Washable dog beds for medium dogs get cleaned by shaking out debris, checking the care label, and machine-washing only the removable cover in cold water — then air drying or using low heat if the label allows.
A smelly dog bed means you’re inviting bacteria back onto your dog every time they settle in. A medium bed (28–36 inches) is small enough to clean without a laundromat, and most pads have removable covers. The number one way people ruin these beds is tossing the whole thing into a machine before reading the tag.
How Do You Clean a Medium Washable Dog Bed Step by Step?
Start dry — vacuuming loose hair out before the bed gets wet keeps sheds and dander from turning into paste in the fabric. Chewy’s cleaning guide lays out this order:
- Shake and vacuum first. Shake outdoors, vacuum the fabric, sprinkle on baking soda, let it sit, then vacuum again to pull out odors.
- Read the care label. Some beds aren’t machine washable at all; the label is the only authority.
- Remove the cover if it zips off. Machine-wash the cover only.
- Wash on the correct cycle. Cold water on delicate, with pet-safe detergent (no dyes or fragrances).
- Dry fully before reuse. Lay flat to air dry; some plush fabrics tolerate low heat.
If the tag says cold only, stay cold — the label wins.
What Settings and Detergent Should You Use?
Cold water on a gentle cycle with fragrance-free pet detergent is the safe default most manufacturer labels call for. Push temperature up only when the label permits.
Only outer covers go in the machine; cushion inserts and the water-resistant liner do not. West Paw says its beds, mats, and blankets wash and dry in cold/cold on low heat.
| Bed / Brand | Washer Setting | What’s Washable |
|---|---|---|
| Best Friends by Sheri | Cold, gentle cycle; tumble low | Removable cover, separate from filling |
| Ruggable Boucle Bolster | Cold water, no bleach, tumble low | Outer covers only |
| West Paw beds and mats | Cold/cold water, low heat dry | Bed, mat, or blanket as labeled |
| Majestic Pet Super Value | Open-drum washer, gentle only | Whole bed (no agitator machines) |
For spot messes, Chewy suggests a damp cloth with an enzymatic cleaner. Nonchlorine bleach should be used only when necessary, never routinely.
If you’re shopping for a bed built to go in the wash, a roundup of tested dog beds for medium dogs is a faster starting point than reading a dozen listings.
How Often Should You Wash a Dog Bed?
Chewy recommends washing machine-washable beds at least every one to two weeks, depending on your dog. Heavy shedders, droolers, swimmers, or post-muddy-walk sleepers push toward two weeks; a tidy short-haired sleeper can stretch it.
If the cover isn’t removable, hand-wash: fill a tub with cool-to-warm water, add odor-free detergent, optionally ½ cup white vinegar, soak, brush stubborn areas, rinse thoroughly, squeeze out, and lay flat to dry. The vinegar handles lingering odor without harsh chemicals. Arm & Hammer’s pet bedding guidance backs the same approach: pet-safe products, address odor directly rather than masking it, and dry completely — a damp bed smells again within a day.
On foam-core beds with sewn-shut covers, cover-only washing is standard; some brands state the insert isn’t machine-washable. Wash what the label allows.
What Mistakes Damage a Washable Bed?
- Washing without checking the tag first.
- Sending foam cores, inserts, or non-removable parts through an unapproved cycle.
- Using an agitator machine on a bed requiring an open-drum washer.
- Adding bleach or fabric softener when the manufacturer says not to — softener coats fibers and reduces absorbency.
- Drying on high heat, or putting a still-damp bed back down. Low heat or air drying per the label.
Get the drying right and you’ve solved most maintenance problems before they start.
FAQs
Can you put the whole bed in the washing machine?
Only if the care label says the entire bed is machine washable. Many medium beds have removable covers that wash separately while the insert stays out. Beds without removable covers usually need hand-washing. When in doubt, follow the tag.
What detergent is safe for a dog bed?
A pet-safe detergent with no dyes or fragrances, since residue can irritate a dog’s skin and nose. Skip fabric softener and bleach unless the label permits them. For stubborn odors, add about ½ cup white vinegar to the wash water.
How do you get the dog smell out for good?
Wash roughly every one to two weeks and dry completely before reuse — a damp bed grows odor fast. Sprinkle baking soda before vacuuming between washes, and use an enzymatic cleaner on spots.
References & Sources
- Chewy. “How to Clean Dog Beds.” Source for washing frequency, water temperature, drying, and detergent guidance.
- Whole Dog Journal. “How to Wash Dog Beds.” Source for the hotter-wash temperature recommendation.
- Arm & Hammer. “How to Wash Pet Bedding.” Source for pet-safe odor treatment and thorough drying.