Dogs Beds With Non-Removable Covers
Fill up a large basin or bath with enough water to completely submerge your dog's bed. Soak the bed in warm water with a non-toxic detergent for 10-15 minutes. Scrub with baking soda to remove any lingering odors, using a toothbrush to get into the corners.
Submerge the bed in the water and scrub any filthy spots with a washcloth or sponge. You can put bed covers in the dryer if the instructions say it's allowed. If you have to wash the entire bed, you'll want to allow it to air dry. Putting dog beds in the dryer can cause the stuffing to become lumpy and displaced.
Put your dog's bed in direct sunlight once a week to kill bacteria and remove odors. Sprinkle baking soda over the dog bed when it begins to stink, and then vacuum it up. Use a waterproof cover to protect the bedding from stains.
Most removable dog beds covers can be put in the washing machine, but it's best to handwash the bed insert or take it to the laundromat.
Dirty dog beds can cause infection and illness and are especially dangerous to those who are immunocompromised or older people - so make washing your dog bed properly a part of your regular laundry routine.
To ensure that you and your dog stay safe from illness, PetMd recommended that you should wash your pet's bed or blankets at least once every two weeks. However, if your dog is very active and spends a fair amount of time outdoors, then you should bump up those cleanings to once or even twice a week.
Put the washer settings on the gentle cycle and place the bed inside. Make sure you put in pet-safe laundry detergent. Once it's finished, place it out to dry. When fully dry, fluff the stuffing and place it back inside the bed.
You should wash your dog's food bowl after every meal. You can wash their water bowl less frequently, but you will need to completely empty, sanitize and refill it at least once per week. Water bowls tend to collect a slimy build-up called biofilm, which allows harmful bacteria to take over.
Ideally your dog bed should be a machine washable dog bed. Most beds have a cover which is easily washable and then the inner cushion that potentially (depending on size) may be too large for your washing machine. The perfect scenario is that the whole bed can be washed.
If possible, remove the cover from the bed for easier cleaning. If it is not removable, the bed can still be washed. Dog beds filled with polyester fiberfill or shredded foam can be washed in a top-load washer without a center agitator or in a front-load washer. Solid foam beds must be hand-washed.
In fact, giving your dog a bath regularly is a very important part of taking good care of your beloved pet. However, it is also very common for dogs to dislike taking baths. While some dogs show little to no reaction to bathtime, many dogs show signs of fear or dread when it comes time for them to be bathed.
It's also easier to find a good bed to accommodate their size. Dogs tend to trust our judgment, after all, and will often copy our behavior if they deem it reasonable. If all else fails, simply get a new bed. It could be that the bed just isn't comfortable anymore, so replacing it about once a year is reasonable.
A bath every day is not healthy for your dog's skin; it can dry your dog's skin out, causing itchiness and irritation. The best solution is to find alternatives to get the mud and grime off after her daily walk.
Your pooch will hate the smell of mothballs, alcohol, cleaning products and nail polish! However, we do not recommend the use of these as a deterrent, as they are toxic and harmful for your pet. Steer clear of these stinky products when your dog is around!
The Root of the Behavior
Many dogs smell bad all the time but the reason they seem to be so smelly during sleep isn't that they are smelly, but because of one, their proximity to you and two, the absence of other smells. During the day, your dog is up and about and so are you.
Vinegar is effective for neutralizing pet odors in your home. Enzymatic cleaners break down proteins in urine and bodily fluids that cause odors. Invest in a HEPA air filter to keep your indoor environment fresh and reduce allergens. Pay attention to often overlooked spots like under beds, in closets, and on stairs.
To freshen and clean, mix vinegar with water and spray the solution over your dog's bed, or add vinegar to the washing machine when you launder the pet bed, Swayne says. Vinegar can also be used to clean your animal's food and water bowls. “For general cleaning, vinegar is pretty good,” Swayne says.
A Laundry Detergent to Eliminate Pet Odor
Use ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Fresh Burst™ liquid detergent to help keep your dog blankets and bedding clean and fresh. It's specially formulated to help eliminate tough musty and damp odors on towels, clothes and bedding.
While vinegar is useful in dog shampoo for a variety of reasons, take care not to get vinegar in your dog's eyes. Household vinegar, which is mildly acidic, will sting. If your dog is smelly, first apply a paste of baking soda and water and rub it gently all over your dog's coat down to the skin.
This is especially important for older dogs who may have incontinence issues and young pups who are still potty training. Let's face it- you love the feel of freshly washed bedding, and so does your dog. Having a clean spot to sleep is important.