How to Wash a Giant Dog Bed

September 4, 2026

Giant dog beds — the kind built for Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, and other large breeds — are in a cleaning category of their own. They're too large for most home washing machines, too heavy to hand wash easily, and take significantly longer to dry than standard-size beds. But they also get dirtier faster, because big dogs bring more fur, more dander, more outdoor debris, and more body heat that accelerates bacterial growth in the bedding.

The good news: washing a giant dog bed is completely manageable once you know the right approach. This guide covers your options — home machine, laundromat, bathtub, and outdoor hose — so you can choose the method that works for your setup and keep your large breed's sleeping space genuinely clean.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Before anything else, check the care label on the bed. This tells you the water temperature, cycle type, and whether the dryer is safe. For giant dog beds, the most important things to look for:

Machine washable vs. hand wash only — beds with solid memory foam inserts must be hand washed; beds with PP cotton or polyester fill are typically machine washable
Removable cover — if the bed has a zippered cover, the cover and the insert should be washed separately
Tumble dry instructions — some giant beds specify air dry only; follow this carefully to avoid damaging the fill or fabric

Option 1: Laundromat Commercial Washer (Recommended for Most Giant Beds)

For the majority of giant dog beds, a commercial-size washer at a laundromat is the most practical solution. Commercial machines typically start at 6–8 cubic feet — two to three times the capacity of a standard home washer — and can handle even the largest XL and XXL beds with room to spare.

Why a laundromat is often the best choice:

Giant beds need room in the drum for water to circulate and clean effectively — cramming a bed into a too-small machine means an inadequate wash
Commercial dryers run hotter and have much larger capacity, significantly reducing drying time
You avoid the risk of overloading and potentially damaging your home machine

What to bring:

The bed (pre-vacuumed and pre-treated for stains at home)
Your own pet-safe fragrance-free detergent — laundromat-provided detergents often contain heavy fragrances
White vinegar in a small container for the rinse cycle (add to the softener compartment)
Extra quarters or loaded laundromat card

Settings to use:
Cold water, gentle or permanent press cycle. For the dryer, use medium-low heat and plan for at least two full drying cycles for a giant bed. Check between cycles that the fill in the center is drying — not just the outer surface.

Option 2: Home Machine (If It Fits)

If you have a large capacity front-loading machine (4.5–5.5+ cubic feet), a giant dog bed may fit — but check carefully before attempting. The bed should sit loosely in the drum with visible space around it. If you have to force, compress, or strain to close the door, the bed is too large for that machine.

Signs your home machine can handle it:

The bed fits with 3–4 inches of clearance around the edges
The drum door closes without pressing on the bed
The machine doesn't vibrate excessively or become unbalanced during the spin cycle

If the bed fits, follow the same settings as above: cold water, gentle cycle, extra rinse, low heat dryer.

Option 3: Bathtub Hand Wash

For beds that cannot go in any machine — either due to size or care label instructions — the bathtub is your next best option. It works well for giant beds with solid foam inserts or for owners who don't want to make a laundromat trip.

What you'll need:

Bathtub
Pet-safe detergent or mild dish soap
Soft-bristle scrub brush
White vinegar
Multiple clean dry towels

Step-by-step:

1. Pre-clean: Vacuum and shake the bed thoroughly before bringing it to the bathroom. Remove as much loose hair and debris as possible — this keeps your drain from clogging.

2. Fill and wash: Fill the tub with a few inches of cold water and add a small amount of pet-safe detergent. Submerge the bed and work the soapy water through it by pressing and squeezing. Use the scrub brush on heavily soiled areas. For giant foam inserts, gently press the soapy water through the foam — do not wring or twist.

3. Drain and rinse: Drain the tub and refill with clean cold water. Press through the bed to flush out soapy water. Repeat 3–4 times for a giant bed — they hold a lot of detergent and need more thorough rinsing than smaller beds.

4. Remove water: Press the bed firmly to push out as much water as possible. Lay clean towels on top and press to absorb moisture. For giant beds, you may go through several towels — the more water you remove at this stage, the faster it will dry.

Option 4: Outdoor Hose Wash

For giant beds that are too bulky even for the bathtub, or for a quick refresh that doesn't require full submersion, an outdoor hose wash is a practical alternative in warm weather.

Lay the bed on a clean surface (a tarp or clean concrete patio works well). Apply pet-safe detergent with a brush and scrub the entire surface. Rinse thoroughly with the hose, flipping the bed to ensure both sides are rinsed. Press out as much water as possible and move directly to outdoor drying in sunlight.

Hose washing doesn't get deep into the fill as effectively as submersion, but for routine freshening of an already-maintained bed, it does the job.

How to Dry a Giant Dog Bed

Drying is where most people run into problems with giant dog beds. The bigger the bed, the longer it takes — and the more important it is to ensure the fill is completely dry before your dog uses it again. A damp fill develops mildew quickly, producing a deep musty odor that's extremely difficult to eliminate.

Outdoor sun drying (best option):
Lay the bed flat on a clean surface in direct sunlight. Flip every 1–2 hours. Giant beds typically need 6–12 hours of outdoor drying time on a warm, dry, breezy day. The combination of heat, UV light, and airflow is the most effective natural drying method and also kills surface bacteria.

Commercial dryer at laundromat:
Use medium-low heat and run multiple full cycles (45–60 minutes each). Stop between cycles to check the center of the fill and to fluff and redistribute. Budget 2–3 dryer cycles for most giant beds.

Home dryer (if it fits):
Medium-low heat, multiple cycles. Add 2–3 clean dry towels to the drum to help absorb moisture and prevent the bed from balling up. Stop periodically to check progress and redistribution fill.

Indoor air dry:
Last resort. Place flat on a rack with fans circulating. This can take 24–48 hours for a giant bed — ensure the room is well-ventilated to prevent mildew during the extended drying period.

The rule: press your hand firmly into the very center of the fill. If it feels even slightly cool or dense, it's not dry. Do not put the bed back until it passes this test.

How to Pre-Treat Stains on a Giant Dog Bed

For stains on any giant dog bed, the most effective approach is to pre-treat before washing rather than relying on the wash cycle alone:

Urine/accident stains: Apply a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner directly to the stain, work in gently, leave for 15–20 minutes. Enzymatic cleaners break down the uric acid crystals that cause persistent odor — standard detergents don't.
Mud/dirt stains: Allow to dry completely, then brush off as much as possible before applying any liquid. Wet mud spreads; dry mud brushes off.
General odor and oil buildup: Apply a baking soda and cold water paste to the affected areas, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum off before washing.
Food stains: Apply a small amount of pet-safe dish soap directly to the stain, work in gently with a brush, leave for 10 minutes before washing.

How Often Should You Wash a Giant Dog Bed?

Giant breed dogs are higher-maintenance than small dogs when it comes to bedding hygiene:

Full wash: Every 2–3 weeks for most giant breeds; weekly for dogs with skin conditions, allergies, or heavy outdoor activity
Cover wash (if removable): Every 1–2 weeks
Spot clean: Immediately after accidents or visible staining
Deodorize with baking soda: Weekly
Vacuum: Every 2–3 days for heavy shedders like Bernese Mountain Dogs or Saint Bernards

Choosing a Giant Dog Bed That's Easier to Keep Clean

If the washing process feels overwhelming, the right bed design makes a real difference. Look for:

Removable, machine-washable covers — wash the cover frequently without washing the whole bed every time
PP cotton fill rather than memory foam — PP cotton is machine washable and dries far faster than foam
Durable reinforced stitching — giant beds endure more stress in the wash; seams need to hold up to repeated machine cycles
Faux fur or tightly woven outer fabric — more resistant to trapping odors than thick woven fabrics, and easier to spot clean

The Winter Warm Pet Bed is fully machine washable with high-density PP cotton fill that dries quickly, premium faux fur that holds up wash after wash, and reinforced construction. Available in multiple sizes — including large — for bigger breeds.

👉 Shop the Winter Warm Pet Bed →

Frequently Asked Questions

My giant dog bed won't fit in my home washer — what do I do?
Take it to a laundromat with commercial-size machines (6–8 cubic feet capacity). These handle even the largest XL and XXL beds easily and the commercial dryers significantly reduce drying time.

Can I wash a giant dog bed in a top-loading machine?
Top-loaders are generally less suitable for giant beds than front-loaders — the central agitator takes up space and can be hard on bulky items. If using a top-loader, choose a high-efficiency model without a central agitator and ensure the bed has plenty of room in the drum.

How do I get dog hair off a giant dog bed before washing?
Vacuum thoroughly, then use a rubber glove or rubber brush to collect remaining hair. Shake the bed outside before bringing it in. Removing as much hair as possible before washing prevents drain clogs and improves the wash result.

How long does a giant dog bed take to dry?

Outdoors in good conditions: 6–12 hours. In a commercial dryer: 2–3 cycles (90–180 minutes total). In a home dryer: 3–4 cycles. Indoor air dry: 24–48 hours. Always verify the center fill is dry before use.

Can I use a pressure washer on a giant dog bed?
Not recommended. The high-pressure water can damage fabric fibers, push water deep into fill that's then very difficult to dry, and potentially separate seams. A garden hose on normal pressure is the outdoor washing method of choice.

The Bottom Line

Washing a giant dog bed requires a bit more planning than a standard-size bed — the right machine size, multiple rinse cycles, and complete drying are all essential. For most giant beds, a laundromat commercial washer is the most practical and effective option.

If you'd rather simplify the whole process, choosing a bed with a removable machine-washable cover and fast-drying PP cotton fill means less effort every wash cycle. The Winter Warm Pet Bed is built for exactly that.