How to wash a dog's bed and blankets (so they don't steal yours) 

Oh, look. How sweet is your perfect little puppy, sleeping so soundly in his new bed? Wait. Nope. There he is, gnawing at a table leg in the lounge. So, who’s this fluffy imposter sleeping so peacefully? On closer inspection, it is your puppy. Or at least, what he left behind... His bed has become so full of fur it’s impossible to tell where bed ends and dog begins! But it’s only natural that your barking boy’s bed will get coated in fur – that’s why us dog owners need to know how to wash smelly dog blankets and wash dog bed covers. 

From the items you need for cleaning dog bed mattresses and blankets to how often to wash dog bed parts, let us guide you through the process. We’re sure they’d help if only they could, and all those happy tail wags afterwards will make it all worthwhile – one sloppy lick to the face saying it all. Let’s go! 

How to wash a dog bed – what you need  

It’s much easier to wash dog bed covers/mattresses/etc. when you have the right gear. It’s handy to have the following: 

• Lint roller 
• Vacuum cleaner 
• Kitchen towels 
• White vinegar or stain remover 
• Pet-safe laundry detergent 
• Pet hair dissolver product 

How to clean a dog bed: step one – remove excess dirt and hair  

Before you get to the deep clean, you’ll want to get the surface as clear as possible. Typically, that means getting rid of all that shed hair. You can use a lint roller for this, or even run the vacuum cleaner over the bed. If there are clumps of dry dirt from muddy paws, pick these off carefully with a strong damp piece of kitchen towel. 

Tip: Plenty kitchen towel is super-strong and absorbent, so it's ideal for spot cleaning any bits of dirt or pee you notice on the bed. And as one sheet does plenty, you won’t need to use any more – and it’ll keep your hand dry. Tail wags to that. 

As for how often to wash dog bed surfaces in this way, you’ll make life easier for yourself (and more hygienic for your dog) if you carry out this de-hairing as regularly as possible – certainly whenever you spot dirt or lots of hairs on the bed, and probably every other day, depending on how much your pooch sheds.  

How to wash a dog bed: step two – the washing process 

Now we’re onto the main section of cleaning dog bed parts – where water gets involved. Assuming your dog’s bed is machine washable (or the removable cover is, at least), here’s what to do: 

1. Pre-treat stains. Use your usual stain remover on any dirty spots before piling the bed into the washing machine for a good rinse. But if you’d prefer a home remedy solution, then white vinegar does a great job. Simply let it soak into the stain for five minutes. 
2. Wash on a cold wash. Use a pet-safe laundry detergent (and pet hair dissolver, if the lint roller/vacuum cleaner got clogged instantly). Make sure you wash only your dog’s bed and bedding, rather than mixing it in with any of your other laundry. We love our dogs, but seeing their fur all over your socks isn’t ideal. 

Try to wash your dog’s bedding as often as your own – about once a week or so. 

How to clean a dog bed: step three – drying  

If your dog’s bed can be tumble dried, by all means dry it that way. But letting it dry naturally in the sun has a triple benefit: it’s economical, it saves electricity and thus better for the environment, and it’s also a great way to remove any lingering smells, thanks to the deodorising power of the sun’s ultra-violet rays. That’s particularly helpful when you want to know how to wash smelly dog blankets/beds. 

How to wash dog blankets in three steps 

Washing dog blankets is essentially the same as washing their bed. Follow the three steps above, focusing on the lint roller to remove hair, rather than the vacuum cleaner – as that’ll likely suck up the blanket, get clogged and explode all that doggy hair in a cloud of dust that settles back down on not only the dog bed, but everywhere else too. Bad times.   

So, now you know how to wash dog blankets and beds. With this simple three-step method you can start washing dog blankets and their bed weekly, and enjoy the new fresh aroma that fills your home. Your pooch will be less likely to steal your blanket, too. So that’s a win-win all round.