Dog beds collect fur, dirt, drool, dander, and bacteria. A bed that looks clean on the surface can harbor allergens and odors deep inside the filling. Regular washing is essential for your dog's health and your home's hygiene — but how you wash a dog bed depends entirely on what kind of bed you have.
How to Wash a Traditional One-Piece Dog Bed
Most traditional dog beds are a single unit with stuffing enclosed in a sewn cover. Washing these is challenging because:
- Many are too large to fit in a home washing machine
- The filling clumps, shifts, or loses shape when saturated
- Drying takes 24-48 hours, leaving your dog without a bed
- Some covers aren't removable, limiting you to spot cleaning
If the cover is removable:
- Remove the cover and check the care label for washing instructions
- Shake off loose fur and debris, or use a lint roller
- Machine wash the cover on a gentle cycle with warm water and pet-safe detergent
- Tumble dry on low heat or air dry
- Vacuum the inner filling or spot clean with baking soda and a damp cloth
If the cover is not removable:
- Vacuum the entire bed surface to remove loose fur and debris
- Spot clean stains with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water
- For deep cleaning, take the bed to a commercial laundromat with large-capacity machines
- Air dry completely before letting your dog use it — a damp bed can grow mold and mildew
How to Wash a Modular Dog Bed (Step by Step)
A modular dog bed like the Dazzling Doggie Duvet is designed to be fully disassembled and machine washed. Here's the complete process:
Step 1: Remove the Duvet Cover
If your modular bed uses magnetic-snap attachment (like the Dazzling Doggie Duvet), simply pull the cover away from the base. No unzipping, no unbuttoning — the magnets release cleanly. Set the cover aside.
Step 2: Remove the Pillow Inserts
Open the button closures on each pillow pocket in the base and remove the pillow inserts. For a 6-pillow large bed, this takes about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Wash Each Component Separately
Each component fits in a standard home washing machine:
- Duvet cover: Machine wash warm, gentle cycle, pet-safe detergent. Tumble dry low.
- Pillow inserts (standard fill): Machine wash warm, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low with dryer balls to prevent clumping.
- Pillow inserts (orthopedic support): Machine wash on gentle cycle with mild detergent. Air dry completely before reinserting.
- Pillow-pocket base: Machine wash warm, gentle cycle. Air dry or tumble dry low.
Step 4: Reassemble
Once everything is dry, insert the pillows back into their pockets, button them closed, and snap the duvet cover back on. The entire wash-to-reassembly process can be done in a single laundry cycle.
How Often Should You Wash Your Dog's Bed?
The answer depends on your dog and living situation:
- Cover: Wash weekly. It collects the most fur, dirt, and odor.
- Pillow inserts: Wash every 2-4 weeks, or when they develop odor.
- Base: Wash monthly, or as needed.
- After illness: Wash all components immediately if your dog has been sick.
- Seasonal deep clean: Wash everything at the start of each season.
Tips for Keeping a Dog Bed Fresh Between Washes
- Vacuum or lint-roll the cover every few days
- Sprinkle baking soda on the surface, let it sit 15 minutes, then vacuum it up to neutralize odors
- Use a waterproof liner (the Dazzling Doggie Duvet offers a button-on option) to protect the base from accidents
- Rotate between two covers so one is always clean and ready
- Keep the bed in a well-ventilated area to reduce moisture buildup
Regular washing isn't just about keeping the bed smelling fresh — it removes allergens, bacteria, and dust mites that can affect both your dog's health and your indoor air quality. A modular bed system that's designed for easy, complete washing makes this maintenance realistic rather than aspirational.