If your pets are like mine, they LOVE their beds they rub on, eat snacks on them, and lounge all day on them. Can’t Febreze them or use any strong chemicals to get pet smells out, but there are many household items you can use safe for pets. Check out the two links below see what works best to keep your fur kids smelling fresh:

Related: Here’s What You Haven’t Tried Doing to Get Pet Odors Out of Your Home

Look for a machine-washable pet bed.

While some pet beds can be thrown in the washing machine with ease, others need to be handwashed or dry cleaned. “We recommend purchasing a pet bed that states it is ‘machine washable’,” Doss says. “If you can’t find a whole bed that’s able to be washed in a machine, look for one that has a removable (and machine-washable) cover.”

Mind the label.

Not all pet beds are created equally, which is why Doss says it’s important to double check the label before washing one. “Take care to check the label of your pet’s bed for washing and drying instructions so you won’t damage the fill or the fabric,” she says.

Wash in hot water.

Whether your pet bed is machine washable or not, Doss says you’ll want to wash and dry it in the hottest temperatures possible. “Always wash and dry your pet’s bed at the highest setting the instructions allow,” she says. “If the bed isn’t machine washable, fill your bathtub with hot water and handwash it there.”

Only use pet-safe detergents.

Traditional laundry detergents are filled with a slew of chemicals that could be hazardous to your four-legged family member’s health. That’s why Doss says it’s crucial to use a pet-friendly detergent composed of all-natural ingredients, such as Fox + Hound Natural Pet Laundry Detergent ($16.50, shopfoxandhound.com). “Look for detergents with natural cleaning surfactants that will safely remove stains and odor without aggravating sensitive pet skin or allergies,” she says.

Keep things clean in between washes.

If you’re looking for a way to keep your pet’s bed smelling fresh between washes, Doss recommends washing everything that comes into contact with it regularly, too. “Bathe your dog routinely with a high-quality dog shampoo and brush with a pet-friendly fragrance spray between baths,” she says. “Don’t forget to wash the blankets and linen you add to your dog’s bed and the toys that they play with routinely.”

More DIY cleaning tips that are safe for your pets including pre soaking before the machine:

What to wash dog bedding with

https://bestfriendandyou.com/dog-beds/dog-bed-washing#tab-con-11

Choose a dog bed wisely

If you want a clean dog bed, you’ll have to think from scratch. Washing your dog bed should be your primary concern when you’re going to buy a dog bed from a pet store. Check the instructions and tag of the dog bed to know whether the cleaning methods and material of the dog bed are suitable for you or not. People often buy a dog bed by getting inspired from its looks and that it blends well with their home décor. When the dog makes the bed dirty by eating something or urinating on it after a few days, they come to know that the bed cover is not removable or that the size doesn’t fit in their washing machine. Hence, always consider these factors before buying a dog bed.

What should be used to wash your dog bedding?

The answer to this question depends on the type of debris and dirt that is present on your dog’s beds. If the dog bed contains residue and dirt, you can just soak it in soap water for some time and rinse it with clean water. The cosmetic stains are also easy to remove, so you can use soap and water for them. If there is a spot on your dog’s bed that is hard to remove with regular soap and water, use a spot treatment product to clean it. Just make sure it is a non-bleach product as bleach products can cause harm to dog’s skin. If using bleach becomes necessary, try to find chlorine-free bleach. After cleaning with bleach, rinse the bed cover with water many times. Following is an overview of the best dog bed washing agents:

White vinegar or apple cider

This is the easiest and cheapest substance for cleaning your dog’s bed. The good thing is that vinegar is always present at home, so if you don’t have any particular detergent for cleaning, you can try a vinegar and water solution.

To wash your dog’s bed with white vinegar or apple cider, remove the cover and directly place the foam bed into a bathtub. Fill the tub with hot water and put ¼ cup of vinegar and a small quantity of a laundry detergent. If you feel that the bed stinks a lot, you can add ½ cup of vinegar more into the water. Let the bed soak in this solution for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse with clean tap water and remove all the soapy water and squeeze it to dry. If you’re washing the bed cover, make sure you don’t place it on the bed till it’s dry.

Baking soda

Baking soda has odor-absorbing and slightly abrasive characteristics, so it should always be present at your home for cleaning and cooking purposes. It is known to act as a knife for cutting through the grime. When it is used dry, it can absorb all types of odors. You can sprinkle it on your dog’s bed and let it sit there for half an hour. Then, you can simply dust it off or use a vacuum cleaner to clean all the dry powder. If you mix it with water, it forms a thick paste that is used to scrub off all the dirt and debris from the dog’s bed or crate.

To make a baking soda scrub, take equal parts of warm water, baking soda, and salt. Apply this paste to a sponge and clean the bed cover or crate. After you have scrubbed it well, rinse with warm water properly.

Lemon juice

If you dislike the smell of vinegar, you can also use lemon juice which is considered as an all-purpose cleaner. Lemon juice contains enzymes and substances that break down fats, oil, and organic matter. You can use lemon juice on anything, be it your dog’s bed, dishes, or crate.

To use lemon juice effectively to wash your dog’s bed, you’ll need an empty spray bottle, hot water, baking soda, and lemon juice. Baking soda is optional, but if you add it, it can improve the performance of this all-purpose cleaner. Use 3 cups of boiling water, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of fresh and pure lemon juice. First, pour hot water into the spray bottle, then add baking soda and shake it so that it dissolves completely. Finally, add lemon juice and shake it well. Spray on the bed cover or foam and wipe with a damp and clean cloth.

Pet bed washing detergents

There are many pet beds washing detergents available at pet stores for cleaning purposes. If you want to try a cleanser, go for one that doesn’t use any abrasive compounds. Non-bio laundry detergents are good to go. Some detergents contain fragrance and optical brighteners to make the dog bed clean and tidy. These detergents are strong enough to remove all the germs and disease-causing organisms and ensure that the bed appears clean and stain free. Always read the label and ingredients and find out whether the detergent is safe to be used as some dogs might have sensitivities to certain substances.

How to clean a dog bed?

People spend a lot of time cleaning their houses, especially when they have a cute pet roaming around the house. It is unfair to keep your dog away from its bed all the time; instead, you should take steps to clean the bed on a regular basis. You’ll often find your dog’s bed coated with hair, mud, debris, and other stinky things. Take the following steps to clean your dog’s bed:

• Shake the dog’s bed and remove any pieces or lumps of dirt and debris from it. It is better to perform this step outdoors so that there is no chance of your indoor area getting dirty. If the dirt pieces are stubborn, use a stick to make them fall.
• Vacuum if you feel the dust and dog hair have penetrated deep inside the foam or bed cover. You can also use a lint roller to pull out hair from the bedding.
• Soak the bed in water for at least 30 minutes.
• If you see any stubborn or hard stains, use a sponge and apply detergent or homemade cleaner to loosen them.
• Read the tag and if the bed cover is machine washable, select the low hand-washing option and wash it. Look for the restrictions on the tag before selecting the temperature for drying.

How to wash dog bedding with fleas?

If your dog has been infested with fleas, you’ll have to treat it for complete removal of these blood-sucking parasites. While you treat your dog, it is equally necessary that you properly clean your dog’s bedding so that these insects don’t come back. Fleas love to live in warm and wooly places where they can hide easily such as clothing, upholstery, blankets, and different types of fabrics. To be safe from a flea infestation, make sure you clean and wash all the things that your dog has touched or come in contact with. Following are some tips to wash dog bedding infested with fleas:

• Remove the bed cover and shake it well. Use a stick or cloth to loosen all the dirt and debris on it. You’ll also notice fleas falling.
• Use a vacuum cleaner to suck all the fleas from the bedding. Make sure that you empty the vacuum’s tank as soon as possible or else there is a chance that the fleas will spread everywhere.
• Soak the bedding in boiling water in a bathtub for maximum 5 minutes to kill all the eggs and larvae of fleas.
• Don’t leave the bedding for long or else they can cause the filling of the bedding to melt or disintegrate.
• Squeeze the bedding and let it dry in sunlight.
• Look for fleas burrowed inside the bedding lines and hidden areas. If you find any, get rid of them immediately. However, the chances are that they all have been killed due to boiling water.
• Use a pet-friendly spray that can absorb odor and remove all the bad smells. Don’t use heavy amounts of spray or else it may affect your dog’s skin and senses.
• Please make sure you have treated your dog for fleas removal from a vet or else there could a chance that they’ll infest the bedding again.

What temperature to wash dog bedding?

The temperature to wash cat or dog bedding depends on the purpose of cleaning. If you wish to keep your dog bed clean, then you will have to wash and clean it frequently. The vacuum will minimize the dirt and hair present on the bed, but you will have to wash it at least once a week to make sure it is free from germs and diseases. As far as the washing method is concerned, follow the label or tag of the dog bed because different materials need different washing instructions and some are not even machine washable.

The dog bedding should be washed at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit if you are using chlorine bleach or any washing detergent. The high temperature is recommended to kill all the germs and microorganisms that may be present on the dog bedding, especially if it is infested with fleas. If your washing machine has no temperature setting, you should choose the highest temperature so that all the germs are killed.

If your dog has sensitive skin, go for a homemade all-purpose cleaning agent or a natural detergent, and then select an extra rinse cycle on your machine. This will ensure that the bedding is cleaned effectively without compromising on your dog’s health.

The temperature setting for drying the dog bedding should be chosen at the highest possible temperature so that it dries properly and quickly. To keep yourself safe from any infection, always wear gloves and after finishing the cleaning process, wash your hands with soap thoroughly. Keeping yourself protected is important in order to ensure you do not compromise on your health.

What to use to wash dog bedding?

Washing dog bedding every week will reduce the chances of allergies and fleas infestation in your dog. Washing dog bedding depends on the type of dirt or debris present on it. If it has hard stains and stubborn spots on it, you’ll have to use a strong detergent or chlorine bleach to remove it. For cosmetic stains, you’ll only have to use warm water with soap and just rinse out the stains. Vets always recommend avoiding bleaching agents because there are other non-bleach alternatives available that can quickly remove the spots and hard stains. The stubborn areas and spots can also be treated by a homemade all-purpose cleaner such as vinegar solution, lemon juice, and baking soda.

You can use ¼ cup vinegar and add it to a tub of hot water. Soak the dog bedding in it for 15 to 30 minutes. If you want, you can add a mild detergent to this mixture too. If you feel that the stains are hard and stubborn enough, you can add ½ cup vinegar to the water. Rinse the bedding with water and remove all the soapy water from it. You can also use this mixture in your washing machine for cleaning at a high temperature.

The baking soda scrub can be made by adding warm water and a little salt to make a thick paste. This thick scrub can cut through all the grime and dirt effectively. After scrubbing, you can rinse the bedding with water to check if the stains have been removed. You can also put the bedding into the washing machine after cleaning.

The lemon juice solution can also be made by mixing 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. If you want to make the solution more efficient, you can add baking soda to it too. Apart from these homemade cleaners, you can also try the pet bed washing detergents available at the pet stores.

Bottom line some dogs beds are easier to wash then others,  if you have not done so already have a look at our article best washable dog beds.