May 31, 2025

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

At Charley Chau, we design to a mantra of machine washable everything. As dog lovers with five dogs of our own, we understand the need for stress-free maintenance, and we specialise in designing luxe dog bedding that is as practical as it is gorgeous which means we know a fair bit about wash care. Here's our experts' guide on how to wash a dog bed.

Dog Bed Coer and dog mattress after washing in a washing machine

Washing a dog bed: why it’s important to wash a dog bed regularly

The average dog spends 12 to 14 hours a day sleeping and when they’re not sleeping, they’re usually picking up lots of dust and dirt on their paws and in their coat, and it all goes back to bed with them. Dog beds are also magnets for bacteria and dust mites, that feast on the dirt and animal dander that infiltrates your dog’s bed right into the mattress. Keeping on top of the dirt is essential for good health – for both your dog and the humans in your household.

How often to wash a dog bed

We recommend that you wash your dog’s main bed (the one they spend most time in) regularly – don’t let dirt build up over time. Wash the outer covers of your dog’s bed at least once every 1-2 weeks, and the internal mattress and other filling pads at least once every 3 months if the bed does not have waterproof bed liners to protect the internal mattress/filling pads to keep out moisture, dander and dirt.

If your dog’s bed does have waterproof bed liners on the mattress, you’re in a happy place as the main thing you will need to do is simply air the mattress and other filling pads every month to keep them damp free and fresh.

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 - all Charley Chau dog beds have fully removable, machine washable covers.

Pre-wash prep before machine washing a dog bed

Remove any excess dirt/debris from the bed e.g. by shaking everything out or vacuuming the bed. Wiping the bed with a damp rubber glove on your hand is also a simple but effective way of removing dog hairs.

how to wash a dog bed - removing the outer covers

Strip the bed – remove the outer covers so that each individual element of the bed can be cleaned more effectively in the wash. Having spare dog bed covers on hand also reduces the stress on wash day..

Check that the covers and mattress and any other elements of the bed fit into the washing machine sensibly. Split into separate washes if necessary – do not be tempted to overload the machine as the wash is unlikely to clean well, rinse clear, or spin out properly. Plus, there’s a chance you could damage your washing machine.

Machine-washing a dog bed: the wash care symbols for washing a dog bed

First, check that the dog bed can be washed - always check the wash care labels on each element that make up your dog’s bed.

Look for the wash tub with no cross through it - it most likely has a temperature written inside it too. If the bed is hand wash only, do not attempt to machine wash the bed - instead, think about replacing it with a stress-free Charley Chau dog bed that is fully machine washable.

Which wash cycle to wash a dog bed?

Wash cycles vary mainly on the degree of agitation that the textiles will be subjected to whilst washing, the temperature and the spin speed. Check the washtub symbol carefully for which wash cycle to choose when machine washing a dog bed.

Pay special attention to any lines underneath the wash tub symbol - they indicate the level of agitation of the wash cycle and are important

No line under the wash tub: standard levels of agitation and spinning e.g. a cotton wash.
Single line under the wash tub: reduce the level of agitation and spinning e.g. a synthetics wash.
Double line under the wash tub: requires very gentle washing - lowest levels of agitation and spin speeds, e.g. a delicates or wool wash.

Avoid quick wash cycles - they deliver intense levels of agitation and high spin speeds causing fibres to twist and rub against each other excessively which can lead to shrinkage and pilling (where a fabric goes bobbly or matted) and can shorten the life of the fabric.

Over long periods of time, fabrics washed on gentler wash cycles tend to maintain their integrity for longer.

What temperature for washing a dog bed?

There is no need to wash dog beds at high temperatures under normal circumstances – a good quality detergent is sufficient for removal of stains and general dirt, and bacteria. As a rule, heat is not kind to textiles (whether on a dog bed or your own bedding and clothes) so cooler washes are more likely to preserve the life of the fabric. Never exceed the temperature indicated on the wash care label.

What spin speed for washing a dog bed?

Again, pay attention to the number of lines under the wash tub symbol - no line means high spin speeds are OK. A single line requires a moderate spin speed. Two lines requires the lowest, gentle spin speeds.

There is a trade off with spin speeds – higher spin speeds spin more water out of the fabric but have a high risk of causing fabric to shrink and pill (bobble/mat). Lower spin speeds provide better care for fabrics, but the fabrics retain more water. Follow the guidance on the care label and bear in mind that lower spin speeds are kinder to the fabric.

Never spin long-pile fabric such as fluffy faux-furs or sherpa type fleeces with a high spin speed – the spinning will matt / pill the fabrics.
Never spin fibre-filled mattresses or pads on a high spin speed as it will cause the fibre to clump together leaving with your dog with a lumpy, uncomfortable mattress.

What laundry detergent is best for washing a dog bed? Non-bio or a biological detergent?

When washing a dog bed with regular levels of dirt, we recommend a good quality, non-bio laundry detergent. If you have a particularly mucky dog bed, then you could use a biological detergent if your dog does not have any skin sensitivities or general allergies.
Biological detergents contain enzymes (usually lipase and protease) that are very good at breaking down fats and proteins and as a result are usually better than non-bio detergents for grease and stain removal, especially at lower temperatures. However, the enzymes are common household allergens so avoid using where possible.

Washing a really smelly dog bed: add laundry sanitiser

This is NOT a Charley Chau. Avoid ever allowing your dog's bed to get into this state.

Unless there has been an obvious catastrophe, a stinky dog bed is usually caused by a build of bacteria hence we recommend dog beds are washed regularly so they never get too stinky.

To deal with really smelly dog beds, add a laundry sanitiser such as Dettol's Laundry Sanitiser which kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses at wash temperatures as low as 20 degrees Celsius.

Washing a dog bed or dog blankets: do not add fabric softener

Do not add fabric softener when washing dog bedding - it leaves a coating on the fibres in the textiles and fillings which builds up over time and is a magnet for dirt and bacteria, as well as affecting the integrity of the fabric.

Tips on washing a dog bed mattress

Most mattresses in dog beds are prone to going lumpy in the wash because they are not designed or constructed to prevent it. Not all dog beds are made equal.

Charley Chau’s standard luxe dog bed mattress is deep-filled with insulating hollow-fibre and on the inside, there are “baffles” stitched into the casing to keep the fibre in the right place even when the mattress is washed in machine – lump free mattress washing.

When it comes to washing mattresses and other filling pads which can be bulky, especially for larger dog beds, do not be tempted to force the mattress/pads into the drum – they won’t wash well and are more likely to end up lumpy. If the mattress and/or any other elements that make up the dog bed do not fit in your washing machine, send them out to be washed in a large capacity machine instead e.g. at a launderette.

If the mattress has a hollow-fibre fill, wash on a low temperature (e.g. 30° C), on a gentle wash cycle with a low spin speed. Re-shape while damp and air-dry naturally in a warm, well-ventilated room. Make sure the mattress is bone dry before the bed is re-assembled and put back into use. Damp dog beds can easily form mould, mildew and other nasties.

How to dry a dog bed after washing

The care labels in your dog’s bed should indicate how best to dry the different elements that make up the bed. Check the tumble dry symbol for guidance on the correct heat setting. After removing from the drier, allow the dog bedding to cool to room temperature before putting it back into use.

Bear in mind that heat is not a friend of most fabrics and fillings so drying naturally is usually the best way to prolong the life of any fabric – on a laundry rack in a warm, well-ventilated room. Air-drying is also kinder to the planet.

One bed filling that does need to be tumble dried is feathers – if your dog’s bed contains any feather fillings (like our luxe Bliss Bolster Bed and Ducky Donut Beds) make sure the feather pads are dried thoroughly in a tumble drier - bone dry - before putting them back into use.

However you dry your dog's mattress and covers, everything should be bone dry before putting the bed back into use to avoid potential risk of mould, mildew or other nasties.

A round up of our top tips on washing a dog bed

Always check the care label
Remove loose dirt and debris before washing
Remove all loose covers for washing
Don’t over-fill the machine
Use a good quality detergent and laundry sanitiser if necessary
Choose lower temperatures, gentle wash cycles and gentle spin speeds
Dry naturally on unless instructed to tumble dry
Make sure every item of bedding is bone dry before putting the dog bed back into use