Washable Dog Beds: What Actually Matters Before You Buy
By · Updated November 2, 2026
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
The phrase “machine washable” on a listing can mean at least four different things. The whole bed might go in the drum. Only the cover might. The cover might need cold water and air drying, or it might need a trip to a laundromat because the insert will never fit your machine. Those are very different products, and the listing often uses the same two words for all of them.
That gap is the reason a washable dog bed deserves a closer look than its label suggests. A bed you can clean easily gets cleaned. A bed that is a wrestling match, takes two days to dry, or smells damp afterward ends up in the garage. The checklist below covers what to examine before you buy, and what to do once the bed is in your home.
Quick Answer
A washable dog bed is only as useful as its weakest part. Check whether the whole bed or just the cover can be laundered, whether a liner protects the foam, whether it fits your machine, and how long it takes to dry. Then read the care label before the first wash, not after something shrinks.
What “Washable” Is Actually Promising
Start by working out which of these you are getting:
- Fully machine washable. The entire bed, filling included, can be laundered. This is common with flat, fiber-filled, and small beds.
- Removable washable cover. A zipper or fastening frees the cover. The inner pad or foam is spot-cleaned or wiped.
- Washable cover plus washable liner. A second inner layer, often waterproof, sits between the foam and the cover, so accidents can be wiped from the liner.
- Spot clean only. Sometimes tucked at the end of the description. It means no machine at all.
Look in the product images for the care label, not just the headline text. Many listings show a photo of the tag, which tells you more than the marketing copy.
Zipper Quality and Where the Zipper Sits
The zipper is the most common failure point on a bed designed to be taken apart repeatedly. A thin zipper that jams, splits, or loses its teeth turns a washable bed into a disposable one.
Prefer a long zipper that opens most of the way around, so you can peel the cover off rather than wrestling a large foam block through a small opening. A hidden zipper tucked under a flap or along the bottom is less likely to be chewed or to scratch a floor. A zipper with a protective fabric flap behind it keeps foam crumbs and fabric from catching in the teeth.
If your dog is a digger, a chewer, or a bed shredder, check the zipper pull and teeth. They are small, hard, and edible to the wrong dog. Our guide to dog beds for chewers explains why fasteners are a weak point.
The Liner Question: Protecting What You Cannot Wash
Foam is the expensive part of the bed, and it is also the part that suffers most from accidents. Urine and drool soak in quickly, and once foam is wet through, odor can linger even after the cover is clean.
A waterproof liner keeps liquid from reaching the foam. Look for a liner that wraps the foam on all sides, not just the top, and that is made of a material that can be wiped clean. A liner that is stitched shut with no opening is harder to clean than one that unzips.
Liners add a little crinkle and some warmth. If your dog is sensitive to noise or tends to overheat, test the bed in person or read reviews that mention the sound. For dogs who need the extra protection, a separate waterproof dog blanket or furniture cover is another option over a bed without a built-in liner.
Will It Fit in Your Washing Machine?
Measure your drum or read the capacity listed in your machine’s manual, and compare it with the size of the cover or bed when folded. Rolling a large cover tightly can help, but wet fabric is heavy. An overstuffed machine will not clean well, may not spin properly, and can strain the motor.
Large and extra-large covers often belong in a bigger front-loading machine or a commercial one at a laundromat. If that is your reality, add the cost and effort to the price. A cover that you can only wash by hauling it across town is not washable in a practical sense.
A cover that comes off the insert also widens your options. You can usually manage a bigger bed when only the cover goes in the drum than when the whole thing has to.
Drying Time and the Smell of Damp
Drying is where many washable beds quietly fail. Thick, plush covers and fiber fills hold water for a long time. If they stay damp, they can develop a sour smell.
Check the care label for the dryer setting. Many covers call for low heat or air drying, because high heat can shrink fabric, damage a waterproof backing, and warp zippers. If the label says air dry only, plan for a day or more, and have a second cover or a spare blanket on hand so your dog is not bedless in the meantime.
A spare cover is one of the more useful things you can own. With two, one is always clean and dry while the other is in the wash.
Fabrics That Make Washing Harder
Some fabrics are just more work:
- Long-pile fleece and faux fur trap hair deep in the fibers, and the hair may stay put through a wash, then clog your machine’s filter or drain. If you choose them, shake and brush off hair beforehand. Our guide to removing dog hair from furniture, carpet, and clothes has tools that also work on bed covers.
- Loose weaves and heavily textured fabrics can snag nails and hold dirt in the weave.
- Tightly woven, smooth fabrics let hair brush or shake off and dry faster.
- Quilted stitching can hide moisture inside thick layers, so it needs a longer dry time.
Picture two households. One has a short-haired dog on a smooth, tightly woven cover that gets shaken out and vacuumed weekly. The other has a heavy shedder on a plush, long-pile cover that holds a fine layer of hair in every wash. Same effort, very different results.
Reading the Care Label
The care label is the manufacturer’s instruction, and it takes priority over any general advice, including the advice on this page. Here is what common wordings mean in practice.
| What the label says | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Machine wash cold, gentle cycle | Fabric or backing is sensitive to heat or agitation | Follow the temperature and cycle shown; do not substitute hot water |
| Tumble dry low | Higher heat could shrink the cover or damage the lining | Use low heat, and check it before it is fully dry |
| Air dry or line dry | Heat can harm the backing, elastic, or foam | Hang it or lay it flat; allow generous drying time |
| Do not bleach | Bleach can weaken fibers or waterproof layers | Use pet-safe, color-safe cleaning products instead |
| Wash separately | Dye may run or lint will transfer | Do not mix with other laundry |
| Spot clean only | The product is not designed to be soaked | Wipe with a damp cloth and mild cleaner; air out |
| Remove cover before washing | The insert should never go in the machine | Wash the cover only; treat the insert separately |
If the label is missing or unreadable, assume the gentlest option: cool water, mild detergent, air drying.
How Often to Wash, and What to Do in Between
There is no single schedule that fits every dog. A dog who rolls in grass, swims, or has skin issues will need more frequent washing than one who lives indoors. As a rough rule of thumb, many owners wash covers every week or two and do a deeper clean whenever there is an accident or an odor.
Between washes, shake the cover outdoors, vacuum the surface, and let the bed air out in sunlight if the weather allows. Fragrance-free detergent is a safer starting point for dogs with sensitive skin, and an extra rinse helps remove residue. If the bed has been soiled, an enzymatic product designed for pet accidents breaks down the source of the smell. Our guide to enzymatic cleaners for urine, vomit, and odors explains how to use them without damaging fabric.
If your dog has recurring skin irritation, itching, or a persistent smell, mention it to your veterinarian rather than trying to fix it by washing more often. The ASPCA general dog care guidance and the ASPCA general dog care guidance offer general pet health information to read before you call.
Washable-Bed Mistakes Worth Avoiding
Some patterns come up again and again.
- Assuming the foam can go in the machine. Unless the label explicitly says so, it cannot. Water-logged foam is slow to dry and may break down.
- Skipping the zipper check. A zipper that jams is a washing problem waiting to happen. Test it before you throw away the packaging.
- Using high heat to dry quickly. Heat can shrink covers and damage waterproof layers.
- Overloading the machine. A bed that barely fits comes out poorly cleaned.
- Buying only one cover. When it is in the wash, your dog has no bed.
- Washing the cover and ignoring the insert. If an accident soaked through, the odor lives in the foam, and a clean cover will not fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my dog’s bed in the washing machine?
Only if the care label says so. Many beds are designed so only the cover is washed, and putting the foam insert in the drum can damage it. When in doubt, follow the label or contact the manufacturer.
How often should I wash my dog’s bed?
It depends on your dog. A dog who is outdoors a lot or has accidents needs washing more often, and many owners clean covers every week or two. If you notice odor, visible dirt, or your dog scratching more, wash sooner.
What detergent should I use?
A mild, fragrance-free detergent is a reasonable default, particularly for dogs with sensitive skin. Run an extra rinse cycle to take out any residue. Avoid fabric softener on waterproof or microfiber covers, since it can coat the fibers.
Why does my dog bed still smell after washing?
Odor usually lingers in the foam or liner, which the wash never reached, or in a cover that stayed damp. Dry thoroughly, treat the source with a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner, and consider replacing a bed that smells again right after a clean.
Is a spot-clean-only bed ever a good idea?
It can work for a dog who is clean, mature, and rarely has accidents, or as a bed for a low-use spot. For puppies, seniors, and dogs who swim or roll in mud, a removable cover is far easier to live with.
Can I wash a bed cover with my own laundry?
Many owners prefer to wash pet items separately, mainly because of hair and detergent choice. If you do combine loads, run an empty rinse cycle afterward and clean the filter or drain trap, depending on your machine.
Buy for Laundry Day, Not the Product Photo
Before you buy, picture the day the bed needs washing: unzipping it, carrying it, drying it, and putting it back. If any step looks painful, the bed will probably go unwashed. Choose the one that makes laundry day easy and buy a spare cover, and your dog will have a clean place to sleep more often.