Key Steps:
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Vacuum the dog bed thoroughly.
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Place the dog’s blankets and bedding into the washing machine.
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Dry the bedding as recommended by the manufacturer.
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Wash dog bedding weekly, and vacuum in-between washes.
We all love our dogs, but we enjoy their company even more when they smell fresh! Washing dog bedding and the dog’s accessories (and the dog itself!) not only keeps doggy smells at bay but also helps to keep your home hygienic. Your dog may look adorable, but it has the potential to harbour some nasty germs and bacteria, so washing its bed regularly and thoroughly is important. Read on to find out how to make dog bed cleaning an easy addition to your housework schedule.
Regular dog bed cleaning is quick and easy for machine washable items so make this one of your priorities when you’re choosing your dog’s bedding!
Dog Bed Cleaning – How Often?
Washing dog bedding and blankets should be on your weekly cleaning regime, to avoid any build-up of germs and harmful pathogens, not to mention that distinctive whiff! The more regularly the bedding is washed, the easier it will be to restore it to a clean and germ-free state. Keep your dog’s bed fresh between washes by vacuuming it regularly. This should be done on a daily basis if your dog moults a lot or if anyone in the home is prone to allergies.
How to Choose a Dog Bed
Ideally choose a dog bed that is machine washable – washing dog bedding in the washing machine is much easier, more thorough and more hygienic than handwashing. If the bulk of your dog’s bed is not machine washable, it should have a removable outer case that can be washed easily. In this case, place a bin bag or plastic sheet between the dog bed and the removable outer case to protect the inner stuffing from becoming dirty or smelly. That way you won’t need to wash this part quite as often.
How to Clean a Dog Bed
Dog bed cleaning is a quick and easy addition to the weekly cleaning schedule with these six steps.
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Begin by vacuuming the dog’s bed thoroughly to remove dog hairs. This will make washing dog bedding much easier and more effective.
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Pre-treat any stains by applying a stain removing liquid detergent like Persil Liquid. Work the detergent into the stain using the Stain Eraser ball. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before applying any detergent and test on a small area of the fabric beforehand.
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Place the whole bed (if it’s machine washable), or the removable outer layer, straight into the washing machine, along with any dog’s blankets or machine washable toys. Washing dog blankets in the washing machine should be fine, but always check the manufacturer’s care instructions just in case.
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Set the washing machine to the manufacturer’s recommended wash cycle, and the highest recommended water temperature for the items being washed.
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Dry the dog bed as recommended by the manufacturer – either in the tumble dryer on a low setting, or hang it up to air dry naturally.
How to Wash Dog Bedding by Hand
If your dog’s bedding is not machine washable, follow the aforementioned steps 1 and 2, before filling the bath with warm water. Add a detergent designed for handwashing according to the dose specified on the packaging. Ensure that it is fully dissolved before submerging the dog bed fully, making sure the inner stuffing is fully saturated.
Leave it to soak for 10 minutes, before swishing it around and scrubbing any problem areas with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse the bed thoroughly in cold water, ensuring that all of the detergent has been removed. Squeeze out the excess water and dry as instructed on the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Both you and your dog can relax now that you know how to wash dog bedding and blankets!
