How to Clean a Large Dog Bed

The biggest pups need a comfortable large dog bed to accommodate their size when naptime rolls around. Large dog beds can be cumbersome, however, especially when you need to clean them. Whether you're cleaning off fur and muddy paw prints or deep urine stains, properly cleaning pet beds can keep you and your furry friend happy and healthy.

Cleaning Large Dog Beds:

1. Vacuum the cover: Make sure you get as much pet hair as possible off the dog bed before washing. Pet hair will stick to the wet fabric in the washing machine, so removing it before hand will help you get a cleaner pet bed. Use your vacuum hose and an upholstery attachment. Focus primarily on the sleeping surface, but make sure to remove dust and fur from the entire cover. You can also vacuum the bed between washings to keep it cleaner longer.

2. Remove the cover: Most large dog beds have removable covers to make washing easier. Remove the cover completely. If the pet bed cover is not removable, check the washing instructions and see if you can wash the entire large pet bed in the washing machine.

3. Use stain remover: If the dog bed has any stains, simply washing it may not effectively remove all the stains from the dog bed cover. If there are urine or feces stains, mud or other deep stains, spray the bed with a stain remover before washing. This will help remove any stains left by your pet.

4. Wash the bed: Load the dog bed cover or the entire bed into a front-load washing machine and wash it in hot water to kill any insects and eggs that may be on the bed. Dogs are sensitive to chemicals, so use a mild detergent to prevent irritation. If the foam in your large dog bed cannot be washed in a washing machine, you can hand wash it in a bathtub using hot water and mild detergent. Make sure to thoroughly rinse all detergent from the bed before drying.

5. Dry the bed: You can dry a large pet bed and cover in your dryer if it is large enough. Tumble dry and air fluff the dog bed with a dryer sheet to reduce static. This will help separate any remaining pet fur from the bed. You can also let dog beds and removable covers air dry. Make sure to hang the pet supplies in a well-ventilated area to dry to prevent mildew and mold from growing.