As with your own, your doggie's sleeping quarters require some routine maintenance. If not, they may develop skin problems or get fleas again! To avoid the bad smell and keep your pups feeling fresh with ultimate advice on how to wash a dog bed. Here are a few tips that can keep you and your canine pup smelling fresh and clean.
To start, remember to always read the label on the bags of puppy's food - it will tell you how often to soak or use the cleaner. For the most part, you can use it once a week or slightly more often. If your pet has just been spayed, you may need to soak a bit more often. For serious stains, you can soak as often as every two hours or so, and repeat the process if necessary.
Once you have found out how to wash a dog bed clean, make sure you do all the necessary preparation first. The area needs to be dried thoroughly. Use a laundry hamper, or even paper towels to blot the area dry. If the stains have already soaked in, gently blot them dry before putting on a fresh sheet of fabric. You don't want to re-soak the area before finishing the rest of the laundry!
If your pet hasn't been spayed, you'll still need to clean it.
It's important to note that washing dog beds is different from cleaning other types of doggie bedding. In this case, you need to make sure the area is completely dried and clean. Wash in hot water, using a gentle detergent to get blood out of sheets quickly and effectively. Wipe off the stained area with a damp cloth and put on a fresh disposable sheet before putting on another one.
Most of the time, your pet will sleep through the entire process unless it gets really dirty. However, sometimes it's just easier to remove the dog bed and start over if it's particularly dirty. Before you begin washing the dog, check to see if the removable cover has already been cleaned. If it has, put it aside to make it easier to wash in the washing machine.
Mild Detergent
To begin, use a mild detergent to wash the covers. Do not use any soap or soapy water, as this could potentially hurt your dog's skin. If the covers are particularly dirty, simply soak them in a bit of warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. You may want to mix in a bit of bleach with soapy water if the stains appear to be a darker color. Once you have scrubbed them thoroughly, let them dry, and then put on a fresh washcloth to dry.
After you have dried the covers, use a mild dish detergent to rinse them and then rinse them with hot water. Rinse them until they are completely dry. Next, spray them with a little bit of non-toxic cleaner (if available) and scrub them gently until they are thoroughly cleaned. Once they are cleaned, allow them to air dry. You can then place them back onto the towel-lined surface and let them air dry again.
Another handy pro tip is to take the dog outside when it is very hot.
If it is extremely hot, it may take several hours for it to air dry. You can also use an old pair of socks, which has been soaked with cold water, to dry them by wrapping them around the dog's body for several minutes. It will provide a nice little sweet spot. This will help your pup get through that sticky summer heat.
Never Leave It In The Machine
One of the most important things to remember when learning how to machine wash a dog bed is to never leave it in the machine. Most commercial washes use extremely hot water, and this can cause problems with some fabric types. In addition, leaving a wet dog bed in the dryer can cause the dog to develop severe allergies. Be sure not to leave a wet one in the machine.
White Vinegar And Dog Shampoo
The next step in learning how to clean a dog bed is to simply use a mixture of one-half cup of white vinegar and three-quarters cup of dry dog shampoo. Mix the vinegar and the dry shampoo until they are completely mixed. Shake the bottle until the solution is evenly moistened throughout. Once the vinegar is dampened, simply run the combination of vinegar and dryer through the entire bed.
To remove stains from the surface of your dog's bed, you will need mild soap and a sponge. Detergent is always a better alternative to bleach for any type of carpet or rug, as it does not breach the fiber at all. If you do decide to use a stain remover, you should only use a mild variety of detergent. These stain removers may also cause your dog to develop diarrhea, leading to dehydration. So, follow the instructions on the label to determine the correct cleaning ingredients.
If you have a pet dog at home, you may already know how to clean a dog bed, because most dog beds today come with a removable cover. When it comes to washing a dog bed, you also need to consider the type of bed that they have as other types of beds may get different treatment when being cleaned. However, when it comes to cleaning there are two basic categories of dog beds: those that have removable covers and those that do not. There are also other options that you can consider for washing your pet bed.
Removable Cover
You should do the first thing when you want to know how to wash a dog bed to check the removable cover to see if it can be removed by using a plastic brush. If the cover cannot be removed, you should instead buy new ones because they are designed to keep the urine on the surface of the bed dry. When buying new dryer sheets, make sure they also have a Velcro strap so that your pet can hang it up in a proper place. As mentioned before, you should only use detergent when needed and follow the directions on the label when you do this, otherwise the bed will start to smell bad and you will have to throw them out.
Vacuum The Area
The next step when learning how to wash a dog bed clean is to thoroughly vacuum the area. The reason why this is important is that the first few times that the stains are cleaned up, they may be a little harder to remove. As such, when you vacuum first, you can try to apply some sort of neutral detergent that is recommended for removing stains from any surface. This is also a good time to add some additional bleach to the water.
After getting your Davenport and drier out, you should then start washing the rest of the covers using a mild, odor-free detergent. For example, if you're learning how to wash a dog bed with removable covers air dry, you need to use a brand specifically designed for this purpose. It's always a good idea to run some cold water through your machine before you start cleaning though, just in case there's any excess moisture that caused the stain in the first place. Once you've completed vacuuming all areas, you should then rinse the dog beds with warm water and dry them with a towel. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to drying any item, especially clothing or delicate items.
If everything seems to be working correctly, then you can put the covers back on and put your pet back into his or her bed. This may require some extra effort on your part, as sometimes these covers get quite dirty and hard to clean without a proper soak in hot soapy water. However, most owners find that doing this exercise at least once a month is more than enough to keep their covers clean and ready for whenever their pets need a fresh soak.
Conclusion
There are also a variety of natural cleaning products available on the market that you can mix with your homemade soaps and detergent. These natural products, such as vinegar, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and even honey can be used to gently scrub away stains from your dog's comforter and sheets. Be sure to rinse off any excess residue from the detergent before your pet returns to its bed.
