Doing a Routine Wash
Remove bedding. Remove the blankets or dog bed cover from your dog's sleeping spot. Note whether the bedding smells bad enough to warrant a more intense cleaning. Place items in the washing machine. If you notice stains on the bedding, treat them with a stain remover prior to washing.
Pick settings for the washing machine. Look for any care labels on the dog's bedding that might offer specific cleaning instructions. If no special directions are listed, choose a hot water wash cycle. Add a mild detergent, in the normal quantity recommended for a single load.
Add vinegar. Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of white vinegar to the softener dispenser of the machine. Start the wash cycle. If your machine does not have a softener dispenser, run the machine as usual and add the vinegar at the beginning of the final rinse cycle. If the smell on your dog's bedding is especially strong, add a full cup of vinegar to the final rinse cycle.
Dry the bedding. If possible, hang your dog's bedding on a clothesline to dry - the outdoor air will help with neutralizing odors and freshen the bedding. If line drying is not an option, air dry the items indoors or use the clothes dryer. If you choose the latter option, be sure to clean out the lint trap carefully afterwards to remove all pet hair. Avoid using dryer sheets, which may irritate your dog's skin.
Clean the machine. After washing your dog's bedding in the washing machine, clean the machine to remove any lingering odors or pet hair. Add a 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach. Run a full hot water wash cycle.
Cleaning a Foam Dog Bed or Insert
Fill the tub. If your dog's bed does not have removable bedding, you will have to soak the entire bed (or cushion insert) to clean it. Fill the bathtub full of warm water. Add a capful of laundry detergent and a 1/4 cup (60 ml) of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. To remove very strong odor, add a 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Submerge the bed. Put your dog's foam bed (or the foam cushion insert of the bed) into the bathtub. Make sure it is completely submerged. Soak the bed for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse the bed. Drain the bath completely. Rinse the dog bed or cushion under warm water. Squeeze the bed until all the soap is rinsed out.
Dry the bed. Remove the bed or cushion insert from the tub. If weather permits, place the bed outside to dry. If not, place near a heater to dry indoors.
Keeping Bedding Fresh
Wash bedding regularly. To keep your dog's bedding fresh, wash it every week, or every two weeks at most. Purchase a mild detergent without dyes or perfumes, which can cause skin irritation for your pet. Ideally, look for a specialty pet detergent online.
Bathe your dog regularly. The best way to keep your dog's bedding clean is to keep your dog clean. Bathe your dog occasionally; in the interim, you can use baby wipes to wipe your dog's coat and freshen its fur. In addition, brush your dog regularly to remove dirt, debris, and allergens that contribute to odor. Don’t bathe your dog too often as this disrupts the pH level of its skin. This is why pet wipes are a good alternative – they do not alter the pH levels of canine skin. Weekly bathing is only recommended for cases of severe dermatitis.
Use a vinegar-based deodorizing spray. Fill a spray bottle with an equal mixture of water and white vinegar. Spray your dog's bedding on a daily basis to keep it smelling fresh. Avoid spraying before your dog's usual bedtime or nap times so the bedding has adequate time to dry.
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