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You come into the living room, ready to start your day, and catch a clear smell of cat. Your eyes land on your kitty’s favorite place—the soft bed in the corner—and you know it needs cleaning.
But cleaning the bed seems tricky. Can you just chuck it in the washer? What about all the fur stuck on it? Will it ever become soft and fluffy again?
Don’t worry—we’re here to help! We will discuss with you how to clean cat bed items, making the job easy and hassle-free. Soon, you’ll keep your cat’s bed fresh, and your cat will thank you with happy purrs.
Before you let a single drop of water hit that cat bed, doing a little prep can make all the difference between a successful clean and a laundry mess. This first step is the most crucial if you want to wash cat bed materials properly. Spending a few minutes now will save you trouble later.
First, look for the care tag. Just like with your own clothes, most cat beds come with a label that has washing instructions straight from the manufacturer. It’ll tell you if the whole bed or just the cover can go in the machine, what water temperature to use, and the best way to dry it. If there’s no tag in sight, it’s usually safest to play it safe and wash by hand with cold water.
Next, the big task: getting rid of the fur. Cat beds collect fur like magnets, and all that loose fluff can block your washer’s drain and pump. Grab a vacuum with an upholstery brush and go through every corner.
If you don’t have a vacuum handy, a lint roller or even a damp rubber glove can do a great job picking up stubborn hairs. This step is essential if you want to wash your cat’s bed properly.
If the care tag says it’s fine, using the washing machine is the easiest way to get your cat’s bed clean, as it does most of the work for you. Here’s how to clean cat bed inserts and covers in your machine.
First, ensure the bed can move around freely inside the washer. If you have to jam it in, it won’t get clean, and it might affect your machine’s balance. For smaller beds or covers that come off, use a big mesh laundry bag. It helps protect the fabric and keeps the bed’s shape while washing.
When washing your cat’s items, remember their skin is sensitive and their nose is way sharper than ours. So, avoid regular laundry detergents. These cleaning agents have harsh chemicals and strong odors.
Pick a mild, fragrance-free detergent instead. There are pet-safe options made to be gentle on skin. You can also use a simple plant-based detergent with no dyes or scents.
And don’t use fabric softener. It can leave residue that irritates your cat’s skin.
Set your machine to be gentle. Use the delicate or gentle cycle to keep the bed from being tossed around too much. It also helps the filling stay even and the seams remain intact.
Always use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water can shrink some fabrics or ruin foam inserts. The gentle cycle with cool water is the safest way to wash a cat bed without damaging it.
Don’t skip this last step: run an extra rinse cycle to eliminate excess soap and keep it clean and safe. If detergent remains on the bed, it can stiffen the fabric and may cause your cat discomfort or scratching.
If the bed’s too big for your washer, has solid foam, or the tag says “no machine wash,” you can still get it clean without using a machine. Knowing how to wash a cat bed by hand is a handy skill for any pet owner.
Hand washing is gentle and does its job. Since you’re in control, you won’t mess up delicate fabrics, foam, or beds with covers that don’t come off.
Use a tub, a big sink, or a basin and fill it with tepid water. Add a small amount of pet-safe detergent and stir to make suds. Dunk the whole cat bed in there and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen the grime.
After soaking, gently squeeze and press the bed to work the soap in. Use a soft brush on any stubborn spots, but be gentle—that’s the secret to hand washing correctly.
When it seems clean, drain the soapy water and fill with clean, cool water to rinse. Keep wringing and rinsing until the foam is gone. At the end, press out as much water as you can, but never twist or wring it to avoid ruining the shape.
Sometimes, just a regular wash won’t cut it when it comes to what your cat leaves behind. Accidents happen—whether it’s urine, vomit, or just a stubborn, deep-set smell—and you need a stronger approach. Knowing how to handle these tough messes can save you from having to toss the whole bed.
For these tricky spots, an enzymatic cleaner is your best bet. You can find these at most pet stores. Unlike regular soaps, enzymatic cleaners contain special enzymes that break down the organic elements in pet messes, fully removing stains and odors instead of just covering them up. This is exactly what you need to clean a cat bed properly after an accident.
Before washing the bed, spray the stained area generously with the enzymatic cleaner and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This time is enough for the enzymes to do their work.
After that soak, you can go ahead with your regular washing—whether in the machine or by hand. This pre-treatment is often the crucial step to removing stubborn stains and smells for good.
If the bed just smells a bit musty or funky, baking soda is a simple, all-natural fix. When the bed is dry, sprinkle a good amount of baking soda all over the surface. Leave it for at least 30 minutes or longer before thoroughly vacuuming it.
Baking soda soaks up and neutralizes odors, giving the bed a fresh start before washing. It’s a smart first move when cleaning a cat bed.
You’ve cleaned the cat bed, but don’t stop there. How you dry it matters just as much as how you wash it. Dry it wrong, and the filling can clump, the bed can lose shape, or mildew can grow. Getting this step right is a big part of how to wash cat bed items properly.
You’ve got two choices: use a dryer or air-dry it. Check the care tag first before taking any action. If you don’t see one, air-drying is the safest move. Here’s how to do both correctly.
If the tag says it’s okay, the dryer can save you time. But don’t just throw it in and turn up the heat. High temperatures can be harmful to cat beds—it may melt the fabric, cause it to shrink, and make the stuffing clump together.
Use a low-heat or air-fluff setting instead. Toss in a couple of clean tennis or wool dryer balls to help break up clumps and keep the bed fluffy. You might want to stop the dryer halfway and fluff it by hand before finishing. It takes a bit more effort, but that’s how you get the best results.
If you’re unsure, air-drying is the safest and easiest way, especially for beds with foam inserts, delicate fabric, or rubber bottoms. This will help your cat’s bed last longer.
After washing, squeeze out as much water as you can and reshape the bed. Hang it on a clothesline or place it flat on a drying rack. If you lay it flat, flip it every few hours so it dries evenly all around.
Keep it in a breezy spot, but out of harsh sunlight that can fade colors and damage fabric. It might take a day or two, but waiting is worth it for a clean, comfy bed that’s back to its best.
Now that you’ve learned how to wash a cat bed, let’s discuss when to do it. Figuring out how often to clean it can be tricky, but as a rule of thumb, you should wash it every week or two. Washing on this schedule keeps dust, fur, and allergens in check.
If your cat sheds frequently, has allergies, or spends a lot of time outdoors, wash it weekly. That’s usually enough for most cats and homes.
If something spills or your cat has an accident, clean it up right away. On weeks you’re not doing a full wash, just shake the bed out and give it a quick vacuum to get loose fur and dirt. Doing this often makes deep cleans easier.
Remember, your cat’s bed is their personal zone. Keeping their bed clean shows you care and helps keep your kitty healthy and happy.
So, when you smell that familiar cat stench, you’ll know what to do. It’s not a pain—just part of taking care of your pet. A clean bed means a happy cat, and a happy cat means a chill home.
