The key is simple: get dry fur off the bed before it reaches the washer. That keeps clumps out of seams, reduces hair left in the drum, and makes the laundry load easier to dry.
Start With Dry Hair Removal
Do not put a fur-covered bed straight into the washer. Once loose hair gets wet, it mats into seams and corners, sticks to the cover, and ends up in the washer and dryer.
Before every wash, use this order:
- Take the bed outside and shake it firmly.
- Loosen hair with a rubber grooming brush, rubber glove, or upholstery brush.
- Vacuum the seams, bolsters, zipper areas, and underside.
- Finish with a lint roller only where a thin layer of hair remains.
The vacuum step matters most on beds with raised sides. Fur builds up where the sleeping surface meets the bolsters, along zipper tracks, and underneath the bed. Those spots can also collect skin flakes, crumbs, and dampness even when the top looks clean.
Keep the brush, vacuum attachment, and lint roller with pet linens. A two-minute cleanup every few days is easier than dealing with a heavily furred cover on laundry day.
| Shedding situation | Dry hair removal | Cover laundry | Insert care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-haired dog with light shedding | Every 3 to 4 days | Every 2 weeks | Monthly, or when soiled |
| Double-coated or heavy-shedding dog | Every 1 to 2 days | Every 3 to 7 days | Every 2 to 4 weeks, following the care instructions |
| Dog that brings in dirt, grass, or sand | After outdoor-heavy days | Weekly | Spot-clean between washes |
| Two or more dogs sharing one bed | Daily | Every 3 to 7 days | Clean after odor develops or an accident occurs |
Choose a Bed That Is Easier to Wash
Shedding season is much easier to manage when the part collecting the hair can come off and go into the wash. A removable cover separates routine laundry from the bulky cushion inside.
A bed with a removable cover is a strong choice for dogs that shed heavily, sleep on the same bed every night, or leave a visible layer of fur after a few days. It lets you wash the cover without soaking or hauling the entire bed through the laundry.
A separate liner adds protection from muddy paws, drool, and accidents. It also adds another piece to wash and dry. Waterproof layers need to dry fully on both sides before the bed is reassembled. Moisture trapped in seams, folded corners, or inside the cushion can leave odor behind.
Whole-bed washable designs can work for smaller, lighter beds that fit comfortably in the washer. Avoid forcing a bed into a drum that is already tightly packed. If the bed takes up more than about two-thirds of the drum, it cannot move freely during the cycle, and the wet filling can put extra strain on the machine.
Use these bed styles for the jobs they handle best:
- Removable cover: Frequent cover washing and regular shedding.
- Separate washable liner: Dogs that shed and also bring in moisture, dirt, or mud.
- Fixed-cover bed: Homes willing to vacuum often and wash the full bed in a large machine.
- Foam insert with a cover: Dogs that need a thicker cushion while the outer cover needs frequent cleaning.
- Flat crate pad or mat: Fast laundry, small spaces, crates, mudrooms, and backup bedding during wash day.
More pieces do not automatically make a bed easier to maintain. Separate layers help when they keep the full bed from needing a wash after every muddy day or minor accident. Otherwise, extra liners, bolsters, and decorative panels create more seams where hair can hide.
Fabric Makes a Big Difference
Smooth, tightly woven covers are easier to keep clear of loose fur than deep shag, faux fur, and high-pile fleece. Hair tends to release faster from canvas-like, quilted, or tightly woven fabric.
Plush bedding can be appealing, but it gives shed hair more places to cling. A lint roller can lift the top layer, while hair deeper in the pile often needs brushing and vacuuming. During a spring or fall coat blow, that can turn a simple cleanup into a longer job.
This does not mean every dog needs a flat, firm mat. Dogs that need a thicker or more cushioned surface can still have one. The useful balance is a supportive insert under a washable outer cover rather than a thick fuzzy surface that holds fur throughout the fabric.
Pay attention to the zipper, too. A narrow opening makes it harder to remove a cover from a thick bolster or foam insert. Hair and grit can collect in the zipper track, especially when the zipper sits beneath the sleeping surface. Brush the zipper area before closing the cover after laundry.
A Simple Laundry Routine for Dog Beds
Wash pet bedding separately from clothing, towels, and kitchen linens. Dog hair transfers easily to other fabrics, and a heavily furred cover can leave residue in the washer and dryer.
Use detergent according to the package directions. Adding extra detergent to fight odor can leave residue in the fabric, which can hold onto body oils and make the cover feel stiff after repeated washes.
Follow this wash-day routine:
- Remove dry hair from the cover and bed frame first.
- Close zippers and fasten hook-and-loop tabs so they do not snag fabric.
- Wash using the water temperature and cycle on the care label.
- Run an extra rinse when the cover still feels soapy after washing.
- Dry the cover completely before putting it back on the bed.
- Clean the dryer lint screen before and after each load.
- Wipe out any loose hair left in the washer drum, door gasket, or dryer drum.
If the bed has a waterproof liner, turn it inside out before drying so both sides receive airflow. Give extra attention to seams and folded corners, which can stay damp after the rest of the liner feels dry.
Do not reassemble the bed just because the outer fabric feels dry. Feel the underside, seams, thickest areas of the insert, and corners of the liner. Stop and give the pieces more drying time if any area feels cool or damp.
Cleaning Foam Inserts Without Trapping Moisture
Foam needs more caution than a removable fabric cover. Spot-clean foam unless its care instructions specifically allow machine washing.
Foam that absorbs water slowly can stay damp in the center for a long time. Putting a cover over damp foam traps that moisture inside the bed and can lead to lingering odor.
For a foam insert that needs attention:
- Remove the cover and liner.
- Inspect the top, underside, seams, and corners for visible soil.
- Spot-clean the affected area as directed by the insert’s care instructions.
- Let the insert dry in open air before replacing the cover.
- Reassemble only when the foam is dry throughout.
If an odor returns soon after the cover has been washed, look beyond the cover. The source may be the insert, seams, underside, or an area where moisture collected beneath the bed.
When a Spare Cover or Backup Bed Helps
A second cover is especially useful during shedding season. One cover can be in the wash while the other stays on the bed. That prevents the common shortcut of putting a cover back on before it has fully dried.
A backup mat or crate pad can serve the same purpose. It is useful when the main bed needs a longer wash and dry cycle, when a liner is drying, or when a foam insert needs time to air out.
A basic flat pad makes sense in high-mess areas such as mudrooms, laundry rooms, crates, garages, and spots near exterior doors. Low-profile bedding has fewer deep seams and bulky corners, so it is easier to shake out, vacuum, wash, and dry.
What to Look for Before Buying a Washable Bed
Read the care instructions before choosing a dog bed intended for regular laundry. “Machine washable” can apply only to the cover, while the insert may need spot cleaning or hand washing.
Look for these practical details:
- Whether the cover, liner, and insert can be cleaned separately
- Whether the filling is foam, loose fiberfill, or made with glued layers
- Whether low-heat tumble drying is allowed
- Whether the cover has a full zipper opening
- Whether replacement covers are sold separately
- Whether the bed fits in the washer without packing the drum tightly
A removable cover helps most when it comes off without a struggle and the insert stays protected from odor and soil. A full zipper opening is easier to work with than a small opening that requires wrestling a thick cushion back into place.
Beds That Create More Work During Shedding Season
Skip deep-pile, fixed-cover beds if your dog sheds heavily and you already dislike vacuuming upholstery. The hair-removal work adds up quickly when fur gets buried in plush fabric and packed around thick bolsters.
Bulky decorative bolsters can also be a poor fit for beds kept near doors, beneath kitchen tables, or in favorite shedding spots. More fabric, corners, stitching, and seams means more places for hair, grit, crumbs, and dampness to settle.
For dogs that sleep near exterior doors, in mudrooms, garages, or other high-traffic areas, a simpler flat mat or crate pad is often easier to manage. These locations add leaves, sand, and damp paws to the shedding problem.
Dogs that need a thicker supportive surface do not have to settle for a difficult-to-clean bed. Choose the cushion needed for resting, then favor a removable cover and washable protective layer over extra decorative fluff.
Mistakes That Make Dog-Bed Laundry Harder
Do not wash a bed without removing loose hair first. Water turns loose fur into compacted clumps that stick inside the cover, settle in the washer, and clog the dryer lint screen.
Do not use high heat unless the care label allows it. High heat can affect elastic, waterproof coatings, foam laminations, and covers that may shrink.
Do not put the bed back together while any layer is damp. The seams, underside, folded edges, and thickest parts of the filling often take longer to dry than the surface.
Do not wait for visible dirt before cleaning. During shedding season, hair and skin oils build up before a bed looks dirty, especially on dark fabrics and thick plush surfaces.
Do not ignore the underside of the bed. It can collect fur, dust, moisture, and debris from the floor even when the sleeping surface looks tidy.
Quick Shedding-Season Checklist
- Vacuum seams, bolsters, zipper tracks, and the underside every few days.
- Keep a rubber brush or dedicated hair-removal tool near pet linens.
- Wash the cover every 7 to 14 days.
- Wash heavy-shedder covers every 3 to 7 days.
- Keep a spare cover or backup bed for wash day.
- Wash pet bedding separately from household laundry.
- Clean the dryer lint screen before and after each pet-bed load.
- Dry covers, liners, and inserts fully before reassembly.
- Store spare covers clean and dry.
- Keep the bed away from food-prep areas and high-crumb spots.
- Inspect zippers, seams, and waterproof layers during full cleanings.
Bottom Line
The easiest way to keep a dog bed clean during shedding season is to remove dry hair every few days and wash the removable cover as routine laundry. Smooth fabric, a manageable bed size, and a spare cover or backup mat make the job much simpler than a bulky bed with deep plush layers and fixed upholstery.
FAQ
How often should I wash my dog’s bed during shedding season?
Wash a removable cover every 7 to 14 days for normal shedding. For a heavy shedder, wash it every 3 to 7 days. Clean the insert when it smells, has visible soil, or has been exposed to an accident.
What removes dog hair from a bed before washing?
A vacuum with an upholstery attachment is useful for seams, bolsters, textured fabric, and the underside of the bed. A rubber brush or rubber glove helps loosen embedded hair, and a lint roller works well for the final surface layer.
Can I wash a dog bed with regular laundry?
Wash dog bedding separately from clothes, towels, and kitchen linens. This keeps pet hair off household fabrics and makes it easier to clear the washer and dryer after the load.
How do I get dog hair out of the washer and dryer after washing a bed?
After removing the bed, wipe the washer drum, door gasket, and detergent area with a damp microfiber cloth. Clean the dryer lint screen before and after the cycle, then wipe the dryer drum if loose hair remains.
Can I wash a foam dog-bed insert?
Wash a foam insert only when its care instructions allow machine washing. Spot-cleaning is the safer approach for foam that holds water, since moisture trapped in the center can cause odor and keep the bed out of use longer.