For dog beds, use enzymatic cleaner, hot water washing, and thorough drying to break down urine odor and keep the scent from coming back.
Dog beds pick up life fast—naps, drool, rainy walks, the occasional accident. When urine hits foam or bulky fill, the smell can linger and spark repeat marking. This guide walks you through a proven approach that clears the odor at the source and keeps the bed fresh without wrecking fabrics or coatings.
Quick Wins Before A Deep Clean
Act fast. Blot up fresh moisture with white towels until the towel lifts dry. Skip rubbing. Press down, lift, swap to a clean area, and keep going. Slide a cutting board or tray under a removable cover so liquid doesn’t soak deeper into foam. Then move to the steps below.
How To Remove Urine Smell From Dog Beds: Step-By-Step Plan
This workflow handles both small spots and full-bed wash days. You’ll need paper towels or cotton towels, an enzymatic cleaner, a mesh laundry bag for small inserts, baking soda, and fragrance-free detergent.
Step 1: Separate Cover And Fill
Unzip the cover. If the foam core has a liner, leave it on during transport to the sink or tub. Keep clean zones and soiled zones apart so you don’t transfer odor.
Step 2: Pre-treat The Spot
Heavily wet areas should be pre-treated with an enzymatic cleaner. Soak the spot until damp through the thickness of the fabric. Give it contact time as directed on the label. If there’s pooled liquid on bare foam, blot first, then apply the cleaner and let it wick in.
Step 3: Wash The Cover
Turn the cover inside out. Wash on the warmest setting the label allows with a fragrance-free detergent. Add ½ cup of baking soda to the drum for extra odor control. Skip fabric softener; it can coat fibers and trap scents. If the cover is delicate, place it in a laundry bag to reduce abrasion.
Step 4: Rinse And Dry Thoroughly
Run an extra rinse if the cover feels slick or smells like detergent. Dry fully—line dry in sun when possible or tumble on low-to-medium heat per the care tag. Complete drying matters; trapped moisture can leave a stale note later.
Step 5: Deodorize The Foam Or Fill
For solid foam: spot-clean only. Blot, apply enzymatic cleaner, and allow slow air-drying. For shredded foam or polyfill in a liner: if the tag allows, wash in a large tub with cool-to-warm water and a small amount of detergent, then press out water gently. Do not wring. Air-dry until the center is bone dry before reassembly.
Step 6: Reassemble And Proof Against Repeats
Once both pieces are fully dry, rebuild the bed. Mist the outer cover with a light pass of enzymatic cleaner and let it dry again. This final pass helps neutralize any faint trace left behind.
Bed Materials: What Works And What To Avoid
The right move depends on the fabric and fill. Use this table as a quick map during cleanup.
| Bed Material | What Works | What To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Removable Cotton Cover | Warm water wash, extra rinse, full dry; enzymatic pre-treat | Fabric softener; over-stuffed washer loads |
| Polyester Microfiber | Warm wash, low-to-medium heat dry; baking soda boost | High heat that can glaze fibers |
| Water-Resistant Cover (PU/TPU Coated) | Wipe, mild detergent, enzymatic cleaner on seams | Bleach on coating; hot iron |
| Memory Foam Core | Spot clean with enzymatic cleaner; air-dry for 24–48 hours | Machine wash; wringing or twisting |
| Shredded Foam Fill | Soak-and-press in tub if tag allows; sun-dry in layers | High-spin cycles that clump or tear pieces |
| Polyfill Insert | Laundry bag; warm wash; full tumble dry | Skipping the dry cycle; damp storage |
| Outdoor Bed Fabrics | Hose off, mild soap, enzymatic spot work; UV sun-dry | Harsh solvents that strip water repellency |
Why Enzymatic Cleaners Beat Perfume Sprays
Urine carries proteins and uric acid crystals that cling to fabric and foam. Cover-up sprays mask the scent for a short time; enzymes break it down so dogs can’t “read” the spot later. Pick a pet-safe formula, soak the stained zone, and honor the label’s dwell time. Many require the area to stay damp until dry on its own, which lets the enzymes finish the job.
How Much Cleaner To Use
Match the amount to the depth of the stain. If urine reached the foam, a light mist on the surface won’t cut it. Wet the area enough to reach the same depth the liquid traveled. On thick foam, plan for a longer dry time.
When Vinegar And Baking Soda Help—And When They Don’t
Vinegar can reduce alkaline odor and help with mineral residue on fabric covers. It doesn’t digest proteins, so it’s a helper, not a stand-alone. Baking soda absorbs scents during the wash and during drying. Use them as extras around your main enzymatic step.
Health-Safe Washing And Drying
For machine-washable covers and inserts, follow the care tag and aim for the warmest safe water setting. Dry completely to finish the job. If the label allows a hot wash, use it for soiled bedding days. Public guidance aligns with these steps: washing on the warmest safe setting and full drying helps clear microbes as part of routine home cleaning. See the CDC home cleaning guidance for the general laundry approach that backs this method.
Skip Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Ammonia smells like urine to many dogs, which can trigger re-marking. Pet-care groups recommend enzymatic products instead of ammonia or harsh perfume blends. A practical overview appears in the Humane Society’s urine odor advice, which stresses enzymes and avoiding strong-scented chemicals.
Deep-Clean Workflow For Stubborn, Set-In Odor
Older accidents need more contact time and airflow. Use this plan when a quick wash didn’t clear the scent.
Step A: Map The Stain
Hold the cover up to light to spot rings. A UV flashlight also helps on light fabrics. Mark edges with safety pins so you don’t miss the full area during treatment.
Step B: Saturate With Enzymes
Lay the cover flat on a waterproof surface. Saturate the ring and an inch beyond. Place a damp cloth over the spot to slow evaporation if your cleaner calls for extended dwell time.
Step C: Two-Cycle Laundry
Run a short warm cycle with detergent only. Then a second warm cycle with detergent plus ½ cup baking soda. If the label allows oxygen bleach, add it during the second cycle for light-colored fabrics.
Step D: Dry, Sniff-Test, Repeat Only If Needed
Dry all the way, then sniff at seam lines and zipper edges. If the smell lingers, repeat the enzyme step, not the perfume spray step. Shortcuts just push the job to next week.
Odor-Proof Habits That Keep Beds Fresh
Once the bed smells clean, a few habits help it stay that way. Small steps now beat emergency wash days later.
Put A Wash Cycle On A Schedule
Weekly for heavy shedders or seniors, every two weeks for most others, and after muddy park days. Pair the wash with crate pads and favorite blankets so everything stays in sync.
Use A Waterproof Inner Liner
A zippered liner around foam stops liquids before they spread. Wipe it during each cover wash and you’ll cut drying time by hours.
Build A Two-Cover Rotation
Own a spare cover. Swap on laundry day so your dog never loses a cozy spot, and you never rush drying.
Ventilate And Sun-Dry When You Can
Fresh air helps moisture escape from seams and tags. Sunlight also helps with lingering smells on outdoor-friendly fabrics. Keep dark colors out of direct sun for long periods to reduce fading.
Safety Notes For Cleaning Day
Wear dish gloves during heavy cleanup and wash your hands when you’re done. Keep dogs out of the room while the enzymatic cleaner works and until the bed is fully dry. Never mix bleach with ammonia-bearing products. If a label lists “no chlorine,” skip bleach entirely for that item.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
If foam crumbles, the liner cracks, or the odor returns after multiple deep-clean cycles, it may be time for a new core or bed. Pick a model with a waterproof inner liner, a sturdy zipper, and a machine-washable cover. Check that replacement covers are available; that alone can double the life of the bed.
How To Shop For An Enzymatic Cleaner
Look for language like “enzymatic,” “bio-enzymes,” or “bacteria-based.” A short, plain scent profile is better than heavy perfume. If you prefer certified options, scan product pages for marks from third-party programs. Some brands also list inclusion on safer-product directories. Keep a spray bottle near the bed so you can treat spots before work or errands.
Laundry Settings For Dog Beds (Cheat Sheet)
Match settings to the fabric so you lift odor without wrecking coatings or shrinking the cover.
| Fabric Or Fill | Water Temp | Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Cover | Warm to hot if label allows | ½ cup baking soda in wash; oxygen bleach on whites |
| Polyester Cover | Warm | Extra rinse; no softener |
| Polyfill Insert | Warm | Laundry bag; full tumble dry |
| Memory Foam Core | Spot clean only | Enzymatic soak; long air-dry |
| Outdoor Fabric | Cool to warm | Mild soap; sun-dry |
| Water-Resistant Cover | Cool to warm | Gentle cycle; skip bleach |
| Shredded Foam | Cool to warm (if tag allows) | Layered air-dry; fluff by hand |
When You Need A Pro
If a bed is large, the foam is thick, or urine reached hardwood subfloor under the bed, a pro with extraction gear may save time. Bring the cover and insert; they can treat both pieces and alert you if the foam is past saving.
FAQ-Free, Action-Ready Wrap
Follow the steps above and you’ll clear odor at the source. Enzymes handle the chemistry, a warm wash and complete dry finish the job, and a few habits keep the bed fresh. Use this process each time and you won’t play scent whack-a-mole again.
Disclosure: This guide shares hands-on methods and links to public guidance so you can make informed cleaning choices at home. No product is sponsored.