Care guide
How to Wash a Dog Bed: Cover, Insert and Filling, Step by Step
Both our beds have zip-off covers, so most of wash day is one zip. Here is how to wash the cover, what to do with the filling, and how to get everything dry.
Vacuum off the hair, unzip the cover and close the zip again. Wash the cover on its own on a gentle cycle with a mild, fragrance-free detergent; the care label gives the programme. The filling stays out of the machine: spot clean it and let it air out. Dry the cover flat or on a line, then slide the filling back in and fluff it. Repeat whenever the bed needs it.
How to wash a dog bed, step by step
You need: a vacuum, a rubber glove, a mild fragrance-free detergent, an enzyme cleaner, baking soda and room to dry things.
- Read the label. It gives the programme and how to dry, for our beds and any other.
- Remove the hair. Vacuum the whole bed, then go over it with a damp rubber glove.
- Pre-treat stains. Put an enzyme cleaner on urine, vomit or drool before the wash: hot water alone can set these stains.
- Unzip the cover. Take out the filling (on the Nest Bed, the cushion and every side have their own cover), then close each zip again.
- Wash the cover on its own. Gentle cycle, mild fragrance-free detergent. Leave out fabric softener and bleach and the colors stay bright.
- Set the filling aside. It stays out of the machine: a barely damp cloth on any spots, then let it air out flat.
- Dry. Flat or on a line, away from the radiator, until everything is dry all the way through. The dryer only if the label says so.
- Put it back together. Turn the cover inside out, grab the corners of the cushion and roll the cover over it, then fluff the filling.
Part by part
| Part | How to clean it |
|---|---|
| Fritz Bed cover | Machine wash on its own with the zip closed, programme as on the label. Mild detergent, no fabric softener. Dry flat or on a line. |
| Fritz Bed insert (recycled fibre) | Stays out of the machine. Spot clean and air out. |
| Nest Bed covers (cushion and sides) | Machine wash with the fillings taken out, programme as on the label. Dry flat or on a line. |
| Nest Bed fillings (memory foam pieces in the cushion, recycled fibre in the sides) | A barely damp cloth on any spots, then air out flat. |
| Any bed without a removable cover | Hand wash in the bath, or a large machine if the label allows. Squeeze out the water and dry it through. |
When should you wash a dog bed?
When it needs it: after a muddy walk, during shedding season, or whenever you want it fresh again. In between, a quick vacuum and spot cleaning keep it fresh.
How to wash a dog bed with stuffing and no removable cover
- Check the label, vacuum and pre-treat stains.
- Soak the bed for about twenty minutes in a bath of lukewarm water with a mild fragrance-free detergent.
- Rinse with clean water, squeeze without wringing and roll it in towels.
- Dry flat until the inside is dry, which can take several days.
Smells, accidents and dog hair
- Doggy smell: sprinkle baking soda, leave it for about thirty minutes, then vacuum.
- Urine: an enzyme cleaner, so your dog no longer smells the spot.
- In the rinse: a splash of white vinegar neutralizes smells without adding perfume.
- For their nose: a fragrance-free detergent, without bleach or scented fresheners.
- Hair: remove it before the wash with a damp rubber glove; afterwards, clean the machine filter and door seal.
A spare cover
With a second cover, your dog keeps their spot while the other one dries. Fritz Bed covers and inserts are sold separately in Standard and Grande, and the cover also fits your own cushion of the same size. Swap the cover for a new print, and the insert once the old one has gone flat.
The Fritz Bed Cover
From €85,00- A new print for the same bed
- Keeps the bed in use on wash day
What makes a dog bed easy to wash
- A cover that comes off completely, base and sides included, with a zip long enough to get the filling out.
- Parts sold separately, so you replace a cover or insert instead of the whole bed.
- Fabric made for daily life: the Better Cotton canvas on our covers is scratch-resistant and water-resistant for everyday spills.
The Fritz Bed
From €159,00- Cover zips off, machine washable
- Water-resistant against daily spills
Choosing the size
Measure your dog lying stretched out, nose to base of tail, add 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in), and compare with the sleeping surface (on the Nest Bed, the inner cushion).
| Bed | Standard | Grande |
|---|---|---|
| Fritz Bed | 35 × 25 in (approx. 89 × 64 cm) | 40 × 31 in (approx. 102 × 79 cm) |
| Nest Bed, inner cushion | 19.7 × 15.7 in (50 × 40 cm) | 29.5 × 21.3 in (75 × 54 cm) |
| Nest Bed, overall | 31.5 × 22 in (80 × 56 cm) | 37.4 × 27.6 in (95 × 70 cm) |
All dimensions are in our size guide.
Dog bed washing FAQ
Can you put a dog bed in the dryer?
If the care label says so. Drying flat or on a line always works for the covers, and fillings air-dry.
How long does a dog bed take to dry?
A cover dries faster than the filling; expect a day or more depending on the room and the weather. Put the bed back together once everything is dry all the way through, and it stays fresh.
How do you wash a dog bed that is too big for the machine?
If the label allows machine washing, a large machine at the laundromat often does the job. Otherwise, wash it by hand in the bath with lukewarm water, then squeeze, roll it in towels and dry it flat.
Can you wash the sides of the Nest Bed?
Yes. The inner cushion and every raised side have their own zip-off cover. Take the fillings out, wash the covers on a gentle cycle and let them air-dry.
When should I replace the insert?
When it has gone flat or your dog can feel the floor through it. The Fritz Bed insert is sold separately, so you keep the cover.
What if the bed still smells after washing?
The smell usually sits in the filling. Let it dry completely, treat urine spots with an enzyme cleaner and air it out. A new insert makes the bed fresh again.
A bed made to go in the wash
The Fritz Bed and the Nest Bed have covers that zip off and go in the washing machine, and Fritz Bed parts are also sold on their own.
Shop the Fritz Bed Shop the Nest Bed