This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University.
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Vinegar is a cheap, easy way to clean and deodorize your dog's bedding. For regular washing, add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) to a wash cycle with hot water, in addition to a mild detergent. For strong odors, add a full cup of vinegar. To wash a full dog bed, fill your bathtub with warm water, detergent, and vinegar, and soak. Keep your dog's bedding fresh by washing it every week or two, and by spraying it daily with an even mixture of vinegar and water.
Steps
Doing a Routine Wash
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1Remove bedding. Remove the blankets or dog bed cover from your dog's sleeping spot. Note whether the bedding smells bad enough to warrant a more intense cleaning. Place items in the washing machine.[1]
- If you notice stains on the bedding, treat them with a stain remover prior to washing.
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2Pick settings for the washing machine. Look for any care labels on the dog's bedding that might offer specific cleaning instructions. If no special directions are listed, choose a hot water wash cycle. Add a mild detergent, in the normal quantity recommended for a single load.Advertisement
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3Add vinegar. Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of white vinegar to the softener dispenser of the machine. Start the wash cycle. If your machine does not have a softener dispenser, run the machine as usual and add the vinegar at the beginning of the final rinse cycle.[2]
- If the smell on your dog's bedding is especially strong, add a full cup of vinegar to the final rinse cycle.
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4Dry the bedding. If possible, hang your dog's bedding on a clothesline to dry - the outdoor air will help with neutralizing odors and freshen the bedding. If line drying is not an option, air dry the items indoors or use the clothes dryer. If you choose the latter option, be sure to clean out the lint trap carefully afterwards to remove all pet hair.[3]
- Avoid using dryer sheets, which may irritate your dog's skin.
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5Clean the machine. After washing your dog's bedding in the washing machine, clean the machine to remove any lingering odors or pet hair. Add a 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach. Run a full hot water wash cycle.[4]
Cleaning a Foam Dog Bed or Insert
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1Fill the tub. If your dog's bed does not have removable bedding, you will have to soak the entire bed (or cushion insert) to clean it. Fill the bathtub full of warm water. Add a capful of laundry detergent and a 1/4 cup (60 ml) of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.[5]
- To remove very strong odor, add a 1/2 cup of vinegar.
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2Submerge the bed. Put your dog's foam bed (or the foam cushion insert of the bed) into the bathtub. Make sure it is completely submerged. Soak the bed for 10-15 minutes.[6]
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3Rinse the bed. Drain the bath completely. Rinse the dog bed or cushion under warm water. Squeeze the bed until all the soap is rinsed out.
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4Dry the bed. Remove the bed or cushion insert from the tub. If weather permits, place the bed outside to dry. If not, place near a heater to dry indoors.[7]
Keeping Bedding Fresh
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1
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2Bathe your dog regularly. The best way to keep your dog's bedding clean is to keep your dog clean. Bathe your dog occasionally; in the interim, you can use baby wipes to wipe your dog's coat and freshen its fur. In addition, brush your dog regularly to remove dirt, debris, and allergens that contribute to odor.[10]
- Don’t bathe your dog too often as this disrupts the pH level of its skin. This is why pet wipes are a good alternative – they do not alter the pH levels of canine skin. Weekly bathing is only recommended for cases of severe dermatitis.
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3Use a vinegar-based deodorizing spray. Fill a spray bottle with an equal mixture of water and white vinegar. Spray your dog's bedding on a daily basis to keep it smelling fresh. Avoid spraying before your dog's usual bedtime or nap times so the bedding has adequate time to dry.[11]
References
- ↑ http://laundry.about.com/od/petstainsandodors/qt/How-To-Wash-Dog-Clothes-Wash-Dog-Sweaters.htm
- ↑ http://bitzngiggles.com/how-to-remove-pet-smells-from-blankets/
- ↑ http://laundry.about.com/od/petstainsandodors/qt/How-To-Wash-Dog-Clothes-Wash-Dog-Sweaters.htm
- ↑ http://laundry.about.com/od/petstainsandodors/qt/How-To-Wash-Dog-Clothes-Wash-Dog-Sweaters.htm
- ↑ https://brightnest.com/todos/de-stink-your-dog-s-bed
- ↑ https://brightnest.com/todos/de-stink-your-dog-s-bed
- ↑ https://brightnest.com/todos/de-stink-your-dog-s-bed
- ↑ https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/dog_smell/
- ↑ http://laundry.about.com/od/petstainsandodors/qt/How-To-Wash-Dog-Clothes-Wash-Dog-Sweaters.htm
About This Article
To clean dog bedding with vinegar, start by removing the bedding and treating any stains you see with a stain remover. Next, place the items in the washing machine and choose a hot water wash cycle. Then, add enough mild detergent for a single load before adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. Finally, after the cycle finishes, hang the bedding to air-dry or put it in your dryer. For tips on making a deodorizing spray with vinegar, read on!
