Dogs love to snuggle on their beds; it gives them a warm and cozy sleep. Unfortunately, dog beds can collect fur, dirt, pollen, and even disease-causing organisms that can infect them or us. Sometimes, these things may not be visible on the dog bedding, but you can quickly notice if the dog bed smells. If you notice a smelly dog bed, it is time to wash them.
Only a few laundry Lincoln Square offers wash and dry services for dog or pet laundry. You are lucky if you have one near you. However, if there is not one around, this guide offers suggestions on how you can wash a smelly dog bed.
Remove Fur
Removing fur from the dog bedding is a must. Do this before sending them to laundry pickup and delivery or washing the bedding. Owning a cleanable dog bed makes this process a lot easier. Skipping this step results in clumping dog hair, which makes washing the bed difficult and may clog your machine.
Vacuum the surfaces of the bed. Do not forget to include the crevices, buttons, and tuft; these are the areas that have fur. If you do not have a vacuum, you can use a lint roller or masking tape to remove the fur. Shake the bed outside to remove any dust or grime.
Pretreat Stains
Like your clothes, pretreating any stains on the dog bedding is a helpful step to remove them efficiently. Make sure that you are buying a non-toxic and pet-safe stain remover. It should not contain chlorine or bleach in its ingredient list. If you cannot find any pet-safe stain remover, there are at-home alternatives that you can use.
If you are dealing with poop or mud, immediately pick it up. Run cold water on the area and blot it with a soft-bristled brush. The stain will break off loose. Sprinkle baking soda to remove the odor.
Meanwhile, for urine, sprinkle baking soda generously onto the stained area and let it sit for 5 minutes. Soak the bedding in cold water and add baking soda and 2 cups vinegar. Remove the bedding and blot the stain with a soft-bristled brush.
Repeat the step until the stain is not visible.
Handwash Bed
Remove the fur and pretreat stains before washing the bed, or else this step may only make cleaning a struggle. You would not want to deal with wet and glued furs on the bed. Check the wash label instructions on the bed tag
Fill a container with warm water, and mix gentle laundry detergent and a cup of vinegar in the container. Squeeze and knead the dog bedding repeatedly until there is no visible dirt that comes out of the bed. Rinse the bed and lay it on a flat surface. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda and leave it for a few hours to remove odors.
Cleaning dog bedding is a simple task that you only have to do once every two weeks or until there is visible dirt and it becomes smelly. If you suspect an infestation, it is time to dispose of the bedding and buy a new one.
