Taking care of your dog’s bed is just as important as taking care of their coat. You need to clean it regularly to keep the bed in top shape and prevent odors from building up.
A dirty dog bed isn’t just uncomfortable for your pup; it’s also a breeding ground for bacteria, mites, and other germs that can spread to other parts of your home.
Keeping your dog’s bed clean and smelling fresh is as simple as following these steps. Cleaning a dog bed can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be with a little bit of planning and research. Keep reading to learn how to wash your Kong dog bed.
Step 1: Remove Strap and Pad
Take your dog’s bed off the strap and make sure it’s not dirty or damaged. Please put it in a plastic bag and put the bag in the freezer for an hour to kill any bacteria on the straps.
If your Kong bed has a removable pad, remove it and put it in a plastic bag for safekeeping. Freezer bags are great for keeping germs and bacteria at bay, so be sure to use one when storing your Kong bed’s accessories.
Step 2: Vacuum
Cleaning a dog bed is made easier if the pad and the fabric are dust-free. Vacuum the bed thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, and other unwanted particles.
A dirty bed isn’t just uncomfortable for your pup; it’s also a breeding ground for bacteria, mites, and other germs that can spread to other home parts.
Step 3: Spot Clean
Even though the bed is clean, it may still be dirty. Dirt, bacteria, and other debris can quickly build upon the Kong bed’s fabric.
If the fabric is stained or has become soiled, use a mild detergent to clean it up. Make sure to spot clean the stained or soiled areas because cleaning the whole bed with a detergent can make the fabric too oily to use as a bed later.
If the fabric is just a little dirty and doesn’t need to be cleaned, give it a quick wipe with a cloth to remove any loose debris.
Step 4: Wash
If your Kong bed is removable, you can machine wash it on cold with like colors. If it’s not machine washable, you can hand wash it with soap and water or put it in the washing machine with like colors.
You don’t want to put your machine in a load that includes Kong’s bed, or else the washing machine could get filled with bacteria from your dog’s bed.
If you don’t have time for a full load of laundry, you can also spot wash the bed in your sink. Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a few drops of soap.
Soak the Kong bed in the water for a few minutes, then use a cloth to gently scrub the fabric. Rinse the Kong bed with clear water to remove any soap residue, then dry it on the lowest possible setting.
Step 5: Dry
After washing, your Kong bed is likely to be noticeably wet. This is fine, but you don’t want the fabric to stay wet. If you can, find a way to get the Kong bed completely dry.
If you have a rack for your clothes, set the Kong bed on it or lay it flat to completely dry. You don’t want mold or mildew to form on Kong’s bed, and a wet fabric makes it more likely to develop mold.
Step 6: Shake to Fluff
Your Kong bed may feel stiff after washing, and it’s probably a little too stiff for comfort. To make it feel soft, give it a little shake. This gets any extra water out of the Kong bed and makes the bed feel fluffy again.
Step 7: Put It Back Together
Put your Kong bed back together exactly the way it was before washing. This includes the pad and the strap. If you altered your Kong bed, put it back together according to how it was originally designed. This will help keep your Kong bed in top shape and prevent odors from building up.
Step 8: Final Touches
If you’ve followed all the steps up to this point and your Kong bed is still stinky and gross, there’s probably one final thing you can do.
If Kong has a spot for it, add Kong’s bed to it. Dogs chew on Kong’s bed for fun and satisfaction, and it can also help freshen up the Kong bed if it’s too smelly for words.
Conclusion
Cleaning a dog bed can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be with a little bit of planning and research.
A clean bed isn’t just comfortable for your pup; it’s also a breeding ground for bacteria, mites, and other germs that can spread to other parts of your home. Keeping your dog’s bed clean and smelling fresh is as simple as following these steps.