How to Wash and Care for Your Dog’s or Cat’s Bed (Without Ruining It)

Pet beds absorb a lot — shed fur, drool, dirt tracked in from outside, and general everyday grime — yet they’re one of the most neglected things to actually clean in most households. A bed that never gets washed doesn’t just look and smell worse over time; it can also hold onto allergens, odor-causing bacteria, and even fleas or mites.

The good news is that washing a pet bed properly isn’t complicated once you know what your specific bed can handle.

How Often You Should Actually Wash It

As a general baseline, wash your pet’s bed every one to two weeks for regular use, and more often if your pet has skin issues, goes outside frequently, or sheds heavily. A quick shake-out or vacuum between full washes helps in between, especially during heavier shedding stretches — our dog coat types and cat coat types brushing guides can help you get ahead of shedding before it ends up in the bed in the first place.

Check the Care Label First

Before tossing any bed in the wash, check whether the cover is removable and what material it’s made from. Many beds, including PawNest’s cozy khaki cloth pet bed, use washable fabric covers designed to come off separately from any inner cushion or padding — washing just the cover is usually gentler and more effective than trying to wash the whole bed as one piece.

Machine Washing: What Actually Works

For machine-washable covers and cushions, a few habits make a real difference: wash on a cold or warm (not hot) cycle to protect stuffing and stitching, use a mild, unscented detergent since pets can be sensitive to strong fragrances, and skip fabric softener, which can reduce a fabric’s ability to wick moisture and irritate sensitive skin. Adding a couple of old towels to the load can help balance the wash, especially for stuffed or cushioned beds.

Drying Without Damaging the Bed

Low heat or air-drying is safer than a hot dryer cycle for most pet beds, since high heat can break down foam padding or cause stuffing to clump unevenly. If you’re air-drying, make sure the bed is fully dry all the way through before your pet uses it again — a bed that’s damp in the middle is a good environment for mildew and odor to build back up almost immediately.

Beds That Can’t Go in the Washer

Some beds, particularly ones with memory foam inserts or non-removable covers, aren’t meant for a washing machine at all. For these, spot cleaning with a pet-safe fabric cleaner and a soft brush, combined with regular vacuuming and sunlight exposure (which naturally helps with odor and some bacteria), is the more realistic routine.

Dealing With Persistent Odor

If a bed still smells after a normal wash, a baking soda soak before washing — sprinkling it on, letting it sit for 15–20 minutes, then vacuuming it off before the wash cycle — can help lift embedded odor. Persistent smell despite regular washing is sometimes a sign it’s time to replace the bed rather than keep cleaning it, especially for older cushioned beds that have lost their shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash a pet bed with my regular laundry?

It’s better to wash it separately, both to avoid spreading pet hair and dander onto your other clothes and to use a wash setting appropriate for the bed’s material.

My pet’s bed has a bad smell that won’t go away. What now?

Try a baking soda pre-treatment before washing, and check whether the cover is actually getting fully clean versus just refreshed on the surface. If the smell persists after a proper wash, the padding may have absorbed odor beyond what washing can remove, and replacement is the more realistic fix.

Is it safe to wash a bed that a sick pet has been using?

Yes, and it’s worth doing — wash on the warmest setting the fabric allows and dry thoroughly. If your pet has a diagnosed contagious condition, ask your vet about any specific disinfecting steps.

How do I know if my pet’s bed needs replacing instead of washing?

Flattened or lumped padding, torn seams, or a smell that persists after washing are all signs a bed has reached the end of its useful life. Our pet bed buying guide can help you choose a replacement.

Related Articles

• How to Choose the Right Pet Bed for Your Dog or Cat: A Buying Guide
• Is Your Dog or Cat Cold Indoors? Signs Your Pet Needs Extra Warmth This Fall
• At-Home Pet Grooming: The Tools You Actually Need

If washing has finally revealed it’s time for something new, browse PawNest’s beds & furniture collection for washable-cover options.