Remove loose hair from a dog bed before it ever goes near water: vacuum the surface, seams, and crevices thoroughly, then follow the exact care label instructions for washing. Wet hair clumps together and can wrap around a washing machine's drum, agitator, or drain filter, so skipping the dry step is one of the easiest ways to end up with a soggy, still-hairy bed and a washer that needs its own cleanup afterward.
Dog beds are one of the hardest textiles in the house to keep hair-free, mostly because they combine deep seams, textured fabric, and constant contact with your dog's coat. A little bit of dry prep work before washing makes the actual wash more effective and protects your washing machine at the same time.
Step 1: Check the Care Label First
Before you do anything else, find the care label on the bed itself or check the manufacturer's product page. Look for:
- Whether the cover is removable and machine washable
- Whether the foam or fiber insert is washable, spot-clean only, or not washable at all
- Recommended water temperature and dryer setting, if any
- Any warnings about zippers, closures, or specific materials
Manufacturer and material instructions always take priority over general advice. If your bed's label or product page gives a specific process, that's the one to follow, even where it differs from the general steps below.
Step 2: Separate the Cover From the Insert (If Allowed)
If the label confirms the cover is removable and the insert is a separate, non-washable piece, unzip and separate them before you start removing hair. This lets you vacuum and wash the cover on its own and handle the foam insert with spot cleaning only, rather than risking it in a machine.
Never assume a foam insert is machine washable just because the cover is. Foam padding can break down, absorb water and hold onto moisture, or lose its shape in a washing machine, and most manufacturers explicitly exclude it from machine washing instructions.
Step 3: Vacuum Before Anything Gets Wet
This is the step that matters most for keeping your washer running well.
- Use a vacuum with an upholstery or pet-hair attachment and go over the entire top surface of the cover or bed first.
- Work the seams and crevices carefully. Hair collects heavily along stitching lines, piping, and the edges where fabric folds over itself — these areas need slower, more deliberate passes than the flat surface.
- Flip the bed or cover over and vacuum the underside and sides. Hair works its way through fabric and settles on the bottom too.
- Vacuum any removable bolsters or cushions separately, following the same top-to-bottom, seam-by-seam approach.
Vacuuming first matters because wet pet hair clumps together and becomes much harder to remove than dry hair. That clumped, wet hair is also what tends to wrap around a washing machine's agitator or drum, or collect in the drain filter, so thorough dry removal protects your machine as much as it protects the bed.
Step 4: Use a Lint Roller or Damp Rubber Glove for Stubborn Spots
If vacuuming leaves a light haze of embedded hair, a lint roller can lift what the vacuum missed, especially on flatter fabric areas. A damp rubber glove — lightly dampened, not soaked — run across the surface can also gather hair through friction, since hair tends to stick to the rubber's texture and can then be gathered into a ball for disposal.
Only use these methods if they're safe for the bed's specific material. Some delicate or textured fabrics can snag, pill, or fray under a lint roller's adhesive or a glove's friction, so test a small area first if you're unsure, and defer to any material-specific guidance from the manufacturer.
Step 5: Shake It Out Outdoors
Where appropriate — meaning the bed or cover is sturdy enough and you have an outdoor space to do this — take the cover or whole bed outside and shake it firmly to dislodge any remaining loose hair before washing. This is a simple step but it noticeably reduces the amount of hair that ends up floating in the wash water.
Step 6: Prep the Cover for the Washer
- Close all zippers and fasteners before loading the cover into the machine. An open zipper can snag on fabric or on the machine's drum.
- Follow the exact water temperature listed on the label. Don't default to hot water as a way to "make sure it's clean" if the label specifies cool or warm.
- Use the dryer setting specified on the label, or air dry if that's what's recommended. Some covers and fabrics can shrink or warp under high heat even if they're machine washable.
- Wash the cover on its own or with a small, similar load rather than packing the machine, since a full load can prevent thorough rinsing of trapped hair and detergent.
Step 7: Dry Completely Before Reuse
Whether the cover is line-dried or machine-dried, make sure it's fully dry — including seams and any thicker fabric folds — before putting it back on the bed or letting your dog use it again. A damp cover can develop odor or mildew, and dampness trapped against a foam insert is a common cause of a musty smell over time.
Step 8: Clean Your Washing Machine's Seal and Filter
After washing a dog bed cover, check your washing machine's manufacturer instructions for cleaning the door seal (on front-loaders) and the drain filter. Pet hair that makes it past the pre-wash vacuuming can still collect in these areas, and manufacturers typically provide a specific cleaning process and schedule for this maintenance.
Decision Table: Choosing Your Cleaning Steps
| Bed component | Recommended handling |
|---|---|
| Removable, machine-washable cover | Vacuum thoroughly, lint-roll or glove if needed, wash per label |
| Foam or fiber insert (non-washable) | Vacuum and spot-clean only; do not machine wash unless label confirms it |
| Bed with no removable cover | Vacuum entire surface and seams; follow label for full-bed washing or spot cleaning |
| Delicate or textured fabric | Test lint roller or damp glove on a small area first |
| Newly washed cover | Dry completely, including seams, before returning it to the bed |
Keeping Hair Off Other Fabric in the House
The same dry-first logic applies well beyond the dog bed. If your dog also has a favorite blanket, the process for how to remove dog hair from a fleece blanket follows a similar vacuum-and-lint-roll approach before washing. And if you're dealing with pet hair in your washing machine after a wash, that's worth addressing directly since leftover hair in the drum or filter can transfer onto your next load. For a broader look at fabric surfaces around the house, our guide to removing pet hair from bedding covers sheets, comforters, and other everyday textiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a whole dog bed in the washing machine?
It depends entirely on the bed's construction and the manufacturer's care label. Some smaller beds are designed to be fully machine washable, while others require you to remove and wash only the cover while spot-cleaning the insert. Always check the specific label or product page for your bed.
How often should I wash my dog's bed?
There isn't one universal washing frequency that fits every bed and every dog — it depends on shedding, how much time your dog spends on the bed, and the bed's material. Vacuum regularly between washes and follow your bed's care instructions for how often a full wash is recommended.
Why does my washing machine smell after washing a pet bed?
Leftover pet hair and moisture trapped in the drum, seal, or filter can cause odor over time. Checking and cleaning your washing machine's seal and filter according to the manufacturer's instructions after washing pet items can help prevent this.
Is a lint roller safe for all dog bed fabrics?
Not necessarily — some textured or delicate fabrics can snag or pill under a lint roller's adhesive. Test a small, inconspicuous area first, and rely on vacuuming as the primary dry-hair-removal method if you're unsure about the fabric.
What if the care label and general cleaning advice seem to conflict?
Always follow the manufacturer's specific care label or product instructions over general advice. Labels reflect the exact materials and construction of your particular bed, which can vary significantly between products.
Sources
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/how-to-clean-a-dog-bed/
- https://casper.com/products/dog-bed-cover