Put all of your pet's bedding and blankets in the washing machine and wash separately from any other laundry on a cold wash. Use a pet-safe laundry detergent to wash the load and add in some pet hair dissolver to get rid of any leftover hairs.
You should also wash the dog bed in the washing machine. If the dog bed is too large, you can take it to the laundromat to be washed. Load the dog bed cover or the entire bed into a front-load washing machine and wash it in hot water to kill any insects and eggs that may be on the bed.
Spray a combination of ½-cup of laundry detergent and water on the bed without soaking it. Sprinkle the bed with baking soda and let it sit for a few hours to remove odors. Then vacuum it for a final time. Remember to flip the bed and treat the opposite side with the same steps.
Add a half-cup of white vinegar to the machine's rinse cycle. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener that helps loosen pet hair. Clean your washer by running a wash cycle without laundry. After the cycle ends, wipe down your machine's drum with a wet cloth.
The length of time that your dog bed will last for could vary in time from two years to five years - there are no hard and fast rules but if you follow our tips above then you will get a good idea of when it is time to replace your dog's bed.
Let's face it- you love the feel of freshly washed bedding, and so does your dog. Having a clean spot to sleep is important. If the bed itself is simple to care for, it will make it snap to keep fresh for your pup.
Dogs love clean laundry too, for a different reason. Many dogs are known for immediately rolling on freshly-washed laundry that you've laid out to put away. The reason for this is that dogs identify their family mostly through scent.
Wipe down the fabric on your dog bed with a mixture of one tablespoon of water and a cup of distilled white vinegar each week. Put your dog's bed in direct sunlight once a week to kill bacteria and remove odors. Sprinkle baking soda over the dog bed when it begins to stink, and then vacuum it up.
A dog should be dried with a more absorbent towel, like a soft microfibre one, and these towels are different to the cotton ones we use ourselves. The two types of towel should, therefore, not be washed alongside each other.
If your dog's bed is small, place the entire bed into the washing machine. Following the manufacturer's instructions, wash in hot water to kill bacteria. Add a mild, chemical-free washing detergent. Ideally use a soap detergent designed for pets to avoid any skin irritations or allergies later on.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften fabric and loosen hair. Wash the blanket on a regular wash cycle by itself or with only a few other items so hair can drain easily. Clean your washer by wiping down the washer tub and running an empty wash or cleaning cycle.
If you have pets, and particularly if you let them sleep in your bed, a wash every 3-4 days is recommended. If you experience allergies or asthma, it may be worth it to try cleaning your bedding more frequently to see if your symptoms improve. Sleep Guidebook.
Dogs notoriously love their blankets. Whether it's at home or on the road, it gives them a place to snuggle up and be comfortable. No matter your lifestyle, this is an easy investment that every pet owner can make to improve the quality of life for their animal.
Studies have shown many physical and mental health advantages to owning a pet, and co-sleeping increases the amount of time spent with that pet, potentially increasing those benefits. For example, co-sleeping can increase the feelings of comfort and companionship your dog provides.
Dogs thrive on routine, so establishing a bedtime routine for your dog is extremely important. For our night owl canines, this might include a few extra calming steps to prep for a good night's sleep.
The important thing is to stay consistent with your wording so your dog knows what to do when it hears the command. The same is true for timing. Try to keep a consistent bedtime for your dog, so Fido gets used to sleeping and waking up at the same time every day.
Another tip to get pet hair off clothes is to add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the machine's rinse cycle when washing your items. This is especially helpful if you have lots of pet hair or lint stuck to your clothes. Like the pre-wash dryer cycle, this also helps relax fabrics and frees trapped hair.
Running a sanitize cycle in your washer after the initial drying and washing can also help get rid of any stubborn pet hair.
Place the doggie blankets and bed covering in your washing machine. For heavily soiled or very stinky dog bedding, use a full cap of Odor Blasters laundry detergent. If it's a regular maintenance wash, fill the cap to level 2. Use an extra rinse cycle to ensure that all detergent rinses from the fabric.