How to Clean a Dog Bed (Including the Stuffing)

Most dog beds with a removable cover can go straight in the machine on a 40C cycle, but the stuffing and non-removable beds need a different approach. Below is the order I work through every fortnight, plus how to tackle the smell that soap alone never seems to shift.

Before you start: check the care label

It sounds obvious, but the label decides everything. Look for two things: the maximum wash temperature and whether the inner foam or filling is machine-washable. Memory foam almost never is, while polyester-fibre stuffing usually is.

If the bed has a zip-off cover, you're in luck. If it's a single sealed unit, skip to the hand-washing section further down. This is also the moment to think about replacements honestly: if the bed is matted, flat or splitting at the seams, no wash will save it, and a washable dog beds range built for repeat laundering is a better long-term buy than fighting a bed that was never designed to be cleaned.

Step 1: De-fur before anything gets wet

Water turns loose hair into a felted mat that clogs your machine filter. So do the dry work first:

• Vacuum both sides of the cover with the upholstery tool
• Run a rubber glove or pet-hair brush over stubborn patches
• Shake the bed outside if the weather allows

This single step makes the biggest difference to how clean the bed actually comes out.

Step 2: Pre-treat stains and the smelly bits

For urine, vomit or muddy-paw marks, dab the area with a biological detergent paste or an enzyme cleaner and leave it ten minutes. Enzymes break down the proteins that cause the smell rather than just masking it, which is why ordinary fabric softener never quite works on a dog bed.

Step 3: Wash the cover

Machine-wash the cover on its own, not crammed in with the school uniform. Use:

• A 40C cycle for everyday freshening (60C if your vet has flagged fleas or a skin issue and the label allows it)
• A non-bio detergent if your dog has sensitive skin
• A second rinse to get all the detergent out, as residue irritates paws and bellies

Skip the fabric softener. It coats the fibres and reduces how well the cover absorbs and releases moisture next time.

Step 4: Clean the stuffing

This is the part people skip, and it's why the smell comes back. You have three options depending on the filling:

• Loose polyester fibre: put it in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase, knot the top, and machine-wash on a gentle 30C cycle. Dry it fully before re-stuffing.
• Foam blocks or memory foam: never machine-wash. Sponge with warm soapy water, rinse with a damp cloth, and press out excess moisture with towels. Air-dry completely, as trapped damp foam grows mould within days.
• A whole sealed bed: fill the bath with warm water and detergent, submerge and squeeze repeatedly, drain, then rinse until the water runs clear.

Step 5: Dry it properly

Damp stuffing is the number one cause of that returning odour. Tumble-dry covers on low only if the label allows, and air-dry foam and thick fillings outdoors or in a warm, ventilated room. Don't let your dog back on the bed until it's bone dry in the middle, not just on the surface.

How often, and a smell shortcut

Wash the cover weekly to fortnightly and deep-clean the stuffing every couple of months. Between washes, a light sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda left for 20 minutes then vacuumed off neutralises everyday smell surprisingly well.

If you find you're cleaning constantly, the bed may simply be past it. Our guide on How Often Should You Replace a Dog Bed? covers the warning signs, and for households with a determined chewer, Best Dog Beds for Chewers: Tough, Durable Options That Last points you toward beds that survive both teeth and the washing machine. For more on whether easy-clean designs earn their keep, see Are Washable Dog Beds Worth It? Pros, Cons and What to Look For.

You'll find the full range of beds and bedding in our Dog Supplies hub and over in the dogs shop.