Your dog’s bed looks cleaner after a wash. Your washing machine? There’s a strip of damp fur around the door seal, a few clumps inside the drum, and another load waiting to go in.
It’s a familiar problem in homes with dogs, especially when shedding season arrives.
The most useful change happens before you start the machine: remove as much loose hair as possible while the dog bed is still dry. Then wash it according to its care label, give it enough room to move, and check the empty washer afterward.
You may still find a few stray hairs. But a little preparation can reduce what ends up in the machine and make the cleanup much easier.
Here’s how to wash a dog bed without turning your next laundry load into another round of fur removal.
Why Does Washing a Dog Bed Leave Hair Behind?
Dog beds collect loose fur in seams, corners, textured covers, and the spaces around bolsters. Some of that hair stays tangled in the fabric during washing. Other strands loosen and move through the machine.
A wash cycle may carry some away, but hair can also collect around the door seal or remain on damp surfaces.
Bulky bedding adds another challenge. When a bed is packed tightly into the drum, there’s less room for movement and rinsing. Adding more detergent won’t fix that.
The best approach combines three habits: remove loose fur first, wash a manageable load, and give the washer a quick check before using it again.
1. Check Whether the Whole Dog Bed Is Washable
Before putting anything in the machine, read the dog bed’s care label.
A removable cover may be machine washable even when the cushion inside is not. Foam inserts, filled bolsters, waterproof layers, and backing materials can have different care requirements.
Check:
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Whether the cover and insert need separate cleaning.
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The recommended water temperature and wash cycle.
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Whether tumble drying is allowed.
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Any instructions for zippers, fasteners, or removable parts.
Look for tears, too. A small opening can release filling during the wash.
If the whole bed isn’t approved for machine washing, remove and wash the cover as directed. Clean the insert using the manufacturer’s recommended method.
2. Remove Loose Dog Hair While the Bed Is Dry
This is the step worth spending an extra few minutes on.
Start by taking the bed outside and gently shaking off loose fur and dirt. Then vacuum the surface with an upholstery attachment, paying attention to seams, corners, and the underside.
For hair that stays behind, use a fabric-compatible pet hair brush or lint roller. Work across the surface in sections rather than making one quick pass.
You don’t need to collect every strand. The aim is to remove the loose layer that would otherwise go straight into your washer.
If the bed has a removable cover, vacuum it before taking it off. Then check the inside of the cover and the cushion underneath for trapped fur.
3. Wash Dog Bedding Separately From Everyday Clothes
It can be tempting to add a few shirts or towels to fill the drum. With a hairy dog bed, that gives loose fur more fabric to cling to.
Wash dog bedding separately from your everyday clothing. Keep the load within your washer’s capacity guidance, especially when washing thick covers or washable cushions.
A bed that fits through the door may still be too bulky for the machine once wet.
If it has to be pushed firmly into place, check the washer manual before continuing. A larger-capacity machine may be a better option, provided the bedding’s care instructions allow machine washing.
For related advice, read why pet hair sticks to clothes after washing.
4. Use the Right Detergent Amount and Wash Settings
Use a laundry detergent suitable for the bedding and your washing machine. Measure it according to the detergent label, load size, and soil level.
A strong dog smell can make an extra pour feel sensible, but excess detergent can be harder to rinse away.
Choose the water temperature and cycle listed on the dog bed’s care label. Hotter water isn’t automatically the right choice for every cover, filling, or backing.
An additional rinse may help when permitted by the care instructions, particularly if detergent remains after washing. It won’t replace removing loose hair beforehand.
Keep washer-cleaning tablets separate from this step. They are for an empty-machine cleaning cycle, not for washing the dog bed.
5. Dry the Bed Completely Before Putting It Back Together
Once the wash finishes, remove the bedding promptly and check it for remaining fur.
If tumble drying is allowed, follow the stated temperature setting and clean the dryer’s lint screen before and after the load. If the label calls for air drying, spread out the bedding so air can reach it.
Thick seams and padded sections may stay damp longer than the surface.
Let every washable part dry fully before putting the bed back together. Returning a dry cover to a damp cushion can leave you dealing with another unpleasant smell soon afterward.
Between washes, regular vacuuming can help keep loose hair from building up again.
6. Check the Washer Before Starting Your Next Load
With the dog bed out, take a minute to inspect the empty machine.
Look inside the drum and around accessible door-seal folds. Use a soft cloth to collect visible hair and loose debris, following your washer’s cleaning instructions.
For front-load machines, check the lower section of the seal carefully. For top-load machines, inspect accessible areas around the drum opening.
If your washer has a user-serviceable filter, maintain it according to the manual. Follow any instructions for switching off the machine and draining retained water before opening it.
For a more detailed cleanup routine, see how to get rid of dog hair in your washing machine.
Where True Fresh Fits Into Your Dog-Bed Washing Routine
Removing fur handles the visible mess. Regular washer cleaning addresses the residue left by repeated laundry loads.
True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners helps loosen washer buildup from pet bedding, blankets, and towels. It also helps refresh the machine.
During a separate cleaning cycle, the tablet dissolves in water, allowing the cleaning solution to contact surfaces reached by the cycle. It helps loosen residue where hair and lint may collect.
Use one tablet in an empty washer according to the package directions and your machine’s instructions. Remove visible fur first, then check accessible areas after the cycle.
True Fresh is suitable for front-load, top-load, and HE washing machines, subject to the machine’s care guidance. Use once or twice a month as needed, following the label.
The tablet does not dissolve dog hair or replace filter care. It adds a convenient residue-cleaning step to the routine. true-fresh.com
Common Mistakes That Make Dog-Bed Laundry Harder
A few small habits can create more cleanup than necessary:
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Skipping dry hair removal: More loose fur enters the washer.
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Overloading the drum: Bulky bedding has less space to move and rinse.
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Adding extra detergent: More product can mean more rinsing.
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Washing the insert without checking: The cover and filling may need different care.
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Starting another load immediately: Leftover fur may transfer to the next fabrics.
An easy routine is to keep the vacuum, hair-removal tool, and a washer cloth nearby on dog-bed laundry day. That makes preparation and cleanup feel like part of the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a dog bed covered in hair straight into the washer?
Remove loose hair first. Shake and vacuum the dry bed, then use a suitable hair-removal tool on stubborn areas. Always check that the bedding is machine washable.
What temperature should I wash a dog bed at?
Follow the dog bed’s care label. Different fabrics, fillings, and backing materials tolerate different temperatures. Don’t assume every dog bed can handle a hot wash.
Will washing machine cleaner tablets remove dog hair?
Don’t rely on tablets to remove hair clumps or dissolve fur. Physically remove visible hair and maintain accessible filters as directed. Use washer cleaner separately to help address residue buildup.
Do I need to clean my washer after every dog-bed wash?
Check for visible fur after each load and remove what you find. Follow a separate schedule for washer-cleaning cycles based on the cleaner label, machine manual, and how frequently you wash pet bedding.
Make Dog-Bed Laundry Easier on Your Washer
A cleaner dog bed shouldn’t leave you wondering what’s waiting for your next load.
Start with dry hair removal, wash only the parts approved for machine washing, and leave enough room in the drum. Afterward, collect visible fur before moving on.
For the regular washer-care step, shop True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners. Pair it with those simple habits to help manage leftover buildup and keep your washer refreshed for laundry day.
