How to Keep Your Dog’s Bed Clean & Fresh

by Sasha Gorincu

There’s nothing better than the feeling of clean sheets, right? But how often should dog beds be washed? Let's look at how to keep your dog’s bed clean and fresh for them to enjoy.

Just like us, our pups will love having an inviting place to rest after a hard day’s walkies. But learning how to deep clean a dog bed is also important for your canine’s overall health.

Clean Bed = Healthy Dog

Despite what some of our pooches might have us believe with their mud wallowing habits…our dogs do naturally try to keep themselves clean.

They do this by licking themselves thoroughly, and also by circling and digging in their sleeping areas - a behaviour often called ‘clearing the ground’. This behaviour is still seen by wolves (and my Great Dane Pickle), keeping their sleeping areas free of parasites, small animals and uncomfortable vegetation.

Of course, in our modern homes, our pups are often bathed after particularly muddy walks, and have beds free of prickly twigs! However their dog beds, if not washed regularly and properly, can become a danger all the same.

Dr Kelly Reynolds, Associate Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Arizona found that dog beds are one of the top 10 dirtiest places in any home. If left unwashed, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi - including MRSA, salmonella, E. coli, ringworm and listeria.

On top of that, pollen, de-icing treatments on pavements and other environmental aggravators can be left on your dog’s bed, aggravating allergies and skin conditions that may be present for both. And let’s not forget that pet bedding can be the perfect breeding ground for ticks, mites and fleas too.

That’s why a regular and thorough dog bed cleaning schedule is incredibly important. Not just to keep your house hygienic, but for a healthy, happy pooch too.

How Often Should Dog Beds Be Washed?

How often you should clean your dog's bed can sometimes depend on your dog’s lifestyle. As a general rule of thumb, cleaning your dog’s bed every 1-2 weeks will help keep harmful bacteria and bugs at bay.

However, if they are an outback adventure pup, as opposed to a city stroller, you might need to adjust this to suit their needs.

It’s also important to know that not all beds are created equal…

The Best Dog Bed to Keep Clean

Keeping a clean and tidy home is so much easier when you have materials that work with you, not against you. And it’s the same for your dog bed.

I designed the Arctic Mist range to be some of the cleanest dog beds available. Because I know how refreshing it is to have canine accessories that stay fresh and clean for longer.

All our luxury dog beds are handmade in Australia using durable, quality fabrics. Our supportive inserts are non-allergenic, odour free, and Australian made. The outer covers are made from super-special upholstery materials like velvet, faux fur and canvas.

Velvet and faux fur have a pile (much like a rug), and canvas is a tightly woven fabric, which makes it unbelievably easy to remove pet hair, as it cannot get trapped like other traditional woven fabrics. This also means digging is not an issue as threads cannot be easily pulled. Arctic Mist beds can simply be shaken and plumped for a quick refresh.

Our bed covers are not only luxurious, stylish and practical, but they are also removable and machine washable to make cleaning a breeze.

Dog Bed Deep Clean Guide

When it comes to wash day, you’ll be happy to know that the Arctic Mist range makes washing a breeze.

Step 1: Remove The Cover And Cold Wash

Start by removing the insert from the bed cover, and give it a shake outdoors to remove any hair or dust. This saves your washing machine having to work harder than it needs to, and now the bed cover is ready to wash.

All our bed covers & cushion covers can be hand washed or machine washed on a cold gentle cycle. Choose the kind of cycle you would use for your delicates or your fine knitwear. We’d recommend using a pet-safe laundry detergent and avoiding fabric softener or any other products that could irritate your pet.

As a top tip - we recommend washing them separately from your regular washing to ensure a full deep clean, with the zippers closed to avoid any damage to your machine.

Step 2: Dry In A Shady Spot

Once finished washing, you’ll need to find a shady spot to line dry your bed cover. This helps protect the design from fading in harsh sunlight. Do not tumble dry - not only can it damage your unique design, but it’s much less eco-friendly than letting a light breeze do the work for you.

If you'd like to iron your bed cover, wait until it’s fully dry then turn it inside out and iron the reverse side using a cool setting.

Step 3: Vacuum The Insert

To clean the supportive insert, simply vacuum thoroughly to remove surface dust and pet hair. If there’s any staining or odour, you can spot clean with water and mild detergent, and lie flat in a warm ventilated place to dry.

Do not dry clean, machine wash, tumble dry or bleach bed inserts - your dog will thank you!

Keeping A Dog Bed Fresh Between Washes

To keep your dog’s bed clean and fresh between washes, here are some tips and tricks that can make that wash last longer:

Make it a habit to vacuum your dog’s bed when you vacuum your floors.
Remove the bed insert when you do, give it a plump and allow it to air for a little while.
Bathe and groom your dog regularly to reduce any excess dirt coming into contact with the bed.
Wipe paws with natural wipes or a damp towel when you’ve been out in the rain or mud.
Spot clean stains using warm water and a mild, pet-safe detergent.

Natural Dog Bed Deodoriser

Another way to keep your dog’s bed fresh between washes is to use a natural and fragrant mix of baking soda and essential oils.

Simply mix a few drops into a bowlful of baking soda, and sprinkle over your dog’s bed lightly. Leave this for a few hours, before hoovering up, and you’ll have a fresh-smelling bed.

Of course, make sure your dog isn’t around to sniff up the mixture, so perhaps attempt this when they are out on a walk or happy snoozing elsewhere.

It’s also important to note that not all essential oils are safe for dogs. Some are toxic in fact, so stick to this list of safe scents from Outward Hound:

Myrrh
Frankincense
Chamomile
Lavender oil
Ginger
Rosemary

Now You Know How to Keep Your Dog’s Bed Clean and Fresh…

Is there anything you’ll be adding to your weekly routine? Personally, I find a plump and a shake goes a long way to making sure my girl Pickle has a comfy, fresh bed every day.

If you are looking for a luxury dog bed, handmade in Australia, that’s perfectly easy to keep fresh - don’t hesitate to browse our full range.