What’s the Best Way to Wash a Smelly Dog Bed?
To clean a dog bed, shake off loose hair and vacuum it first, then unzip and machine wash the cover on a warm, gentle cycle with a mild, fragrance free detergent. Air dry it fully before reassembling. Spot clean stains as they happen, and run a quick weekly refresh to keep smells from building up.
A dog bed soaks up hair, dust, drool, and the general smell of daily life faster than almost anything else in your home. Left alone, it turns into the reason a room never quite smells clean. The fix is a simple routine that mixes quick weekly upkeep with the occasional deep clean.
This guide walks through both, step by step, so your dog gets a fresh bed without you spending a whole afternoon on it. A clean bed is also a bed your dog keeps using, which is half the reason we favour models with a removable cover in our roundup of the best dog beds.
Start with a good shake and vacuum
Before any washing, get rid of the loose stuff. Take the bed outside and give it a firm shake to knock off hair, crumbs, and dried mud. Then vacuum both sides, paying attention to seams and piping where hair loves to hide.
A rubber grooming glove or a slightly damp rubber squeegee drags out stubborn embedded hair that a vacuum misses. Doing this first stops all that hair from turning into a matted mess in your washing machine.
Wash the cover the right way
Most modern beds have a removable cover, which makes life easy. Unzip it, check the care label, and wash it on a warm, gentle cycle. Turn the cover inside out to protect the outer fabric and help trapped hair rinse away.
- Use a mild, fragrance free detergent, since strong scents can put sensitive dogs off their bed.
- Skip fabric softener, which can leave a residue and reduce water resistance.
- Wash the cover on its own or with other pet items, not the family laundry.
- Add a rinse cycle if your dog is fussy about smells or leftover detergent.
Deep clean the inner cushion
The inner foam or fill needs attention too, just less often. For a foam insert, spot clean marks with a cloth and a little diluted detergent, press out the moisture, and let it air dry completely before it goes back in a cover. Foam that goes back damp is how beds start to smell.
For a bed with loose fibre fill and no removable cover, check the label. Some can go in the machine whole on a gentle cycle, while others are better hand washed in a bath. Whatever you do, thorough drying is the step people rush and regret.
Handle stains and accidents fast
Fresh messes are far easier than set in ones, so act quickly. Blot up as much liquid as you can with a towel rather than rubbing, which just spreads it deeper into the fill.
- For accidents, an enzyme based pet cleaner breaks down odours that plain detergent leaves behind.
- For mud, let it dry fully, then brush or vacuum it off before it ever touches water.
- For general grime, a quick spot clean between washes keeps the whole bed fresher for longer.
Getting on top of stains early is also easier when the bed suits your dog in the first place, which our guide on how to choose a dog bed can help with.
Dry it fully and keep it fresh
Drying is where a clean bed is won or lost. Damp fill traps odour and can grow mildew, so never rush this step. Air dry the cover and cushion completely, ideally outside in fresh air, before you put the bed back together.
- Sprinkle a little baking soda on the bed between washes, leave it, then vacuum it off to lift odours.
- Keep a spare cover so your dog always has a bed while one is in the wash.
- Wash the cover every one to two weeks, and deep clean the whole bed every month or so.
A tidy routine like this keeps the bed inviting, which matters because a fresh, comfortable bed is one your dog actually wants to use. Our piece on why your dog needs a good bed explains why that daily comfort counts. For more practical help, browse our Pets guides.
Time for an upgrade?
If cleaning is a constant battle, a bed with a proper zip off, washable cover changes everything. See the models we rate highest.
Keep this routine going and the bed stays fresh, your dog keeps choosing it, and your rooms smell better for it. A little upkeep each week saves the big scrub later.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my dog’s bed?
Wash the cover every one to two weeks, and more often if your dog sheds heavily or spends a lot of time outdoors. A deep clean of the whole bed once a month keeps odours from building up.
Can I put a dog bed in the washing machine?
Often yes, but check the label first. Removable covers usually machine wash on a gentle cycle. Whole beds with foam inserts are frequently better spot cleaned and air dried instead.
What detergent is safe for a dog bed?
A mild, fragrance free detergent is the safest bet. Strong scents and fabric softeners can leave residue and put sensitive dogs off their bed, so keep it simple.
How do I get the dog smell out of a bed?
Vacuum first, wash the cover, and sprinkle baking soda on the bed between washes before vacuuming it off. An enzyme cleaner tackles odours from accidents that plain detergent leaves behind.
How do I dry a dog bed quickly?
Press out excess water, then air dry in a warm, breezy spot or outside. Avoid putting thick foam back while damp, since trapped moisture is what causes lingering smells.
Should I use fabric softener on a dog bed?
It is best skipped. Fabric softener can coat the fabric, reduce any water resistance, and irritate sensitive dogs. A simple detergent and a good rinse do the job better.
Olivia Hartley
Olivia spent several years working at an animal shelter and a pet-supply retailer before joining the editorial team. She researches pet gear with an emphasis on safety, comfort and the fine print that owners often miss.