Owning a dog means that you have a friend and companion to share life with you in a judgment-free way. They give you tons of attention and are always happy to see you.
Of course, you need to feed, wash and groom your pooch, and ensure that they get yearly check-ups at the vet’s.
Although these things are the normal things we think of when owning a dog, there is one important bit most owners are likely to easily forget, and that is washing their pup’s bed. When it comes to washing dog beds, some people might think it is unnecessary to a dog bed, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you are looking for basic washing instructions, Kirkland dog bed washing instructions, Pooch Planet dog bed washing instructions, or how to wash Serta dog bed, read on to find out how to wash your dog bed with stuffing to keep your pooch happy and healthy.
Important Tips
- Before you wash your dog’s bed, ensure that all of the zippers are closed. This will prevent the stuffing from coming out and will protect the zippers from getting damaged.
- If you are drying your dog’s bed in a dryer, make sure it can freely tumble. If it fails to tumble, the heating element may damage the bed due to excessive heat.
- Check the whole dog bed for tears and weaknesses before you wash it. If you find any, fix them before you wash the bed so you can avoid making the problem worse or clogging your drains with the stuffing should it come out of the dog bed.
- If the dog bed has a removable cover, remove and wash it separately according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the tag. It is best to wash the bed cover using pet-safe detergent and hot water. It is best to air dry the dog bed cover, but avoid folding the cover over itself as this will increase the drying time.
Before You Begin
There are a few items you will need to wash your dog’s bed properly. These include:
- Spot stain remover
- Vacuum cleaner
- Pet-safe detergent
- Water
- Deodorizer
Before you wash your pup’s bed, there are some steps you need to follow.
Get Rid of Any Loose Dirt
This is the first and most important step. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt and loose hair. Make several passes over the whole dog bed to ensure all the dirt, dander and dog hair that has accumulated over time is removed.
Focus on the edges and corners as these are the areas where the most dirt and dog hair accumulates, including flea eggs.
Remove Any Nasty Stains
If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your dog’s bed it could be because of a stain left by your pooch. Check the entire bed for the source of the pet odor.
Using spot stain remover that is safe for your dog, remove all the stains on your dog’s bed. Make sure you rinse the bed well when you are done and wring out the water as much as possible.
Once you have removed the dirt and stains from your dog’s bed, read the instructions on the bed’s tag to ensure that you following the correct washing method. You can wash it with your hands, your washing machine or take the dog bed to the laundry if it is too big.
How to Wash a Dog Bed with Stuffing
Detergent and Deodorizer
Add detergent to your washing machine or bathtub. Ensure that it is pet safe laundry detergent and that it won’t irritate your pup’s skin. The best deodorizer to use to remove odors is apple cider vinegar or white vinegar as they will remove smells while remaining safe for your pooch. Wash the bed thoroughly to ensure all dirt and odors are removed. (Please note if you have an orthopedic memory foam dog bed it will need to be spot cleaned as they are not designed to go into the washing machine.)
Rinse the Dog Bed
Once you have washed the bed, drain the water from the tub and rinse the bed with warm water and wring as much water from the dog bed as possible and repeat until there are no more soap bubbles in the water after rinsing. If you are using a washing machine, use a warm rinse cycle before a fast spin.
Let it Dry
Squeeze as much water from the dog bed as possible. You can dry the dog bed on a washing rack or in a dryer if yours is big enough. Place the bed in the sun for a day or two to let it dry completely.
Check the thickest areas for dampness. If the rest of the dog bed is dry but the thicker areas are still damp, you can use a hair dryer on a low heat to speed up the process.
Fluff the Dog Bed
Once the bed is completely dry, pull the stuffing gently to part it and fluff it to restore its soft sleeping surface cushion. Remember to move the stuffing into areas that have flattened out so your dog has a nice, soft bed again.
Final Verdict
Although it may seem simple, many people are unsure about how to wash a dog bed with stuffing. By following the above steps, your dog’s bed will be as clean as new in no time, ensuring that your pooch has a healthy and hygienic place to sleep and rest. In the same way that you want a clean bed to sleep in, so does your pup.
Plus, a clean dog bed means there are no bad odors around your home.
can you wash Kirkland dog beds
Kirkland dog bed