How to Wash a Dog Bed with Urine in It (6 Simple Steps)
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Most dogs love cozy beds of their own, and who could blame them? However, all pet owners know accidents happen. If your pup had an accident on their favorite snoozing spot, don’t fret. These situations might be a pain, but they can quickly and easily be cleaned up.
So, if you’re looking for a fast solution, let’s get right to it!
Make Sure to Read Care Instructions
No bed is created equal in the world of dogs. There are just as many fabrics and washing instructions as for human items. So, before following any of our given instructions, read any applicable care labels on your dog’s bed.
The 6 Steps to Washing a Dog Bed with Urine in It
Remember that these are just general guidelines. We urge you to read the care instructions on your dog’s bed before applying any mixture or tossing it in the wash.
Having made that clear, here is how to get the urine out of your pet’s bed. We are using a natural method, so no chemicals are needed!
1. Soak Up Residual Urine
If the urine is fresh or still damp, take a towel or disposable cloth and soak up as much of the pee as you can. The quicker you remove it from the bedding, the less it will soak further into the fabric’s fibers.
Once you have soaked up as much urine as you can, it’s time to move on to step two.
2. Remove Cover, if Applicable
If your dog bed has a removable cover, take it apart. If both items can be washed in the washing machine, they can be washed together later.
3. Saturate the Urine Spots in White Vinegar
White vinegar is a readily available versatile item with serious cleaning power—and it’s probably something you have right in your cabinet.
Take one cup of vinegar and one cup of water. Generously apply equal parts vinegar and water to the urine spots. Let the vinegar sit on the spot for roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Soak the Fabric
Next, in a tub of warm soapy water, soak the urine-soaked bed and cover for about 30 minutes. We recommend using Dawn dish soap or a brand of equal potency.
Simply run some hot water and add a few squirts of dish soap. Submerge the fabric into the water, then give it time to soak.
5. Wash Thoroughly
If your cushion is not machine washable, but the cover is, you can allow it to hang dry. If the bedding will lose shape, make sure to lay it out as needed to retain the original form.
Machine Washable Beds
If your dog’s bed is machine washable, it will be pretty simple. You can simply toss it in with a color-safe detergent of your choice. If you want to remove smells and stains associated with urine, you can add a natural neutralizer like baking soda.
Hand Washing Beds
Some fabrics for dog beds shouldn’t be machine-washed. The care instructions should tell you how to wash and dry the bed. If you need to hand wash, you can run some new water into a tub or sink. For a refresher, you can add baking soda to the mix.
Vigorously scrub the fabric by rubbing it together in your hands while submerged. Wash for at least ten minutes.
6. Air Dry or Tumble as Directed
Now, onto the drying part. Depending on whether your dog bed is dryer-compatible, you can toss it in for a spin. Alternatively, you can hang it out to dry. If you have a bed that needs to retain its shape, remember to read the drying instructions just as thoroughly to maintain the integrity of the fabric.
Preventing Urinating on Dog Beds
The best way to solve the issue of urine on dog beds is to make sure they never happen to begin with, right? You can’t foresee everything, but you can take some preventative measures to protect the bed.
Puppies
If you have a new learner, getting them on the right path might be a little complicated. But once they catch on to house training, puppy training challenges will soon be a memory. Using puppy pads might seem like a good idea, but it can backfire quite easily. If your pup is learning to go outside but can go inside, what they can and can’t pee on can get muddy.
Instead, try to allow them to use their bed under supervision. If they get up and start sniffing around, you will be right there to guide them outside.
If you plan on leaving the room, remove the bed to protect the fabric.
Seniors/Health Issues
If your dog is advancing in age and finding it difficult between bathroom trips outside, you might need a more permanent method of prevention.
In fact, Chewy has tons of options to choose from. You can find dog bed covers or use absorbent mats on top of the bed. These reusable pads will take the brunt of accidents and they are durable enough to last through many washes.
Conclusion
You don’t have to buy a new dog bed every time an oops happens. You can remove urine from the dog bed with just a few short steps—good as new. It might be a hassle, but it isn’t the end of the world.
To prevent accidents in the future, put together a solution that works for your home. After all, dog beds are expensive, so it’s better to preserve than replace.
Related Reads:
- How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Wood Floors (Quick & Easy)
- How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell in the House (5 Potential Methods)
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
