How to Clean Foam Dog Beds

If your bed doesn't come with washing instructions, use these!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dishwashing wand
• Standard clothes dryer
• Wash Basin
• Liquid Clothing Detergent
• Febreze or pet-odor remover spray

1. 
    

   Remove the foam innards from the outer covering- usually by unzipping.

2. Unless instructions tell you not to, wash & dry the cloth covering with a load of laundry (preferrably towels). Feel free to use a pre-wash stain remover if relevant.

3. 
    

   To Clean the foam- create a cleaning solution, fill a wash basin (like what you'd bathe a dog in) with warm water and enough liquid detergent to make the water sudsy.

4. 
    

   Place the foam into the wash basin and cleaning solution. Scrunch and release the foam multiple times. This should release the air in the foam and soak the foam in the cleaning solution.

5. If there are stained spots on the foam, use a standard dishwashing wand to scrub the surface, avoiding tearing the foam.

6. Take the foam out of the solution and rinse in a sink with warm water.

7. Ring out as much water from the foam as possible (like a sponge).

8. Place the damp foam into a standard clothes dryer on low heat for 10-15 minutes or until dry to the touch.

9. Place the dried foam back into the cleaned and dried cloth cover.

10. 
     

    If needed, spray the cleaned bed with a pet-safe freshener like Febreze.

Tips & Warnings

• Feel free to use a spot-remover or pre-wash to the cover for the bed before you place it in the wash!
• Some people don't recommend using Febreze on anything for pets. Here's the official statement from NAPCC: "Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center are conducting an on-going investigation into claims that use of Febreze in the home caused the death of several pets. All information reviewed to date suggests that there is no evidence that Febreze represents any risk to pets when used according to label instructions. Presently, the Center considers the product safe to use in households with pets. Please call 1-800-345-4735 if you have any questions or have a pet that you suspect is experiencing problems, or visit us at www.napcc.aspca.org."

[sdegroff]

on 1/13/2009 I just got a foam bed for my cat, and I'll need to clean it soon. Thanks for the info.

[Devero]

on 1/1/2009 Thank you for the tips to clean a dog bed.

[argyle]

on 12/27/2008 Thanks for the article, and welcome to eHow!