How (often) should I wash my dog bed?
Have you bought a cosy dog bed or cushion for your dog? Great, but how and how often should you actually wash it? And how do you go about it? If you take care of the dog bed properly, you and your pet pal will be able to enjoy it for much longer. We’ll be happy to help you out with some tips.
How often should you wash a dog bed?
How often should you actually wash a dog cushion or bed? Well, it's probably more often than you think. It's best to thoroughly clean your four legged friend’s sleeping place once every 2 weeks. After all, a dog bed can be a breeding ground for bacteria and bad odours. Although it also depends on how often your dog goes outside, what season it is (autumn and winter are typical for muddy paws), how much hair your furry friend loses and whether you suffer from allergies.
How to wash a dog bed?
To remove loose hair, you can vacuum the sleeping area every few days. You can also remove loose hair with a rubber glove or a clothes roller.
Hand wash the dog bed every 2 weeks in lukewarm water. This is better for the environment than a machine wash and it’s also better for your dog's bed or cushion. Preferably use a mild detergent without perfume and avoid fabric softeners. That way, your dog can still recognise his own scent in his cushion, while it smells nice and fresh to you. Then leave to dry.
For dog cushions and dog beds whose cover is removable with a zip, you can often wash the cover at 30°C in the washing machine. Always check the washing instructions. Again, use a mild detergent without fabric softener.
Did you accidentally use fabric softener or a strong detergent? Then rinse the cushion thoroughly after washing. This is important because some dogs can react sensitively to certain fabric softeners and detergents.
Can you put your dog bed in the washing machine or tumble dryer?
Always check the washing instructions of your dog bed or cushion carefully. Most dog cushions aren’t suitable for the washing machine or tumble dryer. That would be a real waste of your beautiful dog bed. The cover can often be machine-washed at a low temperature. Let your dog cushion or bed air-dry, but avoid direct sunlight to avoid discolouration.
Low-maintenance dog cushions and beds
You need to clean your dog bed regularly, but how do you know if a dog bed is easy to clean? What should you pay attention to? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Check whether the dog cushion or dog bed has a cover that you can take off with a zip.
- Always read the washing instructions. Is the cover dishwasher safe? If so, this is a great advantage.
- Go for a water- and/or dirt-resistant dog bed.
- Puppy not housetrained yet? Then you may want to put some puppy pads in a zipped dog cushion or bed to ensure your cushion stays clean longer. And/or opt for a water-repellent bed or cushion.
Are you looking for an easy-care cushion from our range? Then Dreambay and Lotta are the right choice for your faithful friend!
In a nutshell
It’s best to vacuum your dog bed every few days. A more thorough cleaning is recommended every 2 weeks.
Hand wash the dog bed every 2 weeks in lukewarm water. This is better for the environment than a machine wash and it’s also better for your dog's bed or cushion. Preferably use a mild detergent without perfume and avoid fabric softener. Then leave to dry.
Some dog cushions have a removable cover. Read the washing instructions carefully to find out whether the cover can be machine-washed. The cushion itself is always best washed by hand.
Most dog cushions aren’t suitable for the drying machine. Preferably let your dog basket air dry.
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