How Often Should You Wash Your Dog's Bed?

For most households, washing your dog's bed cover and blankets every week or two, with a quick shake out and vacuum in between, keeps it fresh. Wash sooner if it is muddy, wet, smells or your dog has been unwell, and follow your vet's advice if your dog has fleas. Always check the care label, as the right temperature depends on the bed.

There is no single official rule on how often to wash a dog bed, so the routine below is a practical starting point you can adjust to your dog and your home. For more on beds and the home, see our complete dog beds and home guide.

What affects how often you should wash it

Every dog is different, and a few things will push you towards washing more often:

• Coat and shedding. Heavy shedders fill a bed with hair quickly.
• Walks and weather. Muddy autumn and winter walks mean more dirt brought indoors.
• Swimming and wet coats. A damp dog on a bed leaves it smelling musty if it does not dry out.
• Skin and allergies. If your dog has a skin condition, your vet may suggest a particular cleaning routine.
• Accidents. Puppies and older dogs may have the occasional accident, which needs washing straight away.
• Light colours. Cream and ivory fabrics show marks sooner. Our guide on how to keep a cream dog bed clean covers this in detail.

A simple cleaning routine

How often	What to do
Daily or every few days	Shake out loose hair and grit, ideally outdoors. Spot clean any marks.
Weekly	Vacuum the bed, including seams and corners, and the floor around it. Wash any blankets your dog sleeps on.
Every one to two weeks	Wash the removable cover or cushion, following the care label.
Straight away	After accidents, illness, a very muddy or wet dog, or a strong smell.

If your dog has a light coat and spends most of the day on the sofa, you may find monthly washing is plenty. If you have a muddy spaniel and a cream bed, weekly will feel more realistic. The aim is a bed that looks, feels and smells clean.

How to wash a dog bed

1. Check the label. The care label tells you whether the cover, the cushion or both can go in the machine, and at what temperature.
2. Remove hair first. Vacuum or shake the bed thoroughly. A rubber glove run over the fabric lifts stubborn hair. This also protects your washing machine.
3. Pre-treat marks. Dab stains with a mild, gentle detergent before washing.
4. Wash on the recommended setting. Use a gentle, non-biological or pet-safe detergent and avoid strongly scented fabric conditioners, which some dogs dislike.
5. Rinse well. An extra rinse helps remove detergent residue.
6. Dry completely. Dry flat or line dry, following the label. Make sure the cushion is fully dry inside before your dog uses it again, as damp filling can smell.

A practical tip: keep a washable blanket in the bed. It takes the brunt of daily hair and mud and can go in with a normal wash, so the main bed needs washing less often.

What about fleas?

If your dog has fleas, washing the bed is part of the answer, but not all of it. Blue Cross explains that most fleas live in carpets and soft furnishings rather than on the pet, and advises washing pet bedding on at least a 60 degree wash and vacuuming your home thoroughly. The British Pest Control Association also recommends frequent vacuuming of the areas your pet uses.

Not every bed can be washed that hot, so check the care label. If your dog's bed cannot go at a high temperature, ask your vet for advice on treating your dog and your home, and wash any blankets that can take a hotter cycle. Always use a flea treatment recommended by your vet.

Choosing a bed that is easy to keep clean

When you buy a bed, it is worth looking at how easy it will be to wash. A removable cushion or cover, a fabric that hides everyday marks, and a size that fits your washing machine all make the routine easier.

The Richmond Bed has a deep-filled removable cushion and is machine washable at 30°C, and its forest green check is forgiving of everyday wear. The Savanna Bed has a removable cushion and is washable at 30°C too. For a raised option, the Chelsea Sofa Bed has a removable cushion and a water-resistant lining. Our guide on how to choose a luxury dog bed has more on fabrics and fillings.

When to replace rather than wash

Even a well-cared-for bed will eventually need replacing. Signs include a cushion that has gone flat or lumpy after washing, a smell that returns soon after cleaning, seams that are coming apart, or chewed areas where filling could be swallowed. Older dogs in particular benefit from a bed that still offers proper support; see our guide to choosing a bed for an older dog. And where you place the bed affects how quickly it gets dirty, so our guide on where to put a dog bed is worth a read too.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I wash my dog's bed?

Every week or two suits most households, with a shake out and vacuum in between. Wash sooner after mud, accidents, illness or if it smells.

What temperature should I wash a dog bed at?

Follow the care label. Our Richmond and Savanna beds are washable at 30°C. If you are dealing with fleas, ask your vet about treating your dog and home, and wash anything that can take a hotter cycle accordingly.

Can I put a dog bed in the washing machine?

Many covers and cushions can go in the machine, but check the label first and remove as much hair as you can before washing.

How do I stop my dog's bed smelling?

Wash it regularly, dry it completely before use, vacuum weekly and keep a washable blanket on top to take the daily wear.