Dogs are dirty creatures and their bedding can end up full of bacteria if not changed or washed regularly. Many dog owners don’t think about this aspect of keeping their pets clean and healthy, but it’s important to do so. Here’s how often you should change or wash your dog’s bedding, along with what you need to know before doing so.
Every day, people buy their dog’s beds. You may be one of them. Most dog owners buy dog beds regularly because they want to provide the best comfort for their four-legged friends. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all dog beds are equally durable and comfortable. Before you buy a new one, it is worth checking whether your current one is actually durable enough or should be replaced.
How often should you change or wash dog beds?
Most people change or wash their dog’s bedding once a week. This recommendation is recommended by many pet enthusiasts and veterinarians as well. However, it may not always be necessary, depending on how often your dogs usually sleep in the beds. Some owners keep their dog’s bedding for several days at different locations around the house after getting home from work or university since they prefer to put them away when they get home rather than bring dirty laundry all the time. This type of behavior is not recommended. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to change or wash the whole bedding on a weekly basis either.
Factors affecting if your dog beds need changing
Depending on the type of bedding and how often it is changed, dog beds will stay in a clean condition for longer or sooner. When choosing whether to change your pet’s sheets regularly or not, you should consider the following factors:
How dirty are they? Some types of mattresses can be heavily stained by urine without showing signs that they need changing every day when cleaned with water. A lighter light grey color is typically reserved for premium mattress materials. It could last a prolonged time when used with gentle cleaning. Furthermore, the size of your pet may influence their frequency of need to change beds either because they are small or big dogs and how long does it take them to get dirty enough for you can think twice about washing theirs since that is why we have these dog beds in the first place right?
How do they normally sleep on the bedding? Is there airflow underneath them Or will sleeping on them or being on the bed for a prolonged amount of time make it dirty? How many guests do you expect to come and stay with you often in your home where the dog beds are located together with other items that have not been separately cleaned from human dirtiness?
How much time per day will they spend sleeping there if these factors affect whether or not it is okay for their dog beds to turn out as usual after washing.
How to Wash Dog Beds?
The best way to care for your dog’s bed is by washing it at least once a week, whether or not the bedding is covered in pet hair.
- Wet down the whole bed before beginning: Making sure there is plenty of water contained within every inch of the surface area will help soak up dirt and oils. If possible, put a towel underneath the dog bed to catch any excess moisture as you work.
- Wipe down the surface with a cloth: Starting from one side of the bed, work your way around to the other using a clean, wet cloth. Make sure to go over all crevices and corners.
- Add soap or detergent: If needed, add some mild dish soap or washing machine detergent to the water and scrub along with dirt streaks until they disappear. Use gentle circular strokes, being careful not to cause damage to delicate materials.
- Rinse off: Shampoo the bed with cool water and a mild dishwashing detergent, rinse thoroughly, and wring out the cloth. Hang to dry or place on a towel rack to air dry.
If you only expect to have guests over occasionally and not on a regular basis, the bedding can be washed less often. A weekly wash will still be ideal, but every two weeks or so will suffice. If your dog spends most of its time lying down on the bedding, then it is best to keep them clean by washing their beds as often as needed.
Machine wash of dog bed
If you are machine washing your dog bed, follow these same steps but use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild dishwashing detergent.
Step 1: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to warm water.
Step 2: Lay a quilt or dog bed inside a laundry bag and tie off the extra opening. Set in the machine on a gentle cycle, turning at medium heat for 35–40 minutes (laundry machines vary). As your clothes naturally retain smells from everyday activities and travels, this step will help neutralize odor as well. Continue rinsing until thoroughly clean, then air-dry naturally.
Step 3: Tie the fabric into a knot and shake around to get rid of all loose material, then put in the dryer for cycle settings (Low) until completely dry on the first setting. Place vertically overnight for best results. However, if you live in an apartment or open floor plan where it will be hard to keep everything up off your floors due to both necessity and laziness, then consider folding corners and tucking the edges inside so they don’t curl. This is what I did to keep my dog’s bed from curling and after three washes, it looks just as good as when we got it!
Dogs are known for their cleanliness and you should be too. Their coats are designed to shed dirt and hair, so it’s important that you take care of them to ensure they remain healthy. In order to maintain a healthy dog, the most important thing is to keep your dog’s coat in good condition by regularly brushing their fur. This will also help prevent any issues such as skin irritation or matting, which can lead to more serious problems such as hot spots and infections. For more information like this one, visit https://dogguides.xyz/.
