How to Wash a Large Dog Bed Without a Removable Cover

August 30, 2026

Washing a large dog bed without a removable cover is genuinely more work than washing one that has a zippered, detachable outer. There's no shortcut around that. Without the ability to separate the cover from the fill, you're cleaning the entire bed as one unit every time — which means more bulk to manage, longer drying times, and less flexibility in how often you can realistically wash it.

That said, it's completely doable with the right approach. This guide covers your best options: machine washing the whole bed, bathtub hand washing, and effective spot cleaning for between full washes. It also covers what to look for if you decide to upgrade to a bed with a removable cover — because after washing a non-removable bed a few times, most people decide the convenience is worth it.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Even without a removable cover, most large dog beds have a care label that tells you whether the whole bed is machine washable or hand wash only. The fill type usually determines this:

PP cotton or polyester fiberfill: Almost always machine washable as a whole unit
Shredded foam fill: Often machine washable on gentle; check the label
Solid memory foam insert: Hand wash only — even without a removable cover, solid foam cannot go in the machine
Chip foam or mixed fill: Check the label; results vary by density and construction

If there's no care label or it's unreadable, the safest default is hand wash in the bathtub on the first attempt, so you can see how the fill and fabric respond before committing to a machine wash.

Option 1: Machine Wash the Whole Bed

If the care label confirms machine washable, this is the most practical approach for a large bed without a removable cover.

Pre-wash preparation:

Shake outdoors to remove loose hair and debris
Vacuum both sides thoroughly with an upholstery attachment — this is especially important for non-removable cover beds because any hair that enters the machine can't be separated and washed independently
Use a rubber glove on plush areas to collect remaining embedded hair
Pre-treat visible stains with pet-safe enzymatic cleaner; let sit 15 minutes

Machine size:
A large bed without a removable cover needs room in the drum to move freely. If it doesn't fit in your home machine with visible space around it, use a commercial machine at a laundromat — a 6–7 cu ft front-loader handles most large beds comfortably.

Settings:

Cold water
Gentle cycle for plush and faux fur; normal cycle for canvas or heavy fabric
Extra rinse — essential for a single-unit bed where the fill and cover wash together; detergent rinses less easily through the whole assembly
Highest available spin speed to extract maximum water before drying

Detergent:
Use a fragrance-free, pet-safe detergent. Use less than you think you need — about half a normal load amount. Add white vinegar to the softener compartment for natural deodorizing. No fabric softener, which reduces fabric breathability and can irritate skin.

Option 2: Bathtub Hand Wash

For beds that can't go in a machine (solid foam fill, oversized for available machines, or care label specifies hand wash), the bathtub is the go-to method for large beds without removable covers.

What you'll need:

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

Step-by-step:

1. Pre-vacuum: Vacuum and de-hair the bed before bringing it into the bathroom. Wet hair becomes significantly harder to remove and can block the drain.

2. Fill the tub: Add a few inches of cold water and a small amount of pet-safe detergent. You don't need to fill the tub deeply — the combination of soapy water and manual scrubbing does the work.

3. Scrub the exterior: Submerge the bed and use a soft brush to scrub the entire outer surface, working the soapy water into the fabric. Pay extra attention to the center sleeping surface, the edges, and any stained areas. For non-removable cover beds, the outer fabric is where most of the dirt and odor lives — give it thorough attention.

4. Work water through the fill: Press and squeeze the bed to push soapy water through the fill. For beds with PP cotton or fiberfill, this is straightforward. For foam fills, press gently without twisting or wringing — foam is vulnerable to tearing when wet.

5. Drain and rinse multiple times: Drain the tub and refill with clean cold water. Press the bed to push soapy water out. Repeat 3–4 times until the water runs completely clear. Non-removable cover beds need more thorough rinsing than covered beds because the detergent has to flush out through both the cover fabric and the fill without the option of separating them.

6. Remove water: Press the bed firmly to push out as much water as possible. Lay large towels over the bed and press down firmly to absorb additional moisture. For large beds, go through several towels — the more water removed at this stage, the faster the drying.

Option 3: Spot Cleaning Between Full Washes

For a large bed without a removable cover, spot cleaning between full washes isn't optional — it's a necessary part of maintenance. Full washes are more disruptive and time-consuming for these beds, so keeping on top of stains and odors between washes extends the time between full cleans.

For fresh stains:
Blot immediately with a clean dry cloth — never rub, as rubbing spreads the stain and drives it deeper. Apply a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner to the stained area, work in gently, leave for 15–20 minutes, then blot clean with a damp cloth. Enzymatic cleaners are essential for urine, saliva, and other organic stains — they break down the proteins that cause persistent odor at the molecular level.

For odor between washes:
Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire bed surface, leave for 30–60 minutes, then vacuum off thoroughly. This neutralizes odors without adding any moisture — important for a non-removable cover bed where you want to minimize how often the fill gets wet.

For general surface freshening:
A spray bottle with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, lightly misted over the surface and allowed to air dry, deodorizes effectively and is safe for all fabric types.

How to Dry a Large Dog Bed Without a Removable Cover

Drying is the hardest part of washing a non-removable cover bed, and the most important to get right. Because the cover and fill are a single unit, moisture can't escape as easily — drying takes longer, and the risk of mildew developing in the fill is higher.

Tumble dry (if care label allows):
Low or medium-low heat. Run multiple full cycles, stopping between each to check the fill by pressing firmly into the center. Add clean dry towels to the drum to help absorb moisture. For a large non-removable cover bed, expect 3–4 cycles before the fill is fully dry.

Outdoor sun drying:
Lay flat in direct sunlight, flip every 1–2 hours. The combination of heat, UV light, and airflow is the most effective natural drying method. Budget 6–12 hours for a large bed on a warm, breezy day.

Indoor air drying:
Last resort. Place flat on a rack with fans circulating. This takes 24–48 hours for a large non-removable cover bed — ensure excellent ventilation throughout.

The critical dryness test:
Press your hand firmly into the very center of the thickest part of the fill. It must feel uniformly room temperature and resilient — not cool, not dense, not faintly damp. If there's any doubt, more drying time is needed. Mildew in a non-removable cover bed is extremely difficult to eliminate once established because you can't access the fill directly.

How Often Should You Wash It?

Without a removable cover, washing frequency is more of a compromise between hygiene and effort:

Full machine or hand wash: Every 4–6 weeks for most dogs; every 2–3 weeks for heavy shedders or outdoor dogs
Spot clean: Immediately after accidents; as needed for visible stains
Baking soda deodorize: Weekly
Vacuum: Every 2–3 days

Compare this to a bed with a removable cover, where the cover can be machine washed every 1–2 weeks without touching the inner cushion — significantly less effort for significantly better ongoing hygiene.

The Case for Upgrading to a

If you find yourself dreading the washing routine for your current bed, it's worth considering whether a bed with a removable cover would genuinely improve your day-to-day life with your dog. The advantages are substantial:

Wash the cover weekly without touching the inner cushion — a 10-minute effort that keeps the bed fresh at a level impossible with non-removable cover beds
Deep wash less frequently — because the cover handles the surface hygiene, the inner cushion only needs washing every 1–2 months
Faster drying — washing the cover and cushion separately means each dries faster than the combined unit
Stains stay on the cover — the cover takes the brunt of accidents and everyday soil, protecting the inner cushion from needing frequent deep cleans

The Winter Warm Pet Bed is fully machine washable as a complete unit, filled with high-density PP cotton that dries quickly, and made from premium faux fur that holds up to repeated washing. It's designed to make the cleaning routine as effortless as possible.

👉 Shop the Winter Warm Pet Bed →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a large dog bed without a removable cover in the washing machine?
Yes, if the care label says machine washable and the bed fits in the drum with room to move freely. Use cold water, gentle cycle, and an extra rinse. Beds with solid memory foam fills cannot go in the machine regardless of whether the cover is removable.

How do I get urine smell out of a dog bed without a removable cover?
Apply a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner directly to the affected area. Work in gently, let it sit for 20 minutes, and blot clean. For deep urine penetration, a full bathtub wash with enzymatic cleaner added to the wash water gives the best result. Baking soda deodorize after the bed is fully dry.

My dog bed without a removable cover smells after washing — why?
Almost always due to incomplete drying. When the cover and fill are a single unit, moisture takes longer to escape from the interior fill. Press into the very center of the bed — if it feels even slightly cool or damp, it needs more drying time. Rewash and ensure complete drying before your dog uses it again.

Is it worth buying a dog bed with a removable cover?
For most dog owners, yes. The ability to wash the cover weekly without washing the whole bed dramatically reduces the effort and time required to keep bedding hygienically clean. It also extends the life of the inner cushion by reducing how frequently it needs a full wash.

How do I wash a dog bed without a removable cover if it's too large for my machine?
Use a commercial-size machine at a laundromat (6–8 cu ft capacity handles most large beds) or hand wash in the bathtub. The bathtub method works well for all fill types except solid foam, which can be bathtub washed but requires very gentle handling and 24–48 hours to dry.

The Bottom Line

Washing a large dog bed without a removable cover requires more effort than washing one with a removable cover — but it's manageable with the right method. Machine wash if the care label allows and the bed fits the drum; hand wash in the bathtub for solid foam inserts or oversized beds; spot clean regularly between full washes; and always ensure the fill is completely dry before returning the bed to your dog.

If the process feels like more work than it should be, that's the non-removable cover making itself known — a bed designed for easy washing makes the whole routine significantly simpler.