How to Wash a Round Fur Pet Bed Without Ruining the Fluff: The Complete Care Guide
You've invested in a beautiful round fur pet bed — plush sherpa walls, deep faux fur interior, perfectly fluffy bolsters — and now it needs washing. The problem? Wash it wrong and you'll end up with a matted, misshapen, flat shadow of the bed your pet loved. Wash it right and it comes out looking and feeling almost brand new, ready for another few months of digging, kneading, and cozy napping.
In this complete care guide, we cover exactly how to wash a round fur pet bed without ruining the fluff — the right machine settings, the products to use and avoid, how to dry it properly, how often to wash it, and how to restore fluff that's already been flattened.
Why Round Fur Pet Beds Need Special Care
Round fur pet beds — also called donut beds, bolster beds, or calming beds — are made from materials that require more careful washing than a standard flat pet mat:
- Faux fur and sherpa fabrics have long, soft fibers that mat, tangle, and flatten when exposed to high heat, harsh detergents, or aggressive agitation
- High-density polyester fill in the bolster walls can clump, shift, or compress permanently if washed incorrectly
- Mylar thermal lining (in self warming beds) can be damaged by high heat, reducing the bed's thermal reflective properties
- Structural foam bases (in orthopedic models) should never go in the washing machine at all
The good news is that with the right approach, round fur pet beds are very washable — and regular washing actually extends their life by preventing the buildup of oils, dander, and bacteria that degrade fabric over time.
Before You Wash: Check the Care Label
Always check the care label on your specific bed before washing. Most quality round fur pet beds are machine washable, but the label will specify the maximum temperature, spin speed, and any specific instructions for your bed. If the label says hand wash only or dry clean only, follow those instructions regardless of what this guide says.
For beds without a care label — or where the label has worn off — follow the gentle approach outlined below, which is safe for virtually all faux fur and sherpa pet beds.
Step-by-Step: How to Wash a Round Fur Pet Bed in the Washing Machine
Step 1: Remove Loose Hair and Debris First
Before putting the bed in the washing machine, remove as much loose pet hair, dirt, and debris as possible. This is important for two reasons: it prevents pet hair from clogging your washing machine's drain, and it allows the detergent to reach the fabric rather than working through a layer of hair and debris.
The best tools for pre-wash hair removal:
- A rubber pet hair removal brush — the most effective tool for removing embedded hair from faux fur and sherpa
- A lint roller — good for surface hair on smoother fabrics
- A stiff-bristled brush — loosens hair from deep in the pile
- Shake the bed vigorously outdoors — removes loose debris before brushing
Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains
For visible stains — mud, food, urine, or saliva — pre-treat before washing. Apply a small amount of pet-safe enzyme cleaner directly to the stain, work it gently into the fabric with a soft brush or cloth, and allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. Enzyme cleaners are particularly effective on organic stains (urine, feces, vomit) because they break down the proteins that cause both the stain and the odor.
Avoid: bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh stain removers on faux fur or sherpa — these can damage the fibers and cause discoloration.
Step 3: Use a Large-Capacity Machine
Round fur pet beds — particularly large ones — need room to move freely in the washing machine. A bed that's crammed into a machine that's too small will be agitated unevenly, causing the fill to clump and the fabric to mat. Use the largest capacity machine available. If your home machine is too small, a commercial laundromat machine (typically 20–30 lb capacity) is ideal for large pet beds.
Step 4: Wash on a Gentle or Delicate Cycle
This is the most important setting. The gentle or delicate cycle uses slower agitation and a shorter wash time, which protects the long fibers of faux fur and sherpa from matting and tangling. Never use a normal, heavy, or bulky cycle for a round fur pet bed.
Step 5: Use Cold or Warm Water — Never Hot
Hot water is the primary cause of faux fur and sherpa matting. High temperatures cause the synthetic fibers to fuse together, creating the flat, matted texture that's very difficult to reverse. Use cold water (for most washes) or warm water (for heavily soiled beds). Never use hot water on faux fur or sherpa.
For beds with a Mylar self warming lining, cold water is essential — heat can damage the reflective properties of the Mylar layer. For more on self warming bed care, see our guide to self warming pet pads for dogs and cats.
Step 6: Use a Gentle, Pet-Safe Detergent
Choose a mild, fragrance-free detergent designed for delicate fabrics or specifically for pet bedding. Use the minimum recommended amount — excess detergent leaves residue in the fabric that attracts dirt and can irritate your pet's skin. Avoid fabric softener entirely — it coats the fibers of faux fur and sherpa, reducing their softness and loft over time.
Good choices: Woolite Delicates, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, or any fragrance-free gentle detergent
Avoid: biological detergents (contain enzymes that can irritate pet skin), fabric softener, dryer sheets, bleach, or any detergent with strong fragrance
Step 7: Use a Low Spin Speed
High spin speeds wring the bed aggressively, which can distort the shape of the bolster walls and compress the fill. Use the lowest spin speed available, or select the "no spin" option if available and plan to gently squeeze out excess water by hand before drying.
How to Dry a Round Fur Pet Bed Without Ruining the Fluff
Drying is where most people go wrong. The dryer is the biggest threat to faux fur and sherpa — but air drying alone can leave the bed damp for too long, promoting mildew. The right approach combines both.
Option 1: Tumble Dry on Low Heat (Recommended)
Tumble drying on the lowest heat setting — or the "air fluff" / "no heat" setting if available — is the most effective way to dry a round fur pet bed while preserving the fluff. The tumbling action helps restore the loft of the faux fur and sherpa fibers as they dry.
Key rules for tumble drying:
- Use the lowest heat setting available — ideally "air fluff" or "no heat"
- Add 2–3 clean tennis balls or dryer balls to the drum — these beat the bed gently as it tumbles, breaking up clumps in the fill and restoring loft to the fabric
- Check the bed every 20–30 minutes and reshape the bolster walls while still slightly damp
- Remove the bed while still very slightly damp and allow to finish air drying — this prevents over-drying, which can damage synthetic fibers
- Never use high heat — even a single high-heat cycle can permanently mat faux fur and sherpa
Option 2: Air Dry (Safe but Slower)
Air drying is the safest option for the fabric but takes significantly longer — typically 12–24 hours for a large round fur bed. To air dry effectively:
- Gently squeeze (don't wring) excess water from the bed after washing
- Reshape the bolster walls and base while the bed is still wet
- Place on a clean, dry surface with good airflow — a drying rack, a clean outdoor table, or draped over a railing
- Flip the bed every few hours to ensure even drying
- Use a fan to speed up drying and reduce mildew risk
- Once dry, use a soft-bristled brush or pet slicker brush to restore the loft of the faux fur
Important: Never put the bed away or allow your pet to use it until it is completely dry throughout. A damp bed develops mildew quickly, which is both unhygienic and very difficult to remove.
How to Restore Fluff That's Already Been Flattened
If your round fur pet bed has already been washed incorrectly and the faux fur or sherpa is matted and flat, all is not necessarily lost. Here's how to restore as much loft as possible:
The Brush Method
A pet slicker brush or a soft-bristled clothes brush used in gentle, circular motions can restore significant loft to matted faux fur and sherpa. Work in small sections, brushing gently to separate the fibers without pulling them out. This works best on lightly matted fabric — severely matted fabric may not fully recover.
The Steam Method
Hold a clothes steamer or steam iron (on the steam setting, not touching the fabric) 2–3 inches above the matted area. The steam relaxes the synthetic fibers, making them easier to separate. Immediately after steaming, use a soft brush to lift and separate the fibers while they're still warm and pliable. Work in small sections.
The Dryer Ball Method
Place the dry, matted bed in the dryer on the lowest heat or air fluff setting with 3–4 dryer balls or tennis balls. Run for 20–30 minutes. The repeated gentle impact of the balls against the fabric can restore significant loft to lightly matted faux fur and sherpa.
Note: Severely heat-damaged faux fur — where the fibers have fused together — cannot be fully restored. Prevention (cold water, low heat drying) is far more effective than restoration.
How Often Should You Wash a Round Fur Pet Bed?
The right washing frequency depends on your pet and how heavily the bed is used:
| Situation | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Single healthy adult dog or cat, light use | Every 2–4 weeks |
| Multiple pets sharing one bed | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Pet with skin conditions or allergies | Weekly |
| Pet prone to accidents | After every accident |
| Outdoor dog with muddy paws | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Allergy-prone household (human) | Weekly |
Between full washes, spot clean visible stains immediately with a damp cloth and pet-safe cleaner, and use a lint roller or rubber brush to remove surface hair weekly. This significantly extends the time between full washes and keeps the bed fresher for longer.
Washing Beds with Removable Covers vs. Non-Removable Covers
Beds with Removable Covers (Recommended)
The best round fur pet beds have a removable, zippered cover that separates from the inner cushion or foam base. This is the ideal design for washing because:
- The cover can be washed frequently without washing the entire bed
- The inner cushion or foam base — which should never go in the washing machine — stays dry and clean
- The cover dries much faster than the whole bed
- You can have a spare cover to use while the first is washing
For beds with removable covers, wash the cover following the steps above and spot clean the inner cushion as needed. The inner cushion should be aired out regularly but only washed if it becomes visibly soiled or develops an odor that spot cleaning can't address.
Beds Without Removable Covers
For beds without removable covers, the entire bed goes in the washing machine following the steps above. Pay particular attention to ensuring the bed is completely dry before use — the thick fill of a non-removable bed takes significantly longer to dry than a cover alone.
What to Do If Your Bed Has a Foam Base
Many premium round fur pet beds — particularly orthopedic models — have a memory foam or orthopedic foam base. Foam should never go in the washing machine — the agitation and water absorption will destroy the foam's structure. For beds with foam bases:
- Remove the cover and wash it separately
- Spot clean the foam base with a damp cloth and mild detergent
- Allow the foam to air dry completely before replacing the cover
- To deodorize the foam, sprinkle with baking soda, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum off
For more on orthopedic pet beds and their care, see our guide to orthopedic pet beds for senior dogs and cats.
Keeping Your Round Fur Pet Bed Fresher for Longer
Between washes, these habits significantly extend the freshness and life of your round fur pet bed:
- Weekly lint rolling or rubber brushing — removes surface hair before it embeds deeply into the fabric
- Immediate spot cleaning — treat stains as soon as they happen; dried stains are much harder to remove
- Regular airing out — place the bed in a well-ventilated area or outdoors in fresh air (not direct sunlight) for a few hours weekly
- Baking soda deodorizing — sprinkle baking soda over the bed, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum off to neutralize odors between washes
- Paw wiping — wiping your dog's paws before they get into their bed significantly reduces the amount of dirt and moisture transferred to the fabric
- Waterproof liner — for pets prone to accidents, a waterproof liner under the bed cover protects the fill and foam from moisture. For more on waterproof options, see our guide to waterproof pet beds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a round fur pet bed in the dryer?
Yes — but only on the lowest heat setting or "air fluff" / "no heat" setting. High heat is the primary cause of faux fur and sherpa matting. Add 2–3 dryer balls or tennis balls to help restore loft. Remove while still slightly damp and allow to finish air drying.
Why is my pet bed flat after washing?
Flat, matted faux fur after washing is almost always caused by hot water, high heat drying, or high spin speed. The heat causes synthetic fibers to fuse together. To restore loft, try the brush method, steam method, or dryer ball method described above. For future washes, use cold water, gentle cycle, low spin, and low heat drying.
How do I get pet hair out of a round fur bed before washing?
A rubber pet hair removal brush is the most effective tool — the rubber creates static that lifts hair from deep in the pile. Work in circular motions across the entire surface. Follow with a lint roller for surface hair. Shake the bed vigorously outdoors first to remove loose debris.
Can I use fabric softener on a pet bed?
No. Fabric softener coats the fibers of faux fur and sherpa, reducing their softness and loft over time. It can also leave a residue that irritates sensitive pet skin. Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent only.
How do I get rid of pet odor from a round fur bed?
For mild odor: sprinkle baking soda over the bed, leave for 30–60 minutes, then vacuum off. For stronger odor: pre-treat with a pet-safe enzyme cleaner before washing — enzyme cleaners break down the organic compounds that cause pet odors at the molecular level. Wash with a fragrance-free detergent and ensure the bed is completely dry before use (damp beds develop mildew odor quickly).
My pet bed has a Mylar self warming lining — can I still machine wash it?
Yes, but use cold water only and the lowest heat setting for drying (or air dry). High heat can damage the Mylar reflective layer, reducing the bed's self warming effectiveness. For more on self warming bed care, see our guide to self warming pet pads for dogs and cats.
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The Bottom Line: Cold Water, Gentle Cycle, Low Heat — Every Time
Washing a round fur pet bed without ruining the fluff comes down to three rules: cold water, gentle cycle, low heat drying. Follow these and your bed will come out fluffy, fresh, and structurally sound wash after wash. Add dryer balls, skip the fabric softener, and brush the fabric after drying — and your pet's favorite bed will stay looking and feeling great for years.
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