Tips on how to wash a dog bed in a washing machine

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If you’ve ever wondered how to wash a dog bed without ruining it, or how often you should be washing a dog bed, this guide explains everything – and shows how dog beds designed to be fully machine washable makes life much easier.

Washing your dog’s bed properly is about more than just getting rid of doggy smells – it’s about keeping your dog cosy and comfortable in am hygieincally clean environment to promote good health.

At Charley Chau we design to a simple mantra: machine washable everything. As dog lovers with five dogs of our own, we understand that dog beds need to be both gorgeous and genuinely practical when it comes to care. That’s why our core luxe dog beds - including Luxe Dog Bed Mattresses, Donut Beds , Snuggle Beds and Deeply Dishy Dog Beds – are designed from the outset as machine washable dog beds, with removable covers, carefully engineered mattresses and optional Waterproof Bed Liners that make wash day far less stressful.

Whether your dog’s current bed is awkward to wash, marked “hand wash only”, or already turning lumpy, you’ll find clear advice here on how to wash a dog bed properly and when it might be time to switch to a bed that’s built for real‑world washing.

How often should I wash a dog bed?

Why it’s important to wash a dog bed regularly

Washing your dog’s bed properly is about more than just getting rid of doggy smells – it’s about keeping your dog cosy and comfy, but also healthy. The unwelcome odours that come from a dirty dog bed are caused by bacteria thriving in the bed, plus dog beds are a magnet for dust mites which means that dog beds are a hot spot for dust mite eggs and dust mite faeces - the latter is one of the most common household allergens that both humans and dogs can react to.

At Charley Chau we design our luxe dog beds and dog blankets to a simple mantra: machine washable everything. As dog lovers with five dogs of our own, we know that beds need to be both gorgeous and genuinely practical when it comes to care.

This guide walks you through how to wash a dog bed in a washing machine safely, when to wash, and what to do if your current bed simply isn’t designed for easy care. Along the way, we’ll show you how Charley Chau beds make wash day much easier.

A four-panel collage showing a person folding a bright green dog bed into a compact rectangular block ready to wash in a washing machine. The dog bed is demonstrated in multiple configurations against a dark gray background and white floor.

Washability starts with intelligent design - machine washable dog beds that wash well are designed and constructed to wash well. Charley Chau's Deeply Dishy Dog Bed is designed to fit into a home washing machine and washes like a dream.

DEEPLY DISHY DOG BED >

How often should I wash a dog bed?

For a dog's main bed that is in use seven days a week we recommend:

  • Wash outer bed covers and blankets weekly - fortnightly.
  • Vacuum the mattress & inner fillings weekly - fortnightly to remove physical dirt including dust mite eggs and dust mite faeces which may not be visible to the eye
  • Wash internal mattresses and filling pads at least every 12 weeks if they are not protected with waterproof liners.

If the mattress in your dog’s bed does not have removable covers, wash the whole bed every one to two weeks or think about replacing it with a more practical dog bed that is easier to keep hygienically clean - Charley Chau dog beds are machine washable by design with fully removable covers and even mattresses and filling pads constructed to be lump-free even after washing.

#1: Prep before washing a dog bed in a washing machine

Remove as much physical dirt as possible before washing.

Start with a good old shake (best done outdoors). Follow up with with any or a combination of the tips below if needed:

  • Wearing damp rubber glove, 'brush' the outer covers with the glove to remove hair.
  • Buffing with a dry sponge is also great for removing dog hair.
  • Lint brush / sticky roller.
  • Vacuum the covers and mattress.

Remove the bed covers from the mattress / filling pads.

  • Do not overload the machine - split into separate washes if necessary.
  • If your dog's mattress does not fit in a domestic washing machine, launderettes have large capacity washing machines.

If your dog's bed does not have removable covers, it's time to invest in a dog bed with removable covers to ensure your can keep it hygieincally clean for your dog.

Use a pet hair laundry bag if necessary

For dogs with hair that is difficult to remove from a bed, laundry sacks can really help prevent blockages in your washing machine - always use an XL size to allow the dog bed covers / internal mattress/pads to move while being washed.

A person unzipping the outer bed cover of an orange machine washable dog bed mattress.

Always remove the bed covers from a dog bed before washing. The deep-filled mattresses in all Charley Chau dog beds have easy to remove, fully washable outer covers.

DAY BED MATTRESS IN FAROE >
#2: Check & understand the wash care symbols

Always check the manufacturer's recommended wash care guidance before washing a dog bed.

All washable dog beds should have wash care labels stitched into the different components of the bed. Pay attention to the details on each of the care symbols:

  • Temperature indicated in the wash tub.
  • Wash cycle is usually indicated by lines or bars under the wash tub - no lines is a cotton wash, one line is a synthetics wash, two lines means a delicates wash.
  • Spin speeds - again indicated by the lines under the wash tub - slower spin speeds for less agressive washing.
  • Avoid quick wash cycles - they wash with high agitation and are not good for preserving fabrics.

You may find our Nerds Guide to Wash Care Symbols helpful.

Three wash cycle tips for long-term preservation:

  • Lower temperatures.
  • Less aggressive wash cycles.
  • Lower spin speeds.

Less is definitely more when it comes to prserving and prolonging the life of almost all textiles, whether on a dog bed or on your own clothes or soft-furnishings. Always err on the cautious side when washing any item for the first time as different washing machines and was cycles can deliver very different results.

A grid of white laundry care symbols on a black background, including icons for washing, ironing, drying, and care instructions.

All Charley Chau dog beds have a care label stitched into every single component of the bed with the relavant care guidance. Always check the label before washing and follow the recommendations. Read our Nerds Guide to Washcare Symbols >

#3: Laundy detergents & additives for washing a dog bed

What kind of laundry detergent is best for washing a dog bed?

We recommend non-biological laundry detergents for regular dog bed washing. Modern detergents are very effective at removing dirt and bacteria even at low temperatures.

Only use biological (enzyme based) detergent if a bed is excessively dirty with organic matter. Bio detergents are a common source of allergens so best avoided when possible.

Add laundry sanitiser to kill bacteria & remove strong odours

If your dog's bed is particularly stinky, a laundry sanitiser eliminates strong smells by killing the bactieria causing the stink.

Dettol has a dermatologically tested laundry sanitiser for sensistive skin that kills 99.9% of bacteria even at cool temperatures. Napisan does a similar job.

Never add fabric softeners when washing dog beds or dog blankets.

Fabric softeners coat the yarns in a fabric with a thin waxy layer which builds up over time, reducing breathability of the textile, and making it harder to properly clean fabrics when washing.

Use an anti-bacterial Pet Bed Refresher in between washes.

Keeping a dog bed clean will always reqiure regular washing but using an Anti-Bacterial Pet Bed Refresher can keep things fresh in between washes.

A small fawn and white dog curled up cosy, sleeping on a machine washable dog blanket made with soft beige faux-fur.

Don't use fabric softener with dog beds or blankets as it coats the textiles in a waxy film and makes proper cleaning harder in the long run. To add extra softness and comfort to a dog bed, choose a good quality dog blanket that washes beautifully time after time.

WASHABLE LUXE DOG BLANKETS >
#4: Preventing dog bed mattresses & pads from going lumpy in the wash

Sadly, the internal mattresses supplied with most dog beds are not designed or constructed to wash well, unlike with Charley Chau's deep-filled mattresses.

Basic dog bed mattresses are often similar to a pillowcase full of fibre that has been sewn closed. This is a flawed designas there is nothing to prevent the fibre from twisting together and clumping when washed and spun in a washing machine, resulting in a lumpy, uncomfortable mattress for your dog.

Lumpy dog beds are not good for a dog's physical or emotional wellbeing. A lumpy dog bed does not provide good support - some parts of a dog's body may be totally without support, other parts may be at risk of developing pressure sores.

If your dog's bed has that sub-standard construction, when it comes to washing all you can do is hope and pray. Or you can invest in a dog bed that is designed to stay consistently supportive even after washing.

All of the mattresses in Charley Chau dog beds are constructed like a sofa cusion inside. We deep-fill our mattresses and construct them with internal baffles to prevent fibre migration so the mattress stays consistently supportive even after washing.

Even the feather bolster pads in the sides of our Ducky Donut Bed and Bliss Bolster Bed are machine washable, filled with washable, ethically souced duck feathers and guaranteed to come back to shape after every wash.

A brown dachshund dog sleeping stretched out inside a machine washable dog bed, a light blue gray donut style dog bed, placed in front of a black wood burning stove.

Charley Chau beds are genuinely desiged to wash well. Our Ducky Donut Beds and Bliss Bolster Beds have washable, ethically-sourced feather-filled pads in the side walls and are guaranteed to come back to shape wash after wash.

WASHABLE DUCKY DONUT DOG BED >
#5: Drying a dog bed after washing

Check the manufacturer's guidance on drying the different components of your dog's beds. We recommend:

  • For most dog bedding, air-dry on a rack in a warm, well-ventilated room.
  • Always tumble-dry feather-filled pads.
  • The dots inside tumble dry icons indicate the recommended heat setting for items that can be tumble-dried.
  • Always make sure bedding is bone dry before putting it back into use to avoid potential risk of mould, mildew or other nasties from forming in your dog's bed.

Practical accessories to make wash days a breeze

Charley Chau specialises in creating exceptional machine washable dog beds that are easy to maintain. Our collection includes:

Close up of a machine washable Charley Chau luxury dog bed mattress in beige, with the zip open revealing a waterproof mattress protector and white internal luxury mattress, placed on a table with a folded spare dog bed cover.

Charley Chau isn't just about individual dog beds, we have a system to help make our customers' lives as easy as possible with Spare Bed Covers, Waterproof Bed Liners and Replacement Mattresses available for any eventuality.

SPARES & REPLACEMENTS >
Is it time to upgrade your dog's bed to a truly machine washable dog bed?

Even with the best dog bed wash routine, some dog beds simply aren’t worth saving. It may be time to replace the bed if:

  • Your dog's existing bed is difficult to wash because of size or the way it's made.
  • The care instructions make proper machine washing impractical.
  • Smells persist even after thorough washing and drying.
  • The mattress feels lumpy, sagging or uneven.
  • Covers are thinning, torn or difficult to remove.

Make wash days easier with Charley Chau:

For advice on washing your dog's bedding, or anything to do with dog beds & blankets, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Two dogs sleeping very cosy and clean in a machine washable luxury dog snuggle bed by Charley Chau in dark blue velvet with a plush cream lining.

Charley Chau's signature Snuggle Bed, the bed that launched our brand in 2010. With easy to remove outer cover and machine washable everything, the Snuggle Bed paved our way to happy customers in over 60 coutnries around the world. All dog beds should be this cosy - and all dog beds should be as easy as a Charley Chau to keep clean.

SNUGGLE BED IN VELOUR >

Browse machine washable dog beds

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MACHINE WASHABLE DOG BEDS >

Frequently asked questions about hwo to wash a dog bed

How often should a dog’s bed be washed?

As a general guideline, most dog bed covers should be washed every one to two weeks, with more frequent washing for dogs that shed heavily, have allergies, or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Mattresses and inner pads should be vacuumed weekly-fortinghtly and washed at least every 12 weeks if they are not protected by a Waterproof Bed Liner.

Charley Chau’s machine washable dog beds are designed around this kind of routine – removable covers make regular washing realistic, while our waterproof liners help keep the mattress cleaner for longer, and all mattresses and filling pads are designed to wash beautifully time after time.

What is the best way to wash a dog bed?

Always follow the manufacturer's recommended care guidance. In general the best way to wash a dog bed is to:

  • Remove loose dirt and hair by shaking the bed, vacuuming and/or using a damp rubber glove to wipe hair off the bed.
  • Unzip and remove the covers from the mattress or inner pad for washing
  • Follow the wash care labels for temperature and cycle, and
  • Use a non‑bio detergent, add laundry sanitiser, and avoid fabric softener.

It helps enormously if the dog bed was designed to wash well in the first place. Charley Chau dog beds, such as our Deeply Dishy, Donut Bed and Snuggle Bed collections, are created with removable covers, carefully constructed mattresses and optional waterproof liners so they can cope with regular home laundering.

Is it okay to wash a dog bed in the washing machine?

Check the care labels on your dog's bed. If the manufacturer states that the dog bed is machine washable, then yes, it's fine to wash a dog bed in a washing machine. Remember that covers and internal mattresses/filling pads may have different care instructions. Dog beds that are poorly constructed may become less comfortable for your dog after washing with lumpy, unsupportive mattresses and fillings so always wash gently with low spin speeds.

Charley Chau luxury dog beds are designed to be fully machine washable, with removable covers and mattresses that have clear care instructions, so you can wash your dog’s bed in the machine with confidence.

How do you wash the inside of a dog bed?

The “inside” of a dog bed is usually the mattress and any pads that fill the bed's side walls.

First, check the care labels to see if the inners can be machine washed or if they should be hand washed only. If the inners are machine washable, follow the manufacturer's guidance.

As a general rule of thumb for fibre-filled dog beds, use a gentle cycle with low heat and low spin speeds. Dry nautrally and re-shape while damp.

Our deep-filled luxury mattresses, the foundatiin to most Charley Chau beds, are constructed like a sofa seat cuhion inside with stitched-in baffles to keep the hollow‑fibre fill evenly distributed, helping to prevent clumps when the mattress is washed. This is a key difference between Charley Chau mattresses and most other dog beds, delivering consistent, supportive comfort even after washing.

How to wash a dog bed that is too large for a home washing machine

If a dog bed is machine washable but just too large to wash in a domestic washing machine, wash the outer covers weekly – fortnightly and send the inner mattress/filling pads to a specialist cleaner or launderette with a large capacity washing machine every 12 weeks.

Make sure your remove loose dirt and hair before sending out to the cleaners, and strip the bed covers off the internal pads/mattress so they are washed loose.

Charley Chau customers with our large size machine washable dog beds often opt to protect the internal mattress and filling pads with Waterproof Bed Liners to act as a physical barrier keeping the inners hygienically cleaner for longer.

This means that they need to wash just the outer covers regularly which is easy to do in a home machine.

Best large size dog beds with Waterproof Bed Liner options available for easy maintenance:


How to wash a dog bed so it doesn't smell

To eliminate bad smells from a dog bed, the whole bed needs to be washed – inside and out. Bad smells are usually caused by bacteria living in your dog’s bed so there is a genuine hygiene issue that needs to be resolved for your dog’s comfort and good health.

Check that the bed is machine washable and follow the wash care guidance in terms of temperature and wash cycle. As a general rule:

  • Remove the outer covers from the internal mattress and any other filling pads.
  • Do not overload the washing machine – split into separate washes if necessary.
  • Use a good quality non-bio detergent.
  • Don’t be tempted to wash at a hot temperature “to kill germs”, add a good quality laundry sanitiser to the wash to kill bacteria instead e.g. Dettol’s Laundry Sanitiser or Napisan Sanitising Liquid – both kill 99.9% of bacteria even on low temperature washes.
  • Do not use bleach as it may damage the fabrics.
  • Allow the bed to dry the bed fillings and outer covers thoroughly before putting it back into use.

If the above still results in a smelly dog bed then it's time to invest in a truly machine washable dog bed that is easy to keep clean.

The best way to prevent a dog bed from becoming stinky is to wash the dog bed regularly – once every week or fortnight. Many Charley Chau customers with dogs who like to get particularly mucky opt for Waterproof Bed Liners on their Charley Chau dog beds to act as a physical barrier, protecting internal mattresses and pads and keeping them hygienically clean for longer.

How to wash a dog bed without a removable cover?

If your dog's bed does not have removable covers, but the manufacturer says it is machine washable, proceed with caution. Washing a dog bed with fibre fill inside it that is not designed and constructed well can result in a lumpy and uncomfortable dog bed.

Look at the manufacturer’s care instructions and follow the guidance and err on the side of caution – use lower temperatures, gentle wash cycles and low spin speeds.

If the bed goes lumpy in the wash, then it’s time to invest in a truly machine washable dog bed – one that is designed and constructed to cope with washing machines and real life. All Charley Chau dog beds are fully machine washable from our deep-filled mattresses, signature Snuggle Beds for dogs who love to burrow, and even our high wall beds such as our Deeply Dishy Bed. Even the Ducky Donut Bed and Bliss Bolster Bed with side walls filled with ehtically-sourced feather pads are machine washable.

What to do if your dog's bed is not machine washable?

This is not a good situation for your dog or your home from a hygiene point of view.

First check whether or not the bed can be dry cleaned. If it can, then send it to the dry-cleaners regularly - at least fornightly.

Alternatively, invest in a fully machine washable dog bed designed for easy maintenance at home to enable your dog to rest well and sleep well in a hygieincally clean dog bed. Take a look at Charley Chau's Machine Washable Dog Beds by Design.

What is the best way to clean a memory foam dog bed?

Memory foam is not machine washable - even smaller mattresses that will fit in a domestic washing machine. Foam is delicate and washing ina machine can cause it to crumble and disintegrate.

The best way to clean a memory foam dog bed is to remove the outer covers for washing (check the manufacturer’s care label).

If the memory foam dog bed does not have an anti-microbial mattress protector (see Charley Chau’s Anti-Microbial Memory Foam Dog Bed and Bliss Bolster Bed with Anti-Microbial Mattress) then
make sure you hoover the internal memory foam mattress regularly e.g. weekly – fortnightly. This is essential for removing physical dirt that includes dust
mite eggs and dust mite faeces which may not be visible to you as they will be
inside the foam.

Spot clean the foam with cool water and a mild detergent - use a blotting motion, not a rubbing motion to prevent damage to the foam. Blot dry the moisture. Sprinkling generous amounts of baking soda over the foam can also help to remove stains and odours - sprinkle and leave for 2-3 hours. Then hoover the baking soda off the foam.

Ensure the cover and memory foam are bone dry before putting the bed back into use or else there is a risk of mould, mildew and other bacterial nasties could thrive in your dog’s bed.

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