How to Clean Cedar Dog Beds

Every dog needs a nice bed of its own.

Cedar dog beds are effective for controlling odors and may even help to control fleas. They are also one of the less expensive styles of dog beds. The main drawback with cedar beds is that they are not designed for easy cleaning, and after a while the cedar shavings inside lose their scent and compress so the bed is not as comfortable. Some cedar beds have a removable outer cover for washing. Those are a bit more expensive and harder to find, but you can easily clean a cedar dog bed that was not made for easy cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Large bag cedar shavings
• Dust mask
• Latex or vinyl gloves
• Seam ripper
• Waterproof pillow case, large sheet of plastic, or plastic garbage bags
• Nontoxic permanent glue for plastics (optional for very large dogs)
• Hook-and-loop closure strips
• Velcro Fabric Fusion Heat-Activated Adhesive or similar product
• Scissors (optional)
• Fabric (optional)
• Nontoxic washable fabric glue (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   The seam ripper is third from the top on the right side.

   Open one end or one side of the bed cover withe the seam ripper to if the bed wasn't made with a removable cover. Scissors or a razor blade will work to open the seam but sometimes damage the fabric. Seam rippers are inexpensive and easily open the seam without damaging the fabric. If there is an inner cover, open the side of that cover, too.

2. Pour the old cedar shavings carefully into a large trash bag for disposal.

3. 

   Handle cedar shavings carefully; use mask and gloves.

   Fill the waterproof pillow case with the new cedar shavings until the thickness is appropriate for the size of your dog. The pillow case can be standard or king size, depending on the size of your dog. If your dog is too big for any pillow case, use plastic sheeting by gluing the sides and one end together, then pouring in the cedar.

4. Wash the cover in the machine with your usual detergent and warm water. Dry in the dryer on low to medium heat.

5. 

   This is a hook-and-loop fastener strip.

   Attach a strip of hook-and-loop fasteners to one side of the open end of the cover using the fabric fusion heat-activated adhesive. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Attach the opposing strip of hook-and-loop to the opposite side of the cover's open end in the same way.

6. Put the cover on the bed and press the hook-and-loop strips together. Now your dog's cedar bed will be easy to clean in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Researchers have mixed opinions about the safety of cedar and pine shavings. The shavings are toxic to small animals who live in the bedding, such as pet mice or rabbits. For use in a dog bed with two covers, the shavings are probably safe. However, if you have a young puppy or an adult dog that chews on bedding, it is wise to forgo the cedar shavings.

• Wear the dust mask and gloves when you are handling the shavings; wash thoroughly and change clothes when finished.

• The waterproof pillowcase will diminish the aroma of the cedar shavings, but will protect the shavings from wetness so they will last longer. If you prefer to smell the cedar aroma, either add drops of cedar oil every week on the outside of the covers, or use a mesh laundry bag to contain the cedar shavings instead of a waterproof pillowcase.

• You can sew everything instead of using the glues.

• Be sure to use the right glue for each product. Many adhesives for hook-and-loop, such as those that come already on the back of the strips, will fall apart in the washer.

• If the cover is damaged when you rip the seam, or if you overfilled the shavings to make a more comfy bed, you can make a new cover. Cut the fabric to the size of the pillowcase, with 3 or more extra inches on all four sides. Use the washable fabric glue to close up three sides, then add the hook-and-loop strips to the end.

References

• Juniper.OregonState: Toxicity Studies
• Bio.Davidson: Introduction