Old towels, sheets, blankets, T-shirts and just about any other fabric item can be torn into strips and used to fill a dog bed. Recycling these items saves money and benefits the environment by keeping them out of the landfill. Most of the time recycled dog bed filling can be washed and reused if your dog has an accident or if the bed picks up an odor. Large comforters and blankets can be folded and stuffed into the dog bed.
The best fill material for your dogs bed depends on his health and the amount of odor control needed. Younger dogs still learning the basics of house training probably will do best with fillers that are easy to either launder or replace, while older dogs need filling that offers firm support.
Fiber fill or polyester fill frequently is used in pillows and stuffed animals. It adds bulk and softness without the firmness of other materials. Like wood chips, fiber fill is inexpensive and easy to use, and is ideal for beds where the fill might need to be replaced regularly. Fiber fill will hold onto odors and can clump up when washed. It also compacts over time and can make a large mess if your dog rips open the bed and scatters the filling.
Several types of foam are ideal for dog bed filling, including foam chips, pellets, sheets and memory foam. Chips and pellets are used in the same way as wood chips, but provide additional softness and support. They also allow the bed to shape to your dogs body each time he lays down. Foam sheets, either standard or memory foam, are more difficult to take in and out of a dog bed for cleaning and replacement, but offer excellent support. They are ideal for older dogs with arthritis or for dogs with injuries or recovering from surgery.
Wood chips are inexpensive and easy to add to your dogs bed regardless of the size or shape. Aromatic chips, such as cedar, absorb doggie odors and repel fleas. Although wood chips offer some padding, they are not as soft and comfortable as other types of fillers and may not offer the support older or injured dogs need. Some dogs may not like the smell or find it irritating and some people are allergic or dislike the scent of wood chips. Aromatic wood also may make it difficult for hunting dogs to use their sense of smell.
Wash Inside and Outside Materials Separate
To wash the inner and outer materials, you need to separate them. Separating them is typically very simple since you only need to unzip or open the bed and remove the stuffing.
If the stuffing can be washed per the instructions, you can place the washer on the gentle cycle for wool. However, how you wash the stuffing also depends on how dirty it is.
If it’s not very dirty or the outer cover is where most of the dirt is, it’s probably safe to wash the cover and place the stuffing back in without washing it. But, if the stuffing is very dirty, you may need to wash it by hand.
If you wash it by hand, ensure it’s done inside of a pillowcase.
old pillows and down comforters are particularly helpful when filling our larger sizes like our 42 inch round and huge size beds. “my dogs seem to be pretty finicky about what beds they like and dont like, and when we do find one they like, they manage to destroy them pretty easily. however, since this bed is filled with clothes and towels that smell like us, they dont want to destroy them and even favor these beds over all other beds!”
How To Wash A Dog Bed With Stuffing
Keeping your dogs’ beds washed is imperative for their hygiene and wellbeing. It’s very easy to forget or dismiss it. However, this can lead to problems for your pup and your home.
Dogs are very adventurous by nature, and that leads to them being in various environments. Unfortunately, in these environments, they can quickly pick up bacteria, germs, and other particles in their fur.
Over time these particles get trapped in their beds and can lead to many issues. These particles can also travel throughout the home with bacteria attached to them, becoming a danger even for owners.
Ensuring your dog’s bed is cleaned regularly can help put an end to any of these issues. Thankfully, you can go about cleaning your dog’s bed in different ways.
Each method gives the bed a close clean so that it can stay fresh while eliminating any potential germs and bacteria from the inside out.