How to Wash and Clean a Dog Bed: Covers, Foam, and Fill
A clean bed is one your companion returns to without a second thought.
To wash a dog bed, unzip and remove the cover, machine wash it in cold water, and hang dry it, with no dryer on any setting, no bleach, and no bleach alternatives. The foam or fill insert is never machine washed: spot treat it with a 50/50 mix of organic white vinegar and water, then let it dry fully in open air, never in a dryer, before the cover goes back on. Washing the cover and caring for the insert separately is what keeps a good bed fresh and keeps it lasting.
Key Takeaways
- Wash the cover, spot treat the insert. On a well-made bed, "washable" means the removable cover. The foam or fill core is cleaned in place, never soaked.
- Cold water, hang dry. Never in a dryer, on any setting, including air, no-heat or fluff. No dryer heat, no bleach, and no bleach alternatives on covers.
- Vinegar and water for the insert. Half organic white vinegar and half water, blotted onto the soiled area, then a full dry in open air, never in a dryer.
- Washable is not waterproof. A washable cover cleans up after a mess; a waterproof liner helps keep liquid away from the cushioning in the first place.
- Keep a rhythm. A quick shake or vacuum every few days and a regular cover wash keep hair and odor from building up.
How do you wash a dog bed, step by step?
Treat the bed as two parts, the cover and the insert, and give each the care it needs.
- Remove loose hair first. Shake the cover outdoors or vacuum it, so hair does not mat in the wash.
- Unzip and remove the cover. Check the care label on the cover before washing.
- Machine wash the cover in cold water. No bleach and no bleach alternatives.
- Hang dry the cover. No dryer heat, which can shrink or wear the fabric.
- Spot treat the insert. Lightly spray or dab a 50/50 mix of organic white vinegar and water onto the soiled area, then blot. Do not saturate the foam or fill.
- Let the insert dry fully in open air, never in a dryer, then zip the dry cover back on.
How do you clean a dog bed without washing the insert?
Most day-to-day cleaning never needs the washing machine. For hair, vacuum the cover with an upholstery attachment or use a lint roller. For a spot or a small accident, blot up as much as you can right away, then dab the area with the vinegar and water mix and let it dry fully in open air, never in a dryer. Blotting works better than rubbing, which pushes moisture deeper into the cushioning.
For a musty smell, remove the cover for a cold wash and let the insert air out in a dry, well-ventilated room while the cover dries. Give the insert time; reassembling a damp bed traps moisture inside.
How often should you wash a dog bed?
A common rhythm is to shake or vacuum the cover every few days and wash it every week or two, and sooner after a muddy walk, a bath day, or an accident. Dogs who shed heavily or spend long hours on the bed may need the cover washed more often. The insert only needs spot treatment when something reaches it.
Can you put a dog bed in the dryer?
No, not on any setting, including air, no-heat or fluff. Hang dry the cover, and let the foam or fill insert dry fully in open air. Heat can shrink and wear cover fabrics, and an insert should never go in a dryer or a washing machine.
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 cared for separately. The cover is the part that meets hair, dirt, and moisture, so being able to take it off and wash it is what keeps the whole bed fresh. Beds with sewn-in covers are much harder to keep clean.
Our beds are built this way: an upholstery-grade cover that unzips for a cold-water machine wash, over a Companion-Pedic® memory foam or Luxura-Fill® core that is spot treated, never soaked.
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 hung to dry, while the memory foam or fill insert is spot treated 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 a quality bed, wash the cover and spot treat the core. Some beds sold as fully washable are small, all-fiber-fill designs, so check the label. Any bed with a supportive foam core should not be submerged, because water damages the foam and it may never fully dry.
Washable vs. waterproof: what's the difference?
A washable cover lets you clean up after messes; a waterproof liner helps keep liquid away from the cushioning in the first place. They solve different problems and work best together: the washable cover handles everyday hair and dirt, while Luxura-Protect™, our optional waterproof liner, sits beneath the cover to help shield the insert from spills and occasional accidents. For a companion who has frequent accidents, a waterproof blanket over the bed adds a second layer.
For more on protection options, read Waterproof vs. Outdoor Dog Beds, or see our guide to the best waterproof dog bed.
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-treat routine, ideally with an optional waterproof liner. Prioritize cover removability and fabric durability over a "fully washable" label, because a bed you can keep clean for years is worth more than one that simply survives a single soak.
Can you get a washable cover for a dog bed you already own?
Sometimes. Dog bed covers are cut to a specific silhouette, so a universal cover rarely fits well. We offer the machine-washable Katie Puff® Ortho Rectangle Luxura-Protect™ Waterproof Cover for compatible rectangle beds, and handle other beds personally through our Replacement Covers service.
What are Animals Matter® covers made of, and how do they hold up?
Our beds are built with removable, upholstery-grade covers designed to unzip for cold-water machine washing and hang drying, over CertiPUR-US® certified foam or Luxura-Fill® cores that are spot treated. Select textiles are sourced from mills that meet OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 requirements where applicable, and optional Luxura-Protect™ liners add waterproof protection. Learn more about our materials and technology.
Related Guides
- Best Waterproof Dog Bed: How to Choose Sealed, Lasting Protection
- Waterproof vs. Outdoor Dog Beds
- Memory Foam Dog Beds: Are They Worth It?
- How to Choose the Right Luxury Dog Bed
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wash a dog bed?
Unzip the cover, machine wash it in cold water, and hang dry it, with no dryer on any setting, no bleach, and no bleach alternatives. Spot treat the foam or fill insert with a 50/50 mix of organic white vinegar and water and let it dry fully in open air, never in a dryer, before replacing the cover.
How do you clean a dog bed that you cannot put in the washer?
Vacuum or lint roll the surface, blot any spot right away, then dab it with half organic white vinegar and half water and let it dry fully in open air, never in a dryer. Blot rather than rub, so moisture does not sink deeper into the cushioning.
How often should you wash a dog bed?
A common rhythm is to shake or vacuum the cover every few days and wash it every week or two, and sooner after muddy walks or accidents. The insert only needs spot treatment when something reaches it.
Can you put a dog bed in the dryer?
No, not on any setting, including air, no-heat or fluff. Hang dry the cover and let the insert dry fully in open air. Heat can shrink and wear cover fabrics, and an insert should never go in a dryer or a washing machine.
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 hangs to dry, while the foam or fill core is spot treated, because soaking foam breaks down its structure.
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 treated and dried fully in open air, never in a dryer.
How do you get the smell out of a dog bed?
Wash the cover cold and hang dry it, and let the insert air out in a dry, well-ventilated room while the cover dries. Spot treat any soiled area of the insert with half organic white vinegar and half water, and reassemble only when everything is fully dry.
What is the difference between a washable and a waterproof dog bed?
A washable cover lets you clean up messes; a waterproof liner helps keep liquid away from the cushioning in the first place. They work best together: a washable cover for everyday dirt and an optional Luxura-Protect™ liner beneath it for spills and occasional accidents.
Explore Easy-Care, Lasting Comfort
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Cared for this way, the bed stays the softest, most familiar place in the house for years.