The guide below compliments our main guide on how to clean and wash a dog.
In the guide below, we discuss guidelines on washing and cleaning a dog bed with pet stains on it.
Pet stains can especially happen if you have a puppy or an older dog with health issues, or bladder or bowel problems.
There’s a few ways you wash pet stains, such as using laundry powders, pet stain remover sprays and even dish soaps.
Let’s check them out in deeper detail!
(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)
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How To Clean/Wash A Dog Bed With Pee/Urine, Poop, Vomit, Dirt & Other Pet Stains On It
The cleaning products we mention in this guide are:
Natural Laundry Detergent
- Nellie’s All Nautral Laundry Soda (on Amazon)
- Molly’s Suds Natural Laundry Powder (on Amazon)
- Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent (on Amazon)
Pet Stain Remover
A popular pet stain remover spray is:
Some people choose to use a natural pet stain remover like:
- Puracy Free & Clear Natural Pet Stain Remover (on Chewy)
- Puracy Natural Stain Remover (on Amazon) – it is plant based so it has natural ingredients.
Natural Dish Soap
1. Follow the dog bed manufacturer cleaning instructions or directions
You can find these instructions either:
In the dog bed package/box
On the bed label
On the bed manufacturer’s website
They will tell you the best way to care for, maintain, clean and wash the bed so that you don’t damage it, or void the warranty (if there is one)
2. Vacuum The Bed, and Scrape Off Any Solids
Vacuuming the bed will get rid of any hairs and dirt.
You can then get a non-sharp metal scraper and scrape off any dried solids on the surface of the bed cover.
3. Is the dog bed fully machine washable? If so, put it in the washing machine
Some beds are fully machine washable.
If yours is, put it in the washing machine.
What type of laundry detergent/powder you decide to wash them with is up to you and it’s probably best to ask your vet.
Some people who have dogs with sensitive skin or allergies sometimes choose to use a natural laundry detergent like the following to minimise the risk of irritation:
- Nellie’s All Natural Laundry Soda (on Amazon)
- Molly’s Suds Natural Laundry Powder (on Amazon)
- Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent (on Amazon)
4. Wash any external dog bed covers
Most good orthopedic or memory foam dog beds come with an external dog bed cover that you can unzip from the bed and put in the washing machine.
A few examples of some of the best dog beds that come with water resistant or waterproof covers are:
- PetFusion Ultimate Lounge Orthopedic Bolster Cat & Dog Bed w/Removable Cover (on Chewy) (Larger Sizes), or PetFusion Ultimate Lounge Orthopedic Bolster Cat & Dog Bed w/Removable Cover (on Chewy) (Smaller Sizes)
- PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed With Memory Foam (on Amazon) (Bed with bolster edges. Several sizes available, but, available as big as a XXL size bed, with inner dimensions of 42 inches long by 33 inches wide, and a 6 inch memory foam base. Designed for dogs up to 200lbs. Has a water resistant removable and washable cover, and a waterproof inner liner to protect memory foam)
- Big Barker Headrest Edition Orthopedic Pillow Dog Bed (on Chewy)
- Big Barker 7 Inch Orthopedic Dog Bed (on Amazon) – (7 Inch thick American made therapeutic foam dog bed. Available in up to the largest Giant size, which is a 60 inch long x 48 inch wide sized bed. For large and Giant sized dogs.)
- Dogbed4less Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed (on Amazon) (Flat bed. Available in up to a Jumbo size, for dogs that will fit on a 55 inches long, by 47 inches wide bed. Has a 4 inch thick memory foam base)
Most normal dog beds also come with an external removable cover.
Washing them should help you dissolve any stains on the dog bed external cover.
5. Use and wash any waterproof dog bed covers or liners
A fantastic way to protect the memory foam or other internal filling or mattress core from stains and odors is with a waterproof liner or cover.
You can get a waterproof cover for any dog bed like the 100% Waterproof Mambe Pet Cover (on Amazon), which can also be placed over furniture or your own bed while your dog is on it to protect against accidents and mess.
This cover is soft and washable, but it’s quite large.
Another option is to get a waterproof internal liner for your dog’s bed like the:
- Big Barker Headrest Edition Waterproof Dog Bed Liner (on Chewy)
- Big Barker Waterproof Liner – Flat (on Amazon)
… this is sold as a liner for the:
- Big Barker Headrest Edition Orthopedic Pillow Dog Bed (on Chewy)
- Big Barker 7 Inch Orthopedic Dog Bed (on Amazon) – (7 Inch thick American made therapeutic foam dog bed. Available in up to the largest Giant size, which is a 60 inch long x 48 inch wide sized bed. For large and Giant sized dogs.)
The liner goes just under the external cover, won’t make noise when your dog moves on it, and is extremely good at catching and completely resisting urine and other liquids.
You can put the internal liner in the wash with the external cover at the same time.
6. Use a pet stain remover on the external cover
Examples are:
- Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator Dog for Severe Dog Messes (on Amazon)
- Puracy Free & Clear Natural Pet Stain Remover (on Chewy)
- Puracy Natural Stain Remover (on Amazon) – it is plant based so it has natural ingredients.
A natural pet stain remover can used to remove dirt, blood, urine, feces and other pet stains on the external cover to improve the appearance of the bed – especially if you have it inside.
7. Soak or wash the memory foam/mattress
If you have a memory foam bed, you usually can’t put it in the washing machine.
It’s best to ask the manufacturer specifically how they recommend cleaning or washing their bed foam, however the following might be safe:
Soak the affected area thoroughly with warm water and a natural dish soap.
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Press out or dab out as much moisture as you can with a dry cloth or towel
Do not wring out the foam,
Leave the foam in a dry place with some ventilation
It might take a couple days to completely dry out
You might use a natural dish soap like Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap (on Amazon) which mixes easily with warm water.
Why Dogs Might Pee On Their Bed
You can read more in this guide for potential reasons why dogs might pee on their bed, and how you might be able to prevent it.
Best Washable Dog Beds
You can read this guide where we list the best washable dog beds on the market right now.
Best Dog Beds On The Market Right Now
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