Washable Dog Beds: How to Keep Your Companion's Bed Clean
A dog bed earns its keep over years of daily use — which means it has to stay clean. The most practical luxury beds are built around a removable, machine-washable cover so everyday hair, dust, and the occasional mess wipe out of your routine. Knowing what "washable" really means — and how it differs from "waterproof" — helps you choose a bed that stays fresh and lasts.
Key Takeaways
- "Washable" almost always means the cover. A quality bed has a removable cover that machine washes; the foam or fill core is spot cleaned, not soaked.
- Wash the cover cold, line dry. No heat, bleach, or bleach alternatives — heat and harsh chemicals break down covers and foam.
- Washable is not the same as waterproof. A washable cover cleans up messes; a waterproof liner stops liquid from reaching the cushioning in the first place. Many homes want both.
- A removable cover is what makes a bed last — and keeps a luxury bed hygienic enough for everyday use.
- Buy a bed with a spare-cover option if your companion sheds heavily or has accidents, so the bed is never out of use on laundry day.
What makes a dog bed washable?
A dog bed is "washable" when its cover unzips and removes for machine washing, leaving the foam or fill core to be cleaned separately. The removable cover is the part that meets dirt, hair, and moisture, so being able to take it off and wash it is what keeps the whole bed fresh. Beds with sewn-in, non-removable covers are far harder to keep clean and tend to wear out faster.
Are dog beds machine washable?
The covers are — the cores usually are not. On a well-made bed, the unzipped cover goes in the washing machine on cold and is line dried, while the memory foam or fill insert is spot cleaned rather than machine washed, because saturating foam breaks down its structure. So "machine washable dog bed" really means a machine-washable cover over a spot-clean core.
Can you wash the whole dog bed, or just the cover?
For most quality beds, you wash the cover and spot clean the core. Fully submersible beds exist — typically small, all-fiber-fill designs — but any bed with a supportive foam core should not be soaked, as it damages the foam and never fully dries. The practical, longer-lasting approach is a removable cover you wash often and a core you spot clean as needed.
How do you wash a dog bed?
Wash a dog bed by unzipping the cover, machine washing it in cold water, and line drying — with no heat, bleach, or bleach alternatives. For the core, spot clean it with a solution of half white vinegar and half water and let it air dry fully before replacing the cover. Vacuuming hair off the cover before washing, and washing on a regular cadence, keeps the bed freshest.
- Unzip and remove the cover; shake or vacuum off loose hair.
- Machine wash the cover in cold water; line dry — no heat, bleach, or bleach alternatives.
- Spot clean the foam or fill core with a half-white-vinegar, half-water solution.
- Let the core air dry fully, then replace the cover.
Washable vs. waterproof — what's the difference?
A washable cover lets you clean up after messes; a waterproof liner stops liquid from soaking into the cushioning in the first place. They solve different problems and work best together: the washable cover handles everyday hair and dirt, while an optional Luxura-Protect™ liner protects the interior from accidents, incontinence, and spills. For an accident-prone or senior companion, pair both.
For more on protection options, read Waterproof vs. Outdoor Dog Beds.
What is the best washable dog bed?
The best washable dog bed has a removable, machine-washable cover in a durable, upholstery-grade fabric, over a quality core that holds up to the wash-and-spot-clean routine — ideally with an optional waterproof liner and a spare cover available. Prioritize cover removability and fabric durability over a "fully washable" label, because a bed you can keep clean for years is more valuable than one that simply survives a single soak.
What about non-removable or fiber-filled beds?
For a bed with a non-removable cover, you are limited to spot cleaning and surface laundering, which is why removable covers are worth prioritizing. Small all-fiber-fill beds may be fully machine washable — check the label — but they offer less support than a foam core. If you already own a non-washable favorite, a washable blanket or throw on top can take the daily wear and be laundered easily.
What are Animals Matter® covers made of, and how do they hold up?
Animals Matter® beds are built with removable, upholstery-grade covers designed to unzip for cold-water machine washing and line drying, over CertiPUR-US® certified foam or LUXURA-FILL® cores that are spot cleaned. Select textiles are sourced from mills that meet OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 requirements where applicable, and optional Luxura-Protect™ liners add waterproof protection. The covers are made to handle regular washing while keeping their refined look. Learn more about our materials and technology.
Related Guides
- Waterproof vs. Outdoor Dog Beds
- Memory Foam Dog Beds: Are They Worth It?
- How to Choose the Right Luxury Dog Bed
Choosing with confidence
For a bed that stays fresh through years of daily life, prioritize a removable, machine-washable cover in a durable fabric, plan to spot clean the core, and add a waterproof liner if accidents are a concern. That combination keeps your companion's bed clean, hygienic, and beautiful — without becoming a chore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dog beds machine washable?
The covers are; the cores usually are not. On a well-made bed, the unzipped cover machine washes on cold and line dries, while the foam or fill core is spot cleaned, because soaking foam breaks down its structure.
Can you wash the whole dog bed or just the cover?
For most quality beds, you wash the cover and spot clean the core. Some small, all-fiber-fill beds are fully washable, but any bed with a supportive foam core should not be submerged, as it damages the foam and never fully dries.
How do you wash a dog bed?
Unzip the cover, machine wash it in cold water, and line dry — no heat, bleach, or bleach alternatives. Spot clean the core with a half-white-vinegar, half-water solution and let it air dry fully before replacing the cover.
What is the difference between a washable and a waterproof dog bed?
A washable cover lets you clean up messes; a waterproof liner stops liquid from soaking into the cushioning in the first place. They work best together — a washable cover for everyday dirt and an optional Luxura-Protect liner for accidents.
What is the best washable dog bed?
One with a removable, machine-washable cover in a durable, upholstery-grade fabric over a quality core, ideally with an optional waterproof liner and a spare cover available. Cover removability and fabric durability matter more than a "fully washable" label.
Can you machine wash memory foam?
No. Machine washing or soaking memory foam breaks down its structure. Only the cover is machine washable; the foam core should be spot cleaned and air dried.
How do you clean a dog bed that is not washable?
Spot clean and surface launder it, since you cannot remove the cover — which is why removable covers are worth prioritizing. Adding a washable blanket or throw on top lets you launder the part that takes the daily wear.
Explore Easy-Care, Lasting Comfort
Discover luxury dog beds with removable, washable covers and optional waterproof protection — built to stay fresh and beautiful for years.