How to Clean a Dog Bed (Cover + Foam) So Smell Doesn’t Come Back

Dog beds are like little “odor sponges.” Your dog sleeps there, drools there, brings outside dust there, and sheds hair there. Even if your house is clean, a dirty dog bed can make the whole room smell doggy.

A lot of people wash only the cover and think, “Done.” Then the smell returns in a day or two. That’s because the inside foam can still hold oils and odor.

Don’t worry, cleaning a dog bed properly is not hard. You just need the right order.

Quick answer (2–4 lines)

Clean the dog bed in this order: remove hair → wash the cover → clean the foam (if needed) → dry fully → protect with a blanket.

If you skip the “remove hair” and “dry fully” steps, the smell often comes back.

First: What kind of dog bed do you have?

This matters because not all beds can be washed the same way.

1) Bed with a removable cover (most common)

Great news, these are the easiest. You can wash the cover and work on the inner cushion separately.

2) One-piece bed (no removable cover)

These are harder, but still cleanable. You usually need spot cleaning + deep drying.

3) Memory foam or thick foam bed

These can hold odor deep inside. You’ll focus on gentle cleaning and full drying so moisture doesn’t stay trapped.

Step-by-step: the best way to clean a dog bed (simple and strong)

Step 1: Remove dog hair first (this makes everything easier)

Before you wash anything, pull off as much hair as possible. Hair can clog washers and also make washing less effective.

Here are easy ways:

• Use a rubber hair tool or a damp glove to gather hair into piles.
• This works because rubber grabs hair and rolls it up, instead of pushing it deeper.
• Vacuum seams and edges slowly.
• Hair hides in the corners and stitching, so slow vacuuming helps remove the “stuck” hair.

Internal link idea: When you mention hair tools, add your link to [CATEGORY_URL] (Couch & Furniture or Heavy Shedding tools, whichever fits best).

Step 2: Wash the cover the smart way

If your bed has a removable cover, unzip it and shake it outside first.

Now wash it like this:

• Use a normal detergent and a gentle cycle if the fabric is delicate.
• Gentle washing protects the fabric and keeps it from shrinking or tearing.
• Don’t overload the washer with other items.
• The cover needs space to move, or oils and hair won’t rinse out well.
• If the cover is extra hairy, do a quick dryer “air fluff” for 5–10 minutes first (optional).
• This can loosen hair and move some of it into the lint trap, so less hair enters the washer.

After washing, dry it fully. A cover that is slightly damp can keep the smell alive.

Laundry link idea: If you sell laundry helpers, mention them naturally here and link to [CATEGORY_URL] (Laundry Hair Removal).

Step 3: Clean the foam (the step most people skip)

If the smell keeps coming back, the foam is usually the reason.

How to clean it depends on how dirty it is:

If the foam doesn’t smell too bad

You can do a light clean:

• Vacuum the foam on both sides to remove hair and dust.
• Vacuuming pulls out tiny bits that hold odor, especially near edges.
• Lightly wipe spots with a damp cloth (not soaking).
• Too much water can get trapped inside the foam, which can create a worse smell later.

If the foam smells strong (oil + dog smell)

Do a deeper clean:

• Spot-clean the smelly areas with a fabric-safe cleaner.
• Focus on the exact spots that smell, so you don’t soak the whole foam.
• Press with a towel to lift moisture out.
• Pressing (not rubbing) helps pull dirty moisture out of the foam.
• Repeat once if needed, then move to drying.

Important: Avoid soaking foam in a bathtub unless the brand instructions say it’s okay. Wet foam can take forever to dry, and trapped moisture can make the odor worse.

Step 4: Dry everything fully (this is the “odor off” step)

Drying is not a boring extra step; it’s the step that stops smell from coming back.

Here’s how to dry properly:

• Air-dry in a place with airflow (near a fan or open window).
• Airflow helps moisture leave the foam faster.
• Flip the foam a few times while it dries.
• Flipping helps the inside dry evenly, not just the top.
• Make sure it feels dry deep inside, not just on the surface.
• Thick foam can feel dry on top while still damp in the middle.

If the bed goes back to your dog while damp, the smell can return fast.

Step 5: Add a simple “bed protector” routine (so you clean less)

Once the bed is clean, make it stay clean longer.

A very easy trick:

• Put a washable throw blanket on top of the bed.
• The blanket catches hair and drool first, so you wash the blanket often and wash the whole bed less.

If your dog sheds a lot, this trick saves so much time.

How often should you clean a dog bed? (simple schedule)

This depends on your dog, but here’s an easy plan that fits most homes.

• Wash the cover every 1–2 weeks if your dog uses the bed daily.
• Regular washing stops oils from building up into a strong smell.
• Deep clean foam once a month (or when the smell returns).
• Foam holds odor longer, so it needs a deeper clean sometimes.
• Clean immediately if the bed gets wet, muddy, or has an accident.
• Fast cleaning prevents stains and helps stop bacterial smells.

Common mistakes (that make the dog bed stink again)

These mistakes are super normal, so don’t feel bad if you’ve done them.

• Washing only the cover and ignoring the inside foam.
• The foam can still hold oils and odor, so the smell returns even with a clean cover.
• Putting the cover back on while it’s still damp.
• Damp fabric holds odor and can start smelling again quickly.
• Not removing hair before washing.
• Hair can clump, stick, and reduce how well the detergent cleans the fabric.
• Using too much strong perfume spray.
• Spray can mask odor for a moment, but it doesn’t remove the cause, and mixed smells can be worse.

Product help (short + honest): what tools make this easier

You don’t need a million products. You need a few helpful ones:

A good hair remover tool helps you lift hair from seams and corners before washing. This is important because seams hold hair like little pockets. Laundry helpers can reduce leftover hair on covers and blankets over time, especially if you pre-remove hair first. And for heavy shedders, having one “quick tool” near the bed makes cleanup easy enough to actually do.

• How do you clean a dog bed that smells?

  Remove hair first, wash the cover, then clean the foam or inner cushion if the smell keeps returning. Dry everything fully before putting it back together, because damp foam can hold odor.

• Can I put a dog bed in the washing machine?

  Some beds with removable covers are washer-safe, but thick foam inserts often are not. It’s safer to wash the cover and spot-clean the foam unless the brand instructions say the whole bed is washable.

• How do I get dog hair out of a dog bed?

  Use a rubber hair tool or a lightly damp glove to gather hair into piles, then vacuum seams and corners slowly. Removing hair first makes washing work much better.

• How often should you wash a dog bed?

  For most dogs, washing the cover every 1–2 weeks helps prevent odor buildup. Deep cleaning the foam is useful when the smell returns, or about once a month for heavy shedders.

• Why does my dog bed still smell after washing?

  Usually the foam inside still holds oils and odor, or the bed wasn’t dried fully. Cleaning the foam and making sure everything is completely dry usually solves it