How to Wash Pet Bedding

Choosing a Detergent to Help Eliminate Pet Odor in Bedding

Dog blankets and bedding should be washed weekly to help with odor removal. The same goes for your own sheets and blankets if your doggo co-sleeps. Plus, if your pup likes to take a swim or has been out in the rain, your nose knows the telltale “wet dog” smell that can permeate every place your dog has been, especially his bed.

Our ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters, Fresh Burst laundry detergent is specially formulated to eliminate tough odors like sweat, body odor, and damp or musty smells. Using the power of OxiClean™ stain fighters, and ARM & HAMMER™ freshness, Odor Blasters detergent helps neutralize odors and leaves your pet bedding smelling clean and fresh.

Rather than trying every laundry hack you can find on the Internet, simply reach for the purple-capped bottle of ARM & HAMMER ™ Odor Blasters to help get rid of musty smells from a wet dog and damp bedding.

How to Wash Dog Beds & Blankets in Your Washer

If your dog bed has a removable cover, take it off and machine wash according to the directions below. If the manufacturer’s label indicates that the entire dog bed is machine washable, then toss it into your machine with other dog items such as towels or blankets. A machine without a center agitating arm works best.

Here is the basic procedure for washing your pet’s bedding:

1. Check the label on the dog bed to be sure it is machine washable.
2. If your dog bed has a removable cover, separate it from the padding. If your pupper sleeps on a blanket over the padded bed or on blankets alone, gather them and remove as much hair as possible before putting in the washer. To remove hair, take the blankets outside to shake vigorously or put the items in your dryer on an air-only cycle and clean the lint trap immediately after.
3. Wash the dog bedding in your washing machine as directed by the label, using the highest recommended temperature setting or at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Test the fabric for color fastness by applying the detergent on an inside seam or inconspicuous area on the bottom. If Fido has soiled the bed with muddy paws or you notice any visible stains, pre-treat them by wetting the fabric and applying ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Fresh Burst™ liquid detergent directly to the stain. Rub it in and allow it to work for 5-10 minutes before putting in your machine.
5. Place the doggie blankets and bed covering in your washing machine. For heavily soiled or very stinky dog bedding, use a full cap of Odor Blasters laundry detergent. If it’s a regular maintenance wash, fill the cap to level 2.
6. Use an extra rinse cycle to ensure that all detergent rinses from the fabric.
7. Dry on low heat or hang outside to dry on a sunny day. Do not use dryer sheets with pet bedding. Be sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap after drying dog bedding to remove any hair trapped on the filter.
8. For best results, after you’ve washed particularly smelly dog towels, blankets, or bedding covers, run your washing machine on a high-temperature cycle without adding any items. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a top-loader drum or the detergent dispenser of your front loader to help remove the odors and hair from your machine so they don’t transfer to your next load.

How to Hand Wash a Dog Bed for Odor Removal

If Rover sleeps in one of those large, comfy, fleece-covered, memory foam pillows or surround-beds, knowing how to wash that sort of dog bed is a bit trickier. You may even wonder, “can I wash my dog bed?” Dog beds can be bulky and too large for your washing machine. Don’t worry, though. ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters can be used to hand-wash your padded dog bed. Here’s how:

1. Prepare for washing by vacuuming your dog bed to remove hair, dirt, and debris.
2. If your pet bed is all one piece or too large for your washing machine, take it to your bathtub.
3. Test the fabric for color fastness by applying ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Fresh Burst™ liquid detergent on an inside seam or inconspicuous area on the bottom. Then pretreat any stains by applying the detergent directly to the stain. Rub gently and allow it to work for 5-10 minutes.
4. Fill your bathtub about half-full (enough to completely cover the dog bed) with hot water. Make sure it’s not too hot as you’ll be touching it to wash the bed.
5. Add a cap-full of Odor Blasters liquid laundry detergent and swish it around to distribute.
6. Completely submerge the dog bed into the water. Push it down and make sure that the water reaches the interior padding. Try turning it over several times to agitate the detergent and make bubbles. The bed should sink in the water.
7. Leave the bed in the tub for 15 minutes. Rub any problem areas with a soft cloth.
8. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, until no more soap residue or bubbles appear.
9. Squeeze the bedding thoroughly to remove as much water as possible.
10. Follow the manufacturer’s label for drying instructions. If it can be tumble-dried in your dryer, use a low dryer setting and do not use any dryer sheets. If not, wash the bed on a sunnier day and place the pet bed outside to air dry in the sunshine and breeze.

Choosing an Easy-to-Clean Ped Bed

Let’s face it. Washing your pet bed in the washer is much easier than hand washing. If it’s time to purchase a new bed for your furbaby, choosing one that is machine washable will save you a lot of time and hassle. Veterinarians recommend washing your dog’s blankets and outer bed cover weekly to help eliminate dirt and odors. Being able to toss it in the washer and pour in ARM & HAMMER™ plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Fresh Burst™ is a definite perk.

When shopping for an easy-to-clean dog bed, look for:

• A bed that is fully machine washable. Look at the care tag to be sure. Some smaller-sized beds can be picked up and washed in your washer as a single piece.
• Alternatively, choose a pet bed that has a removable, machine-washable cover. It’s easier to wash the cover than the entire bed, especially if you have a large dog and a large dog bed. Try putting the foam inner padding in the sun to air out while you wash the cover.
• High-quality fabric for the cover, so it will hold up after repeated washing. Read the care label before purchasing.
• If your pet is elderly and sometimes has accidents, purchase a waterproof liner to go under the cover for easier clean up.
• A good quality pet bed should have sturdy foam padding to keep your pet’s body off the floor.

Veterinarians recommend replacing your pet’s bed annually, as the fabric of the cover and the integrity of the padding will wear out. Sounds like a good furbaby birthday or holiday present every year!

A Laundry Detergent to Eliminate Pet Odor

 Use ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Fresh Burst™ liquid detergent to help keep your dog blankets and bedding clean and fresh. It’s specially formulated to help eliminate tough musty and damp odors on towels, clothes and bedding. We can help you wash the dog bedding, but for washing the dog, you’re on your own!