Will a washable pet bed fit your laundry routine?
Before you buy a cat or dog bed, check which parts go in the wash, how they dry and whether the load fits your machine.
Find out which part goes in the washer
Open the care instructions for the exact bed and size you’re considering. Look up the cover, the cushion inside it and any separate pad. Write down which parts can go in the washer, which need hand washing and which can only be cleaned where they’re dirty.
L.L.Bean lists different rules for two parts of its Premium Fleece Rectangular Dog Bed with Supportive Insert. The cover can go in the washer and dryer. The insert can only be spot cleaned. For the Self-Warming Nuzzle Nest, K&H says the whole bed can go in a cold, gentle wash and then dry on a line or in a dryer with no heat. Those instructions apply to those models.
Check your washer and drying space
Check the bed’s care directions alongside your washer’s manual. Look for the allowed load size and any limits on bulky items. Whirlpool’s guidance on bulky loads stresses checking washer capacity. A bed that fits through the door still needs to fit within the load limits for your machine.
Next, picture where the wet piece will go. If it needs to hang dry, check whether you have room on your rack or line. If the bed needs a no-heat dryer cycle, check whether your machine offers one. When you wash it for the first time, note how long it takes to dry in your home so you can plan the next wash.
Picture the next time it gets dirty
Think about which part you expect to wash most. If muddy paws tend to leave marks on top, see how the cover comes off and what you’ll need to put it back on. If you expect to wash the cushion often, make sure the instructions allow the kind of wash you can do at home.
For a bed your pet uses every day, decide where they can nap while it dries. A spare cover may be handy if only the cover needs washing. Check that any spare is sold for the exact model and size.
Save the care details before you buy
Take a screenshot or make a short note so you can compare beds later. Keep these details together:
- Which parts come out and which can go in the washer.
- The water temperature, cycle and drying method for each washable part.
- The load limits of your machine and the space you have to dry the piece.
- Where your pet can rest while the bed is in the wash.