How to Wash a Dog Bed: A Cover-and-Foam Care Guide

Learning how to wash a dog bed starts with one distinction: a washable cover does not necessarily mean a washable cushion. Before adding water, separate the care instructions for the fabric, filling, and any removable liner.

This guide focuses on everyday cleaning and three removable-cover beds currently listed at Petly. The product examples illustrate care requirements; we have not independently tested their wash performance.

1. Read the label before choosing a wash cycle

The first step in how to wash a dog bed is to locate its sewn-in label and the instructions for your exact model. Photograph them so you can check them again after removing the cover. Look for separate washing and drying directions, plus restrictions on bleach, ironing, and foam inserts.

• Removable cover: check whether the fabric can go in the washer.
• Inner cushion: do not assume the cover's instructions apply to the filling.
• Missing directions: ask the manufacturer before soaking or machine-washing the bed.

2. Make a care card for the bed you own

A simple care card makes how to wash a dog bed easier to repeat. Write down the model, washable parts, drying method, and where you saved the label photo. Leave unknown settings blank until you verify them.

For example, the listings for the gray 35-by-23-inch EHEYCIGA bed, beige 50-by-36-inch version, and fog-purple 30-by-20-inch version all specify a machine-washable zippered cover, low-heat tumble drying, no bleach, no ironing, and an inner foam insert that is not washable.

Those listings do not specify a wash temperature or cycle. Check the physical label rather than choosing a hot cycle by default. The purple listing also gives conflicting thickness information, so confirm thickness with the seller if it affects your purchase. Its waterproof feature label does not override the explicit instruction against washing the foam.

3. Remove loose debris and inspect the cover

When planning how to wash a dog bed, do the dry preparation first. Lift off loose hair and dirt with a vacuum attachment or lint-removal tool. Pay attention to seams and corners. Inspect the zipper and fabric for damage before taking out the cushion.

The American Kennel Club's cleaning guide recommends removing hair before washing. It also emphasizes matching the method to the material, size, and manufacturer's directions. Keep the dry insert away from the laundry area so it cannot accidentally go into the machine with the cover.

4. Wash only the approved parts

The safest answer to how to wash a dog bed depends on its construction. For the three examples above, the cover goes through the approved process; the foam stays out. For a different bed, follow that bed's instructions instead.

Use the detergent dose and fabric settings specified by the relevant labels. Avoid packing a bulky item into a washer that cannot accommodate it; check the appliance's load guidance. A laundromat is an option only if its rules permit pet bedding and the bed's care instructions allow machine washing.

VCA's household-cleaning guidance advises keeping dogs away from the cleaning area and rinsing detergent thoroughly. Keep laundry products out of reach. If you suspect chemical exposure, contact your veterinarian promptly.

5. Check drying instructions separately

Drying is part of how to wash a dog bed, not a step to rush. The listed EHEYCIGA covers permit low-heat tumble drying. That instruction applies to the cover, not the non-washable foam. Other fabrics may require a different method.

Wait until the cover is completely dry before putting it back on the insert. Inspect folds and seams, then check that the cover fits without forcing the zipper. Give your dog another clean resting place while the bedding is unavailable.

6. Decide what to do about the insert

If you are researching how to wash a dog bed after a spill has reached the filling, stop before soaking it. For a non-washable insert, ask the manufacturer about approved spot care or replacement. A clean cover alone does not resolve a contaminated cushion.

Record which part became wet and what happened, then share that information when asking for care advice. If illness or parasites are involved, ask your veterinarian for cleaning instructions appropriate to that situation rather than treating ordinary laundry as disinfection.

7. Keep a practical cleaning record

Once you know how to wash a dog bed correctly, save a short record: last cleaning date, parts washed, drying method, and anything that needs repair. Check the bed regularly and clean sooner after visible soiling. The AKC notes that use, coat type, outdoor activity, and household circumstances affect cleaning frequency.

For your next purchase, compare access to the zipper, clear care instructions, and whether replacement covers are available. Confirm that last point with the seller rather than assuming every removable cover can be bought separately. Use our dog bed sizing guide to check sleeping space, and our at-home bathing guide for a separate coat-care routine.