How to Wash a Dog Bed in Australia
Knowing how to wash a dog bed in Australia properly makes a bigger difference than most pet owners expect. Dog beds accumulate hair, dirt, bacteria, and odour quickly — and in Australia's warmer climate, that buildup happens faster than in cooler regions. Regular washing keeps the sleeping environment hygienic, reduces smell around the home, and keeps your dog more comfortable over time.
This guide covers how to wash a dog bed in Australia step by step, how often to do it, and the most common mistakes that make the job harder than it needs to be.
Why Regularly Washing Your Dog's Bed Matters
Dog beds are in direct, prolonged contact with your dog's skin and coat every day. Over time they accumulate shed hair, skin cells, dirt tracked in from outside, saliva, and the natural oils from your dog's coat. Left unwashed, this buildup creates an environment where bacteria and odour-causing organisms thrive.
Beyond hygiene, a dirty bed can contribute to skin irritation for dogs with sensitive skin — particularly those prone to itching or reactivity. A clean, fresh bed supports your dog's comfort and reduces the chance of the sleeping environment becoming a source of irritation rather than rest.
If you're also due for a bed replacement, our dog beds collection has options suited to different breeds and sleeping styles.
How Often Should You Wash a Dog Bed in Australia
For most dogs, washing the bed every one to two weeks is a practical baseline. A few factors push that frequency up:
Heavy shedders leave significantly more hair and dander in their bedding and benefit from weekly washing during peak shedding seasons — late spring and early autumn in Australia.
Dogs that spend time outdoors track in more dirt, moisture, and bacteria and generally need more frequent washing than dogs that stay primarily indoors.
Dogs with skin sensitivity benefit from more frequent washing to reduce the buildup of irritants in their sleeping environment.
Smell is a reliable indicator — if the bed has a noticeable odour between washes, the interval needs to shorten.
As a general rule: if you wouldn't sleep on it, it's time to wash it.
How to Wash a Dog Bed Step by Step
Following the right steps when you wash a dog bed in Australia ensures the bed comes out clean, fresh, and safe for your dog to use.
Remove Loose Hair First
Before washing, remove as much loose hair from the bed as possible. Hair that goes into the washing machine can clog the drum filter and reduce washing effectiveness. Shake the bed outside, then use a lint roller, rubber glove, or stiff brush to remove remaining hair from the surface and seams. A few minutes spent on this step makes the wash significantly more effective.
Check the Care Label
Most dog beds have a care label indicating whether the cover is machine washable, whether the insert needs to be washed separately, and what temperature is recommended. Check this before washing — high heat can shrink covers or damage foam inserts. If there's no label and you're unsure, a cool to warm gentle cycle is the safest default.
Machine Wash vs Hand Wash
Machine washing suits most fabric dog bed covers and smaller beds that fit comfortably in a standard machine. Use a pet-safe, fragrance-free detergent — standard detergents with strong fragrances can leave residue that irritates sensitive skin. Run a full cycle on a warm setting (not hot) and add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is removed.
Hand washing is better suited to beds that are too large for a standard machine, beds with delicate covers, or foam inserts that shouldn't be machine washed. Use warm water and a small amount of pet-safe detergent, work it through thoroughly, and rinse until the water runs completely clear.
For foam inserts, avoid soaking — press water through gently and squeeze rather than wringing, which can damage the foam structure.
Drying Properly
Drying is the step most people rush — and inadequate drying is the primary cause of mildew smell in dog bedding. Ensure the bed is completely dry before returning it to your dog.
In Australian conditions, air drying in direct sunlight is the most effective method. Sunlight naturally kills bacteria and helps eliminate odour. Allow at least several hours and check that the inside of the bed — particularly around any foam insert — is fully dry before use.
If using a dryer, use a low heat setting. High heat can shrink fabric covers and degrade foam. Tumble on low until completely dry — don't leave damp in the machine.
How to Remove Dog Hair Before Washing
Getting hair off a dog bed before washing is easier with the right approach. A few methods that work well:
A rubber grooming glove or rubber brush used in firm circular motions pulls hair from fabric surfaces effectively and is reusable. This is the most practical tool for regular pre-wash hair removal.
A lint roller works well on smoother fabric surfaces but goes through a lot of sheets on heavily-shedded beds — better suited to light maintenance between washes than full pre-wash removal.
Dampened rubber gloves — running damp rubber dishwashing gloves across the surface creates static that lifts embedded hair from fabric quickly and cheaply.
If your dog is a heavy shedder, a quick brush-out before they use a freshly washed bed reduces how quickly hair builds up again. Our guide to dog grooming tools covers what works best for different coat types if you're looking to reduce shedding at the source.
How to Remove Odours When Washing a Dog Bed
Odour is one of the most common reasons Australian dog owners look at how to wash a dog bed in Australia more thoroughly. Washing alone may not be enough for beds that haven't been cleaned frequently or that have absorbed significant moisture over time.
Bicarbonate of soda is the most effective natural odour treatment for dog bedding. Sprinkle generously over the dry bed, leave for 15 to 30 minutes, then shake or vacuum off before washing. It neutralises odour rather than masking it.
White vinegar added to the wash cycle — roughly half a cup — helps break down odour-causing bacteria and works well alongside a pet-safe detergent. Don't mix with bleach.
Complete drying in sunlight is as important as the wash itself for odour removal. UV exposure kills bacteria that cause smell. A bed washed thoroughly but dried indoors in poor airflow will often retain odour — the drying environment matters as much as the washing method.
Avoid using strongly fragranced fabric softeners or sprays to mask odour — these can irritate sensitive skin and don't address the underlying cause.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Washing too infrequently. Monthly washing might feel sufficient but for most dogs — particularly heavier shedders or those spending time outdoors — it allows significant bacterial and odour buildup between washes. Fortnightly at minimum, weekly for heavy shedders.
Skipping the pre-wash hair removal step. Hair that goes into the machine reduces wash effectiveness and can clog your machine's filter over time. Two minutes spent removing hair before washing improves results significantly.
Using the wrong detergent. Standard laundry detergents with strong fragrances and optical brighteners can leave residue that irritates sensitive skin. A fragrance-free, pet-safe detergent is worth the switch.
Inadequate drying. A damp bed returned to use quickly becomes a mildew and odour problem. Complete drying — in sunlight where possible — is not optional. If the inside of the bed still feels cool or slightly damp, it needs more time.
Washing the cover but not the insert. Many dog beds have a removable cover over a foam or fibre insert. Washing only the cover while the insert accumulates bacteria and odour defeats much of the purpose. Check whether the insert can be washed and include it in the routine where possible.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to wash a dog bed in Australia properly is one of the simplest ways to maintain a healthy, comfortable environment for your dog. Consistent washing every one to two weeks, proper hair removal beforehand, the right detergent, and complete drying in sunlight covers most of what matters.
A clean bed means a more comfortable dog, less odour around the home, and a reduced chance of the sleeping environment contributing to skin irritation. Build it into a fortnightly routine and it becomes a straightforward habit rather than an occasional chore.