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How Often You Should Clean Your Pet beds
Reviewed by Zac Kieffer
Updated: September 10, 2025
Learn how often to clean your pet beds to keep your furry friends healthy and comfortable. Simple tips for a fresh, cozy space!
How Often You Should Clean Your Pet beds
Frequency Guidelines for Your Pet Beds
Every two weeks is ideal: For most pets, a bi-weekly cleaning helps keep allergens, pet hair, and dust at bay without being overly burdensome.
Weekly for derby dogs: If your pet is a heavy shedder, has skin issues, or tends to get into messy situations (think muddy paws or outdoor adventures), a weekly cleanup is a smart move.
Health considerations matter: Pets with allergies, respiratory issues, or those recovering from an illness can benefit from more frequent cleanings to reduce irritants and bacteria.
Environment influences frequency: Homes with high humidity or dust levels might require more regular cleaning to prevent mold and odor buildup.
Your sensitivity counts too: If someone in your household struggles with allergies, keeping pet beds pristine can help reduce airborne allergens and improve overall air quality.
Consequences of Skipping Pet beds Cleaning
Lingering Odors and Funky Smells: When pet beds go unwashed, they become a magnet for all the scents your furry friend brings in—think wet dog, drool, and whatever they rolled in at the park. Over time, these odors build up and can make your whole room smell less than fresh.
Increased Dirt and Hair Buildup: Pet beds are like giant lint rollers for fur, dander, and dirt. If you skip cleaning, all that grime piles up, making the bed look dingy and feel gritty. This mess can easily spread to your floors and furniture, too.
Potential for Pest Problems: Fleas, ticks, and even mites love a dirty pet bed. If you’re not regularly cleaning it, you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for these unwanted guests. Once they settle in, they can be tough to get rid of and may even spread to your pet or other areas of your home.
Skin Irritation for Pets: Built-up dirt, oils, and old saliva can irritate your pet’s skin, especially if they have allergies or sensitive skin. This can lead to scratching, licking, and even hot spots—those red, inflamed patches that are no fun for anyone.
Unwanted Stains and Discoloration: Drool, muddy paws, and the occasional accident can leave stains that get harder to remove the longer they sit. Over time, the bed can look permanently dirty, no matter how much you try to spot clean.
Reduced Comfort and Lifespan: All that grime and hair can flatten the bed’s filling, making it less comfy for your pet. A neglected bed wears out faster, meaning you’ll be shopping for a replacement sooner than you’d like.
Allergen Accumulation: Dust, dander, and other particles can collect in an unwashed bed, which may contribute to sneezing and sniffles for both you and your pet. While regular cleaning can help wipe away these particles, skipping it lets them build up.
Sprinkle baking soda generously over the pet bed and let it sit for 15–20 minutes to absorb odors. Vacuum thoroughly to remove the baking soda along with dirt, hair, and debris, leaving the bed fresh and clean.
Deep Odor Penetration
Vacuuming and baking soda may not remove deeply embedded pet odors, as these methods only address surface smells and cannot reach odors trapped deep within the bed’s fabric or filling.
White Vinegar and Hot Water Soak
Fill a basin with equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Submerge the pet bed and let it soak for 15–30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. This method helps eliminate odors and break down dirt naturally.
Allergen Residue Persistence
White vinegar and hot water may not fully remove allergen residues from pet beds, allowing allergens like dander or dust mites to persist and trigger allergic reactions even after cleaning.
Enzyme Cleaner Spray and Sun Dry
Spray pet beds thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner, focusing on soiled areas. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to break down stains and odors. Place the beds outside in direct sunlight to air dry completely, allowing the sun’s UV rays to help disinfect and freshen.
Bacterial Growth Risk
If enzyme cleaner isn’t fully rinsed or the bed isn’t dried thoroughly in the sun, moisture and residue can promote bacterial growth, leading to odors and potential health risks for pets and humans.
Place the pet bed in the washing machine and add a mild laundry detergent. Use a gentle cycle with cold or warm water. After washing, air dry or tumble dry on low heat. This method removes dirt and odors while being gentle on fabrics.
Stain Re-soiling Cycle
Stains may reappear after washing because mild detergent and machine washing can leave behind residue or not fully remove deep-set dirt, causing the pet bed to attract new soil and stains more quickly.
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