A dog bed should be washed every 1 to 2 weeks — more often if your dog is prone to allergies, skin conditions, or heavy shedding. Beyond odor control, regular cleaning removes bacteria, dust mites, flea eggs, and allergens that build up in the bed’s material. This guide covers the correct cleaning method for every type of dog bed: machine-washable, memory foam, orthopedic, waterproof, and beds without removable covers.
What You’ll Need
- Washing machine (front-load preferred for large beds)
- Pet-safe laundry detergent (fragrance-free)
- White vinegar (for odor and sanitizing)
- Baking soda
- Handheld vacuum or lint roller
- Enzyme-based pet stain and odor cleaner
- Bathtub or large utility sink (for foam beds)
- Rubber gloves
Safety and Precautions
Use only pet-safe, fragrance-free laundry detergent — dogs groom their bedding and ingest residue from strongly scented or chemically heavy detergents. Never use bleach on a dog bed unless the cover is white and you rinse it at least three times — residual bleach causes skin irritation. Do not use fabric softener sheets or liquid fabric softener on dog beds — these leave a coating that dogs ingest during grooming and the fragrance chemicals can irritate their respiratory systems. Always dry dog beds completely before returning them to your dog — mold and bacteria grow rapidly in damp foam or poly-fill material. For guidance on safe cleaning products around pets, see our guide on cleaning products to never mix.
How to Clean a Dog Bed — Step by Step by Bed Type
Step 1 — Pre-Clean: Remove Hair, Debris, and Loose Material
Before washing any type of dog bed, remove as much pet hair and debris as possible using a handheld vacuum, lint roller, or rubber glove rubbed in circular motions across the fabric. This step is critical — washing a hair-covered bed deposits hair throughout your washing machine and can clog the pump filter. Take the bed outside and shake it vigorously to dislodge loose debris before vacuuming. Check for flea dirt (small dark specks) — if present, treat the bed with an enzyme cleaner before washing and wash at the highest safe temperature for the fabric.
Step 2 — Machine-Washable Dog Beds (With Removable Cover)
Remove the cover from the inner cushion or pad. Wash the cover in the washing machine on the warm cycle using a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener — this naturally deodorizes the fabric and helps neutralize pet odor without chemical residue. Wash the inner cushion or pad separately on a gentle cycle if the care label permits. Dry on medium heat — high heat can damage polyester fill and cause clumping. Run the dryer cycle until the fill is completely dry, which may require two cycles for thick pads. Do not put away damp.
Step 3 — Dog Beds Without Removable Covers
For beds where the cover is sewn on and not removable, spot-treat any soiled areas with an enzyme-based pet cleaner, leaving it in contact for 10 minutes before blotting with a clean cloth. Then wash the entire bed in the washing machine if its size permits and the care label allows — use a gentle cycle with cold water and pet-safe detergent. For beds too large for a residential machine, a commercial-size washer at a laundromat handles most large beds effectively. Dry thoroughly on medium heat.
Step 4 — Memory Foam and Orthopedic Dog Beds
Memory foam cannot go in a washing machine — the agitation shreds the foam. Remove the cover (usually zippered) and wash it in the machine according to Steps 2 above. Clean the foam insert by taking it to a bathtub. Fill the tub with enough warm water to submerge the foam. Add a small amount of pet-safe laundry detergent. Gently compress and release the foam repeatedly — like squeezing a sponge — to push soapy water through the material. Drain the tub, refill with clean water, and repeat the compress-release process to rinse. Drain, press out as much water as possible without wringing (wringing tears foam), then stand the foam insert upright in a well-ventilated area to air dry for 24 to 48 hours. Never put memory foam in a dryer.
Step 5 — Waterproof or Elevated (Raised) Dog Beds
Waterproof beds have a water-resistant inner liner designed to prevent moisture from reaching the foam. Remove the cover and wash it in the machine. For the liner, wipe it down with a damp cloth and a small amount of pet-safe cleaner — do not submerge the waterproof liner as this can damage the coating. Allow to air dry before replacing the cover. For elevated mesh or canvas beds, spray with a diluted pet-safe disinfectant spray and wipe clean with a cloth. For mesh material, use a soft brush and soapy water — rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry completely before your dog uses it again.
Step 6 — Deodorize and Sanitize After Washing
After washing, if odor persists in the cover fabric, sprinkle baking soda generously over the surface and let it sit for 30 minutes before brushing off. For persistent biological odor from urine or vomit, apply an enzyme-based cleaner to the affected area, leave for 15 to 30 minutes, then launder again. Enzyme cleaners are the only type that digest the protein compounds responsible for these odors — regular detergent cleans the surface but leaves the biological odor source intact.
Step 7 — Dry Completely Before Returning to Your Dog
This is the step most dog owners rush, and it is the primary reason washed beds develop musty odors within days. Memory foam and thick poly-fill pads take longer to dry than standard laundry. For machine-dried items, run two full dryer cycles if needed and confirm the fill is dry by squeezing the thickest part of the pad — if you feel any coolness or moisture, it is not dry. For air-dried foam, stand the insert upright and allow 24 to 48 hours minimum in a warm, ventilated area. Never return a damp bed to your dog’s sleeping area.
Dog Bed Cleaning by Type — Quick Reference
| Bed Type | Wash Method | Dry Method | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine-washable (removable cover) | Warm wash, gentle cycle | Medium heat dryer | Every 1–2 weeks |
| No removable cover | Machine wash if size allows, spot treat otherwise | Medium heat dryer | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Memory foam | Cover: machine wash. Foam: bathtub hand-wash | Cover: dryer. Foam: air dry 24–48 hrs | Cover weekly; foam monthly |
| Orthopedic (thick foam) | Same as memory foam | Air dry 48 hrs minimum | Cover weekly; foam monthly |
| Waterproof | Cover: machine wash. Liner: wipe clean | Medium heat dryer | Cover weekly |
| Elevated mesh/canvas | Soapy water + soft brush, garden hose rinse | Air dry fully | Every 2–4 weeks |
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
- Never skip the pre-vacuum step. Hair in the washing machine damages the pump filter over time and reduces machine efficiency. A 2-minute vacuum before washing prevents ongoing appliance damage.
- Fragrance-free detergent is not optional for pet beds. Dogs spend 12–16 hours per day on their beds and groom themselves afterward. Fragranced detergents leave chemical residue they will ingest continuously.
- Returning a damp bed creates mold within 24 hours. The warm, moist environment of a damp pet bed is ideal for rapid mold and bacterial growth. Complete drying is more important than washing frequency.
- Add vinegar to the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. Adding vinegar to the wash cycle can react with soap and reduce cleaning effectiveness. Adding it to the rinse cycle deodorizes effectively without reducing detergent performance.
Troubleshooting
Dog bed still smells after washing. The odor source is inside the foam or fill, not on the fabric surface. Apply enzyme cleaner to the foam or fill material directly, allow 20 to 30 minutes of contact time, then wash again. For foam beds, hand-wash the foam insert in the bathtub as described in Step 4 — this is the only way to clean deep into foam material.
Dog bed developed a musty smell after washing. It was not dried completely. The moisture inside the fill or foam created mold within 24 to 48 hours. Wash again and this time confirm the fill is completely dry before returning it to use — squeeze the thickest section to check for residual coolness or moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you wash a dog bed?
Wash the cover and any removable parts every 1 to 2 weeks. Wash the inner cushion or foam insert monthly. For dogs with skin conditions, allergies, or flea history, wash covers weekly and disinfect foam monthly with an enzyme-based cleaner. A dog that uses the bed 12 to 16 hours per day deposits the equivalent of what a human would deposit on bedsheets in 3 to 4 weeks — the 1 to 2 week schedule reflects this usage level.
Can you put a memory foam dog bed in the washing machine?
No — the agitation in a washing machine shreds memory foam, breaking it apart and potentially clogging the machine’s drain. The cover can and should be machine-washed. The foam insert must be hand-washed in a bathtub by gently compressing and releasing the foam in soapy water, then rinsing the same way, and air-drying for 24 to 48 hours in a well-ventilated area.
What kills bacteria on a dog bed?
Water temperatures of 140°F (60°C) kill most common bacteria in pet bedding. If your washing machine reaches this temperature on a hot cycle, this alone is sufficient. For lower-temperature washing, adding half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle provides antimicrobial benefit. For foam inserts that cannot be machine-washed, an enzyme-based spray applied and allowed to dwell for 15 to 30 minutes before blotting provides effective surface sanitization.
How do I get the wet dog smell out of a dog bed?
Wet dog smell is primarily caused by bacteria and yeast living in the dog’s coat and transferring to the bedding. Washing with a pet-safe detergent removes the surface bacteria. Adding half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle neutralizes the remaining odor compounds. For persistent wet dog smell that survives regular washing, an enzyme-based pre-soak of the cover for 20 to 30 minutes before washing breaks down the biological compounds that standard detergent cannot remove.
Can I use essential oils on a dog bed to make it smell better?
No — many essential oils are toxic to dogs when ingested or absorbed through skin contact, including tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus, and citrus oils. Dogs groom themselves on their beds and absorb topical applications through their paw pads. Use only enzyme-based or detergent-based cleaning solutions that rinse fully away. The goal is a clean-smelling bed, not a fragranced one — a properly washed and dried bed should have no smell at all.
Conclusion
Cleaning a dog bed correctly comes down to matching the method to the bed type, using pet-safe products, and — most importantly — drying completely before your dog uses it again. Wash covers every 1 to 2 weeks, hand-wash foam inserts monthly, and use enzyme cleaners for any biological odor that regular washing does not resolve.
Related guides: our guide on pet hair removal tips covers keeping fur off all surfaces including the bed area, and our odor removal guide addresses persistent pet smells throughout the home. For keeping the whole home clean with pets, see our complete house cleaning tips guide.
