One of the things that will affect your beloved dog's health is an unclean dog bed. The following story will tell you how to clean it.
If you do not keep the dog bed clean, then you will have:
An ill dog
A stinky home
Your dog bed pattern might be exquisite, but even your dog would not like going near the bed, if it is dirty!
Before you start cleaning the bed, you should inspect it thoroughly. Look for stains (feces, blood, etc.).
Most of the time, these stains do not go by a simple wash in the washing machine. Make a mental note of the location of the stains. If you spot major blood stains, examine whether your dog has any wounds.
Instructions to Clean a Dog Bed
Cleaning a dog bed is very easy. Generally, there are 2 types of beds:
Foam beds
Blanket beds
Foam beds have a foam insert and an outer cover, whereas, blanket beds do not have a foam insert, and they comprise multiple layers of blankets.
Cleaning a Foam Bed
To clean a foam bed you have to follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Remove the Foam Insert
The foam insert in a foam bed is protected by a cover. You should clean the insert and the cover separately. The cover usually has a zipper or a Velcro. Carefully remove the insert from the cover, and take the cover outdoors.
Step 2: Get Rid of the Hair
The cover will have lots of dog hair on it. You should never wash the cover without removing the hair on it. Shake it properly. Do not stop until you feel that there is no more hair on the cover. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove the hair.
Step 3: Use Stain Remover
You had made a mental note of all the stains, right? Now, take the stain remover, and apply it on the stains. If you do not do this, you may find that some of the stains are present even after washing the cover.
Step 4: Wash the Cover
Put the cover in the washing machine, and wash it. Warm water will help you to get rid of any insects (and eggs) on the cover. So, use warm water to wash the cover. Do not use a strong detergent, as your dog might be sensitive to strong chemicals.
Step 5: Wash the Foam
Partially fill your bathing tub with warm water. Add some detergent to it. Now, put the foam insert in the water. Let it soak for sometime. Now, use your hands (not a brush; a brush might damage the foam) to work the water in the tub through the foam.
Now, let the cover and the foam dry in the sun. A dryer might damage the foam and shrink the cover, so do not use a dryer.
Cleaning a Blanket Bed
Here are the instructions to clean a blanket bed:
Step 1: Remove the Hair
Take the blankets outside, and shake them thoroughly. Getting hair off the blankets takes more time and effort, than removing the hair on the cover. Be patient, and keep shaking till you are sure that all the dog hair is removed.
Step 2: Soak the Blankets
You should not directly wash the blankets in the washing machine. Before you wash them, you should soak the blankets in warm water to kill the eggs and insects hiding in them. So, fill your bathtub with warm water, and put the blankets in the tub, and let them soak for sometime.
Step 3: Wash the Blankets
Remove the blankets from the tub, and spray some stain remover on the stains. Now, put them in the washing machine along with some mild detergent, and wash them.
After you have washed them, you should let them dry completely. If you want, you can use a dryer to dry the blankets.
If you have followed the instructions mentioned above correctly, you will have a clean dog bed. Remember, you should clean the bed periodically, to keep your dog healthy, and your home clean!