fresh between washes.
Use a Washable Cover or Liner
If your dog's bed didn't come with a removable cover, buy a separate washable liner or pillowcase that fits over it. Washing a small cover weekly is far easier than hauling the entire bed to the laundromat. Some pet owners even use an old fitted sheet cut to size.
Vacuum Regularly
A quick once-over with a vacuum cleaner two to three times per week removes surface hair, dust, and debris before it embeds. Use an upholstery attachment for best results. This simple habit alone can cut down your full washing frequency noticeably.
Keep the Bed in a Dry, Ventilated Spot
Beds placed in damp, poorly ventilated areas — basements, corners without airflow — develop mold and mildew faster. Position the bed where air circulates and natural light reaches it occasionally.
Dry Your Dog Before Bed
After walks in the rain or baths, towel dry your dog before they hit their bed. A wet dog lying on a foam bed for eight hours is an ideal environment for mold and bacteria. Keep a designated "paw towel" near the door for quick post-walk dry-offs.
Rotate Multiple Beds
If your dog is devoted to their spot, consider having two beds. While one is in the wash and drying, your dog has a fresh backup. This is especially helpful for foam beds that take 24–48 hours to dry thoroughly.
Sprinkle Baking Soda Between Washes
Once a week, sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda over the bed, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up. This absorbs odors naturally without any chemicals or residue that could irritate your dog's skin.
Check for Heated Bed Compatibility
If your dog uses a heated bed, cleaning adds a layer of complexity. You should never machine wash most heated beds with their heating elements intact. Before cleaning any electric or heated bed, read this guide on are heated dog beds safe — it covers maintenance and safety in detail.
Soft, washable, and designed for pets who love to burrow and nest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to wash a dog bed properly isn't complicated — but it does require paying attention to what the bed is made of and following a consistent routine. The difference between a clean dog bed and a neglected one isn't just about smell. It's about your dog's skin health, joint comfort, and overall well-being.
Start with the care label, choose the right cleaning method for the material, and treat problems like urine and odors at the source with enzyme cleaners rather than masking them. Pair regular washing with simple maintenance habits — vacuuming, baking soda treatments, keeping the area dry — and your dog's bed will stay fresh far longer between deep cleans.
Your dog spends more time on their bed than almost anywhere else. It deserves the same care you give your own bedding. A little consistent attention keeps it clean, safe, and comfortable for the long haul.
