Can You Put a Dog Bed in a Washing Machine? Everything You Need to Know

It's one of the most common questions pet owners search for: can you put a dog bed in a washing machine? The short answer is: it depends on the bed. Some dog beds are fully machine washable, some require hand washing only, and others have components that can be washed while others can't. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to determine if your dog's bed is machine washable, how to wash it safely without damaging the materials, and the best practices for keeping a faux fur dog bed clean and fresh wash after wash.

How to Tell If Your Dog Bed Is Machine Washable

The first step is always to check the care label. Most quality dog beds include a sewn-in care tag with washing instructions. Look for these common symbols and instructions:

• Machine wash symbol (tub with water) — safe to machine wash; the number inside indicates maximum temperature
• Hand wash symbol (hand in tub) — machine washing is not recommended; hand wash only
• Do not wash symbol (crossed-out tub) — spot clean only; do not immerse in water
• Gentle cycle symbol (tub with one line underneath) — machine washable on gentle/delicate cycle only
• Temperature indicators — dots inside the wash symbol indicate maximum temperature: one dot = cold, two dots = warm, three dots = hot

If your bed has no care label or the label has worn off, err on the side of caution: use a cold, gentle cycle and air dry. This is safe for the vast majority of dog bed materials.

Which Dog Beds Are Safe to Machine Wash?

Faux Fur & Sherpa Beds

Most faux fur and sherpa dog beds are machine washable on a gentle cold cycle. The key risks are heat (which causes matting and fiber damage) and aggressive agitation (which can distort the bolster shape). Always use cold water and a gentle cycle, and air dry or tumble dry on the lowest heat setting.

Polyester Fill Beds

Standard polyester-filled beds — flat mats and pillow beds — are generally machine washable and one of the easiest bed types to clean. They tolerate slightly warmer water temperatures than faux fur and dry relatively quickly.

Memory Foam Beds

Memory foam dog beds should never go in a washing machine. The agitation and water immersion breaks down the foam cells, permanently destroying the orthopedic support the bed is designed to provide. Most memory foam beds have a removable cover that is machine washable; the foam insert itself must be spot cleaned or hand washed.

Orthopedic Foam Beds

Same rule as memory foam — the foam core is not machine washable. Wash the cover only. If the bed doesn't have a removable cover, spot clean the surface or hand wash very gently with minimal water saturation and air dry thoroughly.

Waterproof Beds

Waterproof dog beds with a rubberized or PVC coating require extra care. Machine washing can degrade the waterproof membrane over time. Check the label — many are machine washable on cold gentle cycles, but high heat in washing or drying will destroy the waterproof layer.

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How to Machine Wash a Faux Fur Dog Bed: Step-by-Step

Faux fur beds require a little extra care compared to basic fabric beds. Follow these steps for a clean bed that maintains its texture and shape:

Before Washing

1. Remove all loose fur and debris — vacuum the bed thoroughly or use a lint roller; wet fur clogs washing machine filters and drains
2. Check for damage — inspect seams, zippers, and the non-slip base; damaged seams can unravel in the wash
3. Pre-treat stains — apply a small amount of pet-safe detergent or a 1:1 vinegar-water solution to any visible stains; let sit for 10 minutes before washing
4. Pre-soak heavily soiled beds — for very smelly beds, add 1 cup of white vinegar to a bathtub of cold water and soak for 30 minutes before machine washing

Washing Settings

• Cycle: Gentle or delicate
• Water temperature: Cold only — never warm or hot
• Spin speed: Low if your machine allows it
• Detergent: Mild, fragrance-free, pet-safe liquid detergent — avoid powder detergents that can leave residue in deep pile fibers
• Detergent amount: Use half the normal amount — excess detergent is hard to rinse from thick faux fur fibers
• Vinegar boost: Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the drum for extra deodorizing and to act as a natural fabric softener
• Extra rinse: Always run an extra rinse cycle to remove all detergent residue

What Not to Use

• Fabric softener — coats faux fur fibers and reduces their ability to trap warmth; use vinegar instead
• Bleach — destroys synthetic fibers and is toxic to pets
• Strong-scented detergents — artificial fragrances can irritate pet skin and respiratory systems
• Hot water — causes faux fur to mat, shrink, and lose its texture permanently

Machine Capacity: Will Your Dog Bed Fit?

One of the most common problems with machine washing dog beds is capacity. A compressed dog bed may seem to fit in your washer, but once it absorbs water, it expands significantly and can damage the machine drum or motor by overloading it.

General guidelines for machine capacity:

• Small beds (under 24 inches) — fit in most standard top-load and front-load machines
• Medium beds (24–30 inches) — fit in most front-load machines; may be tight in smaller top-loaders
• Large beds (30–36 inches) — require a large capacity front-load machine; consider a laundromat's commercial washer
• Extra-large beds (36+ inches) — typically too large for home machines; use a commercial laundromat washer or hand-wash in the bathtub

If in doubt, use a laundromat's large commercial front-load washers. They have significantly more capacity and gentler agitation than most home top-load machines, making them ideal for oversized faux fur beds.

How to Dry a Dog Bed After Machine Washing

Drying is just as important as washing — an improperly dried dog bed can develop mold and mildew deep in the fibers, creating health risks for your pet and a persistent musty smell.

Tumble Drying

• Use the lowest heat setting — or the air-only setting if available; heat is the primary enemy of faux fur
• Add dryer balls — wool or rubber dryer balls prevent clumping and speed up drying
• Check and fluff every 20–30 minutes — remove from the dryer, shake, and reshape before returning; this prevents fibers from matting as they dry
• Test for dryness throughout — press into the thickest part of the bed to check for hidden dampness; a bed that feels dry on the surface can be damp inside

Air Drying

• Lay flat in a well-ventilated area — avoid hanging, which can distort the bed's shape under its own wet weight
• Reshape while damp — reform bolster edges on donut beds while still wet
• Use a fan — direct airflow significantly speeds up drying of thick faux fur beds
• Rotate regularly — flip every few hours for even drying
• Allow 24–48 hours — large faux fur beds need this long to dry completely when air dried

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How Often Should You Machine Wash a Dog Bed?

The right washing frequency depends on your dog and their habits:

• Weekly — dogs with heavy shedding, oily coats, or skin conditions; dogs that go outdoors frequently
• Every 2 weeks — most average dogs with normal activity levels
• Monthly — dogs that are bathed regularly and spend most time indoors
• After every illness — wash immediately if your dog has been sick
• After any accident — don't let urine or fecal matter sit in the fibers; wash as soon as possible

Between machine washes, maintain freshness with weekly vacuuming and baking soda treatments, and spot clean any accidents immediately. This extends the time between full washes without compromising hygiene.

Signs Your Dog Bed Needs Replacing, Not Washing

Even the best washing routine can't fix a bed that's past its prime. Replace your dog's bed when:

• The faux fur fibers are permanently matted and won't fluff back up after washing
• The fill is compressed flat and doesn't spring back under your dog's weight
• Odor returns within hours of a thorough wash — indicating deep bacterial contamination
• The non-slip base is peeling, cracking, or no longer gripping the floor
• Seams are fraying or the bolster has lost its shape permanently

The Winter Warm Pet Bed: Built for Machine Washing

The Winter Warm Pet Bed is designed to handle regular machine washing without degrading. Its faux fur fibers maintain their softness and texture through repeated cold gentle cycles, the bolster rebounds to its original shape when dried correctly, and the non-slip base holds up through the wash process.

Follow the cold gentle cycle guidelines in this article, add ½ cup of white vinegar to each wash, and tumble dry on low — and this bed will stay as fresh and inviting as the day it arrived, wash after wash after wash.

Final Thoughts

So, can you put a dog bed in a washing machine? For most faux fur and polyester-filled beds — yes, absolutely, with the right settings. Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, no fabric softener, extra rinse, and low-heat drying. Avoid machine washing memory foam or orthopedic foam inserts, and always check the care label first.

A machine-washable dog bed is one of the best investments you can make for your pet's hygiene and your own peace of mind. Keep to a regular washing schedule, spot clean between washes, and your dog will always have a clean, healthy, and comfortable place to sleep.

Shop the Winter Warm Pet Bed →

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