A dog bed that can't be kept clean gets thrown out, usually within the year. Here's how to wash one properly so it lasts, and what to check before you buy if you haven't yet.
Wash the cover, never the foam
Unzip the cover and machine-wash it cold or warm on a gentle cycle. The foam core itself never goes in the machine: soaked foam breaks down, dries slowly, and can grow mould from the inside. If the core needs freshening, spot-clean it and let it air-dry fully before the cover goes back on.
Deal with hair first
Run a vacuum or a rubber glove over the cover before it goes in the machine. A drum full of loose hair redeposits it straight back onto the fabric, and onto everything else you wash that week.
Skip the harsh stuff
Mild detergent, no bleach, no fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres and dulls the water resistance of treated fabrics. Air-dry or tumble low; high heat is what warps zips and shrinks covers.
Accidents happen, plan for them
This is why a waterproof liner between the cover and the foam matters. It means an accident is a cover-wash, not a ruined bed. Every Apawrest bed has one, along with a machine-washable cover, because a bed for an older dog has to survive real life.
If you're still choosing a bed, start with the size guide, or see the full range.
