It’s almost certain that your pooch will have an accident on its bed at some point in time. You will need to know how to remove pee from the dog bed if your pet is ill, becomes old, or has consumed too much water. The good news is that it is not nearly as challenging as you might possibly imagine!
So, let’s discuss how to wash dog beds with urine properly.
What do You need?
There are a few items that you need to wash dog beds with urine properly. Most of these items are common items that every dog owner almost has in their inventory.
Here’s what you must have:
- Pet stain remover/vinegar: Buy any good quality fragrant pet stain remover or use white vinegar.
- Paper towels: Paper towels can be helpful in cleaning up hairballs and some other filthy stuff.
- Soap/detergent plus old toothbrush: To remove and rub the stain.
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional): To remove the very hard/old stains.
- A vacuum cleaner: To remove pet hair and grime, it is preferable to use portable vac that is good at sucking up any matted mess.
- A pet hair remover: When it comes to cleaning, a pet’s hair remover is more convenient than using a vacuum cleaner since it is easier to handle.
- Washing machine: If you have a washing machine and your bedding is small enough to fit inside, you may save the hassle of cleaning it by hand and instead putting it into the machine to be washed.
Steps to Wash a Dog Bed With Urine in It
Keep in mind that these are only some basic recommendations. Before applying any combination or washing your dog’s bed, we strongly recommend reading the instructions carefully printed on the bed.
Now that that’s out of the way let’s talk about how to clean the urine out of your dog’s bed.
- Soak up the urine stains
Take a towel or a piece of disposable cloth and try to soak up as much urine as possible if it is recent or is still moist. The sooner you wipe it from the dog bed, the less likely it is that it will sink any deeper into the threads of the fabric.
After you have soaked up the maximum amount of urine that you are able to, it is time to go on to the next step.
- Take off the dog bed cover, if it is necessary
The majority of dog beds that are considered to be of superior quality include an outer cover that can be removed and then washed in a machine. The urine smell, as well as the stains, may be removed from this cover by washing it.
- Apply vinegar or a stain remover on stains
Apply stain remover or vinegar on stains. Do not dilute it with water; the stain and its stench can be eliminated using vinegar or any good-quality stain remover. Keep the vinegar or stain remover on for 15-20 minutes, then clean it.
- Soak the Fabric
After that, place the urine-saturated mattress and cover in a tub of warm, soapy water and soak it for approximately half an hour. We advise using Dawn dish soap or another brand with an equally powerful cleaning agent.
Start by running some hot water and then adding a few squirts of dish soap to the mixture.
- Perform a thorough cleaning
If the cover of your cushion is machine washable, but the cushion itself is not, you can let the cover air dry by hanging it. If the bedding is likely to get deformed, you should be sure to lay it out in the required manner so that it maintains its original form.
- Machine Washable Dog Beds
It will be easier to throw your dog’s bed into the washing machine to clean it. You may just throw it in the washing machine along with your preferred color-safe detergent. Adding a natural neutralizer such as baking soda is a good idea if you want to eliminate the odors and stains linked with accidents.
- Hand Washing Dog Beds
Certain dog bed materials should never be put through a washing machine. The washing and drying procedures must be outlined in the care instructions for the bed.
If you need to wash the dog bed manually, you can fill a basin or bathtub with fresh water and wash it by hand.
Scrub the fabric well by rubbing it between your hands while still submerged in the liquid. At the very least, wash for 10 minutes.
- Allow airing dry
At this stage, the dog bed is most likely still wet with moisture. You may remove any remaining odor by hanging it out in the sun to dry, or you can use a dryer (if allowed in the instructions). Any smell that may have been left behind after this will be eliminated.
How to Keep Your Pet’s Bed Clean?
Washing your dog’s bed regularly is one of the simplest methods to keep it clean and hygienic for your pet. It is recommended that dog beds be washed each week, or at the very least, once every two weeks, to ensure that your pet continues to enjoy the highest possible level of health and safety.
Between washes, here are some more things you can do to maintain the cleanliness of your dog’s bed:
- Regularly vacuum the bed that your pet sleeps in.
- Put the bed where it will receive direct sunlight to prevent the spread of germs.
- In order to prevent fleas from infesting the bed, wash it with a solution consisting of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar.
- After coming in from the outside, you should clean your dog’s paws.
- Invest in a watertight dog bed cover.
If you follow these instructions, you will be able to assist in maintaining a clean dog bed for your pet and a safer environment in your house.
Which detergent is the most effective for washing dog bedding?
This question cannot be answered conclusively since individuals have varying preferences about the kind of detergents they use. Some people suggest using a detergent that is designed specifically for cleaning up after pets, while others believe that any mild soap/detergent solution will do the trick. It is critical to ensure that the bedding is thoroughly rinsed after being washed since any leftovers from the detergent may cause your pet to have skin irritation or allergies.
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How Frequently Should You Buy a New Bed for Your Dog?
Replacement of the bed is recommended by the manufacturers of most dog beds every one to three years, depending on the kind of material and how frequently it is used.
Final Verdict
The cleanliness and hygiene of your dog’s bed are crucial to their health and happiness as they age. Always check to be sure that the soaps, detergents, and stain removers you use are suitable for your canine companion.
If your dog has an accident, the extent of the mess that is spread will be reduced significantly if you use a waterproof cover/liner. And last, before you allow your dog to use the bed again, ensure you always give it adequate time to dry out completely.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) at Nation Taiwan University,Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology