How to Wash Dog Beds Without Clogging Your Washing Machine

Quick Answer

Shake or vacuum the bed thoroughly outside first, then wash at 60°C with a pet-safe detergent and an extra rinse cycle. Use a mesh laundry bag if the cover is shedding, and run an empty hot maintenance wash with an enzyme cleaner afterwards to clear trapped hair. Check and empty the pump filter — pet hair clogs it fast.

Further reading: Which? — washing machine temperature guide · Which? — how to clean a smelly washing machine

Quick Answer: Can You Wash Dog Beds in a Washing Machine?

Yes, most dog beds are machine washable. The problem is what happens to your washing machine afterwards. A single dog bed can shed thousands of hairs during a wash cycle, clogging the filter and coating the drum, seal, and drain paths. The solution is to prepare the bed correctly before washing and run a cleaning cycle immediately after.

Why Dog Beds Are Hard on Washing Machines

Dog beds accumulate hair, dander, oils, and odour over weeks of use. When you put one in the washing machine, the hot water loosens everything that has built up — hair, dead skin cells, natural oils, and bacteria. Most of that material has to go somewhere. Some exits through the drain. The rest coats your machine's internals.

The rubber door seal is particularly vulnerable. Hair collects in the folds and creates a damp, bacteria-friendly environment that leads to musty smells on future loads. The filter traps the larger material and clogs if not cleaned promptly.

How to Prepare a Dog Bed for Washing

Step 1: Remove Loose Hair Before It Goes In

Take the dog bed outside and shake it vigorously. Then use a lint roller, rubber glove, or a stiff brush to remove as much loose fur as possible before loading. This single step reduces the amount of hair entering your machine by 50-70%, dramatically reducing filter clogging and residue.

Step 2: Check the Label

Most dog beds can be washed at 40-60°C. Beds with memory foam or thick inserts may require hand washing or specific temperature limits. Washing at 60°C is recommended for hygiene — it kills bacteria and dust mites that accumulate in bedding.

Step 3: Wash Alone — Not With Other Items

Always wash dog beds separately. Hair from the bed will transfer to everything else in the drum. Wash the bed on its own cycle.

Step 4: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag (Optional)

A large mesh laundry bag captures some of the shed hair before it enters the drum water. This is not essential but helps reduce filter clogging, especially for very hairy dogs.

What to Do After Washing a Dog Bed

Clean the Filter Immediately

After washing a dog bed, check and clean the filter before your next load. Dog beds produce more hair and debris than any other household wash. If you skip this step, the trapped hair sits in stagnant water and creates odours.

Wipe the Door Seal

Pull back the rubber gasket and wipe away any hair or debris caught in the folds. This takes under a minute and prevents the seal from developing mould and odours.

Run a Drum Clean Cycle

After washing dog bedding, run a hot maintenance cycle with a dedicated washing machine cleaner. This removes the pet hair proteins, oils, and bacteria that have transferred from the bed into your machine. Skip this step and the residue builds up — your next wash of normal clothes will pick up the smell.

How Often Should You Wash Dog Beds?

For most households, once a week is the recommended frequency. If your dog has skin conditions, allergies, or sheds heavily, twice a week may be necessary. Beds that are rarely washed accumulate bacteria and become a source of odour that transfers to your dog and your home.

Drying Dog Beds

Air drying is safest for most dog beds. Direct heat can shrink covers, damage foam inserts, and weaken fabric. If you use a tumble dryer, use a low heat setting and check the bed during the cycle. Dryer balls help loosen remaining hair during the drying process.

Signs Your Machine Is Due a Clean After Dog Bed Washes

• Clothes in subsequent washes smell musty
• Pet hair appearing on normal laundry loads
• The drum smells after washing completes
• Water draining slowly after cycles
• Visible hair or residue around the door seal

Related Reading

• How to Remove Pet Hair from Your WM
• How to Get Rid of Dog Smell from Laundry

FAQs

How do I get dog hair out of the washing machine drum?

Run a hot empty cycle with a washing machine cleaner placed directly in the drum. The heat and cleaning agents loosen hair and residue, which exits through the drain. Wipe the door seal afterwards to remove any remaining hair caught in the folds.

Can dog hair block a washing machine?

Yes. Dog hair accumulates in the filter and drain pump. A heavily clogged filter slows drainage and can eventually cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Clean the filter after every dog bed wash as a precaution.

What temperature should I wash a dog bed at?

60°C is recommended for hygiene — it kills bacteria and dust mites. Check the care label first. Most covers are safe at 60°C, but thick inserts or memory foam may have lower temperature limits.

Will dog hair ruin my washing machine?

Hair alone will not permanently damage the machine, but it accelerates filter clogging and residue buildup if not managed. Regular filter cleaning and monthly maintenance cycles prevent long-term problems.

Can I put the whole dog bed in the washing machine or just the cover?

Small beds with a zip-off cover: wash the cover alone and spot-clean the inner. Whole beds only go in if the care label permits and the drum is big enough that the bed can tumble freely — a cramped load doesn't clean properly and strains the bearings. Anything over about 3kg dry weight is usually better hand-washed or taken to a launderette.

What's the best detergent for dog beds?

A non-biological enzyme detergent if the bed is heavily soiled with drool, dirt or urine — the enzymes break down protein residue that plain soap can't. For lightly-soiled maintenance washes, any fragrance-free detergent works. Avoid fabric softeners entirely: they leave a waxy film that traps hair and reduces the bed's absorbency.