How to Clean a Pet Bed (and Keep It Fresh Longer)

Pet beds collect fur, dander, saliva, skin oils, and tracked-in dirt faster than almost any other item in the house. A quick vacuum and a surface spray do not reach what has soaked into the fill or bonded to the fabric. Getting a pet bed genuinely clean requires a repeatable wash routine, the right products, and a few odor-control tricks between washes.

This guide walks through the full process: prep, washing by bed type, drying safely, and keeping the bed fresher between laundry days.

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details: Affiliate Disclosure.

Start here: Check the care label before washing. Most modern pet beds with removable covers are machine washable. Beds with memory foam or non-removable fill need special handling covered below.

Quick Answer: How to Clean a Pet Bed

• Remove loose fur with a lint roller or stiff brush before loading the washer.
• Pre-treat stains and odor spots with an enzyme cleaner — it breaks down pet proteins that detergent alone misses.
• Wash on warm or hot water (depending on fabric) with a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent.
• Dry on low heat until fully dry — damp fill grows mildew within 24 hours.
• Wash covers weekly, full bed monthly, or more often if the pet has skin issues or allergies.

Why Regular Pet Bed Washing Matters

Pet dander is one of the most persistent indoor allergens, and it accumulates heavily in bedding. According to the EPA's guide to indoor air quality, pet allergens can remain airborne and surface-embedded for months even after a pet is removed from the home. For households with allergy sufferers, a consistent pet bedding wash routine is part of a broader indoor allergen strategy — covered in detail in our guide on building a laundry routine to reduce indoor allergens.

What You Need Before You Start

• Lint roller or pet hair removal brush
• Enzyme-based pet stain and odor cleaner
• Fragrance-free, pet-safe detergent
• White vinegar (optional, for odor boost)
• Baking soda (optional, for deodorizing during wash)
• Dryer balls (for even drying and fluffing fill)

Step 1: Remove Pet Hair Before the Wash

Pet hair clumps in the washer, coats the drum, and blocks drain filters. Removing as much as possible before loading saves your machine and gets better results. Shake the bed outside first, then go over it with a lint roller or a rubber-bristled pet hair brush. For beds with thick fur buildup, a quick run through the dryer on air-only for 10 minutes will loosen hair before the wash — then clean the lint trap before starting the cycle.

To remove pet hair from laundry effectively, including from the washer drum itself, see our dedicated guide on the topic.

Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains and Odors

Pet odors come from organic compounds — urine, saliva, skin oils — that regular detergent does not fully break down. An enzyme cleaner contains protease and other enzymes that digest these compounds at the molecular level. Spray generously on any visible stains or high-odor areas, let sit for 10–15 minutes, then load into the washer without rinsing.

For fresh urine accidents, blot as much liquid as possible first, apply enzyme cleaner, wait, then wash. Dried urine requires a longer soak: spray, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for 30 minutes before washing.

Step 3: Choose the Right Wash Cycle

Wash temperature depends on fill material and fabric:

• Removable cotton or canvas covers: Hot water (130°F+) kills dust mites and bacteria most effectively.
• Polyester fiberfill beds: Warm water (85–105°F) to avoid damaging synthetic fill.
• Memory foam covers: Cold or warm water, gentle cycle — heat can cause cover fabric to shrink.
• Beds with wool or natural fiber: Cold water, wool/delicate cycle.

Use a fragrance-free, pet-safe detergent — strong fragrances irritate pets' sensitive noses and may cause them to avoid the freshly washed bed. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to neutralize remaining odors without leaving detergent residue. To understand why detergent residue causes issues for both humans and pets, see our guide on choosing detergent for sensitive skin — the same residue principles apply.

Pet Bed Wash Guide by Bed Type

Bed Type	Water Temp	Cycle	Special Notes
Removable cover (cotton/canvas)	Hot (130°F+)	Normal	Wash cover weekly, replace fill annually
All-in-one polyester fiberfill	Warm	Normal or bulky	Use front-loader or large-capacity top-loader
Memory foam (cover only)	Cold or warm	Gentle	Never machine wash foam — spot clean and air dry only
Orthopedic bolster bed	Warm	Bulky / large load	May need a laundromat-size machine
Wool or natural fiber	Cold	Wool/delicate	Air dry only — dryer heat causes felting
Waterproof-lined bed	Cold or warm	Gentle	High heat damages waterproof coating

Step 4: Dry Thoroughly

Incomplete drying is the number one cause of pet bed odor returning within days. Mildew develops in damp fill in under 24 hours. Pet fill, especially polyester fiberfill and bolsters, holds moisture much longer than it appears from the outside.

Use low heat with dryer balls to prevent clumping and improve airflow through the fill. Stop the dryer mid-cycle, pull the bed out, and squeeze the fill to check for damp spots. Separate any clumped fill by hand and continue drying. Large beds may need two full dryer cycles.

For beds that cannot go in the dryer, air dry outside in direct sunlight when possible. UV exposure helps kill bacteria and speed drying time. See the full guide on low vs high heat dryer settings for which materials can tolerate heat and how long to run each cycle.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Pet Bed

Memory foam cannot go in the washer or dryer. Water saturates foam and it never fully dries inside a machine cycle, leading to mold. Instead:

1. Remove and wash the cover separately following the fabric-appropriate instructions above.
2. Vacuum the foam surface with an upholstery attachment.
3. Spot clean soiled areas by applying enzyme cleaner, working in gently with a cloth, and blotting dry.
4. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire foam surface, let sit 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.
5. Air dry the foam completely (several hours) before replacing the cover.

Keeping the Pet Bed Fresh Between Washes

A wash routine is more effective when combined with maintenance habits that slow down odor buildup:

• Weekly vacuum: Remove loose hair and dander from the surface and seams with a upholstery brush.
• Baking soda deodorize: Sprinkle a thin layer over the bed, let sit 15 minutes, vacuum off. Safe for all materials.
• Use a washable waterproof liner: Place a machine-washable waterproof mattress protector cut to size under the top cover. Wash it weekly.
• Rotate two covers: If the bed has removable covers, buy a second one so one is always clean while the other is washing.

How Often to Wash a Pet Bed

Situation	Cover Wash Frequency	Full Bed Wash Frequency
Healthy adult dog, no skin issues	Weekly	Monthly
Dog with skin condition or allergies	Every 3–4 days	Every 2 weeks
Cat bed (lower odor generally)	Every 1–2 weeks	Monthly
Household with human allergies	Weekly	Every 2 weeks
After illness or flea treatment	Immediately after treatment	Immediately after treatment

Cleaning the Washer After Pet Loads

After washing a pet bed, run a drum-cleaning cycle or an empty hot-water cycle before the next regular laundry load. Pet hair and dander that remain in the drum can transfer onto the next load. For a full routine, see our guide on how to clean your washer after pet loads and prevent buildup over time.

If you are managing pet hair across multiple laundry types, also check our guide on how to remove pet hair from laundry, which covers fabric types, wash order strategy, and drum maintenance.

Recommended Products for Pet Bed Washing

• Enzyme Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator: See current options on Amazon — Breaks down pet proteins that detergent alone cannot remove. Essential for urine and saliva stains.
• Fragrance-Free Pet Laundry Detergent: See current options on Amazon — Gentle formula without irritants that deter pets from using the freshly washed bed.
• Pet Hair Remover Roller (Extra Sticky): See current options on Amazon — Removes embedded fur before loading. Protect your washer drain and drum.
• Wool Dryer Balls: See current options on Amazon — Prevent fill from clumping during drying and cut dry time on bulky beds.
• Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets: See current options on Amazon — Run after pet loads to remove hair, dander, and odor residue from the drum and door seal.

FAQ: Cleaning Pet Beds

Can I wash a dog bed in a top-loading washer?

Yes, but use a machine without a center agitator if possible. The agitator can tear seams on stuffed beds. If you only have an agitator machine, use a large mesh laundry bag to protect the bed structure, or take large beds to a laundromat with front-loading commercial machines.

How do I get the wet dog smell out of a bed?

Enzyme cleaner before the wash, white vinegar in the rinse cycle, and complete drying eliminate most wet dog odor. If the smell persists after washing, the fill itself may need replacing — some fills absorb odor permanently over time. A new polyester fiberfill insert for existing covers is inexpensive.

Can I use bleach on a pet bed?

Avoid chlorine bleach — it can irritate pets' skin and respiratory systems. Oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) is safer on white or color-safe fabrics and effectively kills bacteria without harsh fumes. Check the care label and test on a small area first.

What temperature kills flea eggs in laundry?

Washing at 130°F (54°C) or higher for a full cycle, followed by a hot dryer cycle, kills flea eggs and larvae. For flea treatment, wash all pet bedding, throw rugs, and soft furnishings the pet regularly contacts on the same day as the flea treatment application.

My pet refuses to use the bed after washing. What's wrong?

Fragrance is almost always the cause. Pets have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and a freshly laundered scent that smells "clean" to us is disorienting for them. Use unscented detergent, skip dryer sheets and fabric softener, and avoid overly aromatic vinegar rinses. After drying, rub the bed lightly with a cloth that has the pet's existing scent on it to help reintroduce their odor.

How do I remove the yellow stains on a white pet bed?

Pre-soak in a solution of oxygen bleach and warm water for 30 minutes before washing. If staining is from saliva or urine, apply enzyme cleaner first, let it work for 15 minutes, then add to the oxygen bleach soak. For stubborn staining on old beds, commercial pet bed stain removers with hydrogen peroxide work well on white fabrics.

Summary

A consistent pet bed washing routine — weekly covers, monthly full wash — combined with the right enzyme cleaner and a thorough dry makes a measurable difference in home odor and pet health. The most common mistakes are skipping pre-treatment, under-drying, and using fragrant detergents that discourage the pet from using the bed after washing. Get those three things right and the routine takes under 30 minutes of active effort per wash.

Want a simple pet-laundry routine that keeps your home fresher? Subscribe below for weekly laundry guides.

---

Related Articles

• o
• o