The short answer: unzip the cover, take the insert out and shake or vacuum off the loose hair. Wash the cover on a delicate cycle in cold water with a mild detergent such as Woolite, then line dry it. Never put a foam insert in the washing machine or dryer: vacuum it and spot-clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let it air dry completely before the cover goes back on.
Every J’adore bed has a removable, machine-washable cover, and every fabric is pre-washed before it’s cut, so the cover keeps its fit after laundering. This guide covers washing the cover, cleaning a foam insert, the removable seat cover on our Cuddle beds, odors and stains, and when it’s time for a replacement cover or a new insert.
What You Can Wash, and How
A J’adore bed comes apart into a few pieces, and each one is cleaned differently:
| Part | How to clean it | Machine dryer? |
|---|---|---|
| Outer cover | Machine wash, delicate cycle, cold water, mild detergent | No: line dry |
| Removable seat cover (Cuddle and Cozy Cuddle) | Lift it out and machine wash it like the outer cover | No: line dry |
| Foam insert (memory foam or high-density foam) | Vacuum, then spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap; air it out | Never |
| Fiberfill insert | Machine wash in cold or warm water with the zipper stapled or sewn shut | Yes: delicate setting, with three tennis balls |
| Waterproof insert cover | Machine wash, delicate cycle, cold water, a mild detergent such as Woolite | No: line dry |
How Often Should You Wash a Dog Bed?
It depends on your dog. A quick vacuum or spot-clean can happen any time, and a full wash of the cover should be part of a regular routine:
- Light shedders and mostly indoor dogs: wash the cover every two to three weeks.
- Heavy shedders and oily coats: weekly, to stay ahead of fur and odor.
- Puppies in training and senior dogs prone to accidents: weekly, or as needed.
- After a muddy or wet adventure: clean the bed the same day so dirt doesn’t settle in.
Washing only as often as your dog needs keeps the fabric looking its best for longer. A second cover makes laundry day painless: put the fresh one on while the other one dries.
How to Wash a Dog Bed Cover, Step by Step
- Unzip and remove the cover. Take the insert out completely.
- Get the hair off first. Shake the cover outside, then use a lint roller, a damp rubber glove or a vacuum with an upholstery attachment. Less hair in the machine means a cleaner wash.
- Pre-treat spots. Dab (don’t scrub) with a little mild, pet-safe detergent, or with equal parts white vinegar and water on a clean cloth.
- Close every zipper so it can’t snag the fabric during the wash.
- Wash on a delicate cycle in cold water with a mild detergent such as Woolite. Skip bleach, harsh cleaners and fabric softener: they weaken fibers, fade colors and leave a residue on the fabric.
- Line dry. A hot dryer can shrink or fade the fabric. Hang the cover or lay it flat until it’s completely dry.
- Zip it back on only when the cover is fully dry, so no moisture gets trapped against the insert.
Fabric choice makes a difference to how easy all of this is. Our guide to durable, washable cover fabrics compares how each fabric handles hair, scratching and the wash.
How to Clean a Foam Dog Bed Insert
Foam inserts, whether memory foam or high-density foam, should never go in the washing machine or the dryer. The spinning breaks the foam down and heat can warp it. Clean foam by hand instead:
- Vacuum it with an upholstery attachment to lift dust, hair and debris.
- Spot-clean soiled areas with a damp cloth and a little mild, pet-safe soap. Dab and blot rather than soaking the foam.
- For odors, sprinkle baking soda over the dry insert, leave it 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum it up.
- Let it air dry completely before the cover goes back on. Airing the insert out on a dry day also refreshes it between cleanings.
The easiest foam insert to clean is one that never got wet. A waterproof insert cover, an add-on when you design your bed, sits over the insert under the outer cover and stops accidents and spills from soaking into the foam.
The waterproof insert cover itself washes like the outer cover: cold water, a delicate cycle and a mild detergent such as Woolite, then line dry.
How to Wash a Fiberfill Insert
Unlike foam, a fiberfill insert can go in the washing machine if it gets soiled:
- Close the zipper for good. Staple or sew the insert’s zipper shut so it can’t come open in the wash.
- Wash it in cold or warm water with your usual detergent.
- Dry it on a delicate setting with three tennis balls. The tennis balls keep the fill fluffed as it dries, so it doesn’t clump.
- Finish air drying if it’s still damp when it comes out of the dryer.
If a large insert won’t fit in your washer or dryer, take some of the fill out until it does, and wash the fill you removed in a mesh delicates laundry bag. Not sure which fill you have? Our fill guide explains each one.
Our beds don’t carry a care label. Instead, when your bed ships we email you a link to the care instructions, so you always have them to hand.
The Removable Seat Cover on Cuddle Beds
The Cuddle and Cozy Cuddle beds can have a removable seat cover: a separate cover for the seat insert, the part of the bed that sees the most use. It tucks into the corners of the bed and lifts out on its own, so you can wash just the seat without taking the whole bed cover off.
It isn’t an extra cushion. Your bed still has one seat insert, which sits inside the seat cover. While the seat cover is in the wash, put the insert back into the main bed cover, and your dog still has their spot.
Getting Rid of Odors and Stains
- Baking soda for general odors. Sprinkle it over the dry cover, leave it 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.
- Vinegar and water for stains. Equal parts in a spray bottle; dab it on and blot with a clean cloth.
- Pet-safe enzyme sprays break down the proteins in pet messes that cause lingering smells.
- Prevent the next one. A waterproof insert cover keeps liquid out of the insert, and a stain-resistant fabric helps on the outside.
Keeping the Fabric Looking New
- Rotate two covers. Alternating spreads the wear, so both last longer.
- Use a reversible design. Many of our beds are reversible, so flipping the cover gives you a fresh side and a new look between washes.
- Avoid fabric softener and harsh chemicals. They leave residue and break down fibers and stitching over time.
- Store it dry. Keep a spare cover or bed in a dry, well-ventilated place, folded in a breathable bag. Damp basements and garages invite mildew.
When to Replace a Cover or Insert
With good care a cover lasts a long time, but these signs mean it’s time for a change:
- An odor that’s still there after a thorough wash.
- Stains that no longer come out.
- Torn seams, frayed fabric or a broken zipper.
- An insert that’s noticeably flattened, lumpy or sagging, so it no longer supports your dog.
You usually don’t need a whole new bed. If the insert is still in good shape, a replacement cover gives the bed a second life in any fabric from our collection, with the same free embroidery as a new bed. For a J’adore bed you don’t need to measure: choose your bed style and the size you ordered. If the insert is the problem, order a replacement insert instead. You can also choose Cover Only when designing any bed to get a spare cover for laundry day.
