If your dog’s bed has started smelling a bit dogish, you’re not imagining it. Pet bedding traps saliva and dirt from your dog’s coat every single day
If your dog’s bed has started smelling a bit dogish, you’re not imagining it. Pet bedding traps dander, saliva, dirt, and oils from your dog’s coat every single day, and most owners wash it far less often than they should. The good news is a lot of this is genuinely fixable at home. Here’s exactly how to clean dog bedding at home properly, plus where DIY washing hits its limit.
Why Dog Beds Get Dirty Faster Than You'd Think
A dog bed isn’t just fabric, it’s usually foam, stuffing, or padding underneath, and that inner layer soaks up moisture, oils and odour every time your dog lies down. Add outdoor dirt, shedding, and the occasional accident, and you’ve got a surface that builds up bacteria and allergens far quicker than a blanket or cushion would.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning Dog Bedding at Home
- Check the care label. Many beds have a removable, machine-washable outer cover, always start there rather than washing the whole bed as one piece.
- Shake or vacuum off loose hair and dirt first. This stops your washing machine filter clogging and helps the wash actually clean rather than just push dirt around.
- Pre-treat any stains or accident spots. A mix of white vinegar and water, left to sit for 10–15 minutes before washing, helps break down odour causing bacteria.
- Wash on the hottest setting the fabric allows. Heat is what actually kills dust mites and bacteria, mild detergent alone won’t do it.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle instead of fabric softener. Softener can leave a residue that traps odour rather than removing it.
- Dry completely, ideally outdoors in direct sun. Sunlight has a natural disinfecting effect, and any leftover dampness inside stuffing or foam will start smelling within days, so don’t rush this step.
- Wash removable covers every 1–2 weeks, and give the full bed a deeper clean once a month if your dog spends a lot of time on it.
Where DIY Washing Falls Short
This routine works well for lightweight, fully machine-washable beds. But a few things trip owners up:
- Foam-filled and orthopaedic beds often can’t go in a washing machine at all — the foam absorbs water, takes days to dry, and can break down or grow mould if it doesn’t dry fully through the middle.
- Non-removable covers mean you’re stuck hand scrubbing the surface, which rarely reaches ground-in dander or oils in the padding underneath.
- A bed can come out of the wash looking clean and still smell within a week, because home washing machines often can’t fully rinse out oils and dander trapped deep in thick padding.
- Allergy sufferers in the house need a much more thorough clean than a home wash provides, dust mite allergens in particular need sustained heat and proper extraction to actually clear out, not just a rinse.
When to Book a Professional Clean Instead
If your dog’s bed is foam filled, has a non-removable cover, is still smelling after a wash, or hasn’t been deep cleaned in months, it’s worth having it professionally collected and cleaned rather than repeating a home wash that isn’t fully working.
This is where Dexbury’s pet cleanup service comes in. We collect your dog’s bedding directly from your home, deep clean and sanitise it professionally, reaching the padding and stuffing that a home washing machine can’t, and deliver it back fresh. No wrestling an oversized bed into your machine, no guessing whether it’s actually sanitised or just rinsed, and no risk of mould from a bed that didn’t dry through properly.
We also handle the mess dogs leave around the house, not just the bed itself, carpet, sofa, and floor cleaning for pet owners across London.
Dexbury pet cleanup service includes:
- Collection and delivery of dog bedding
- Deep cleaning and sanitising, including foam filled and non removable cover beds
- Pet safe, fragrance free products
- Carpet and upholstery cleaning for pet hair, dander and accidents around the home
How often should I wash my dog's bedding?
Ideally every 1–2 weeks for the cover, with a deeper clean of the full bed once a month. Dander, saliva and outdoor dirt build up faster than most owners expect, so waiting until it visibly looks dirty usually means it’s already been due for a wash for a while.
Can I put my dog's bed in the washing machine?
It depends on the bed. Removable, machine washable covers are usually fine on a hot wash. But foam filled or orthopaedic beds often shouldn’t go in a home machine at all, they absorb water, take days to dry fully, and can develop mould in the middle if they don’t dry all the way through.
Why does my dog's bed still smell after washing?
Usually because the odour is trapped deeper than a home wash can reach, in the padding or foam, not just the surface fabric. A wash can leave a bed looking clean while dander and oils are still sitting inside it, which is why the smell tends to come back within a week or so.
