Your dog's bed takes a beating. Muddy paws, drool, shed fur, the occasional accident — a Kong dog bed can start looking (and smelling) tired long before it wears out. The good news is that most Kong beds are built to be washed. The bad news is that one wrong move — hot water, bleach, or a high-heat dryer cycle — can shrink the cover, clump the filling, or warp the shape for good. This guide shows you exactly how to wash a Kong dog bed without ruining it, step by step.
Can You Wash a Kong Dog Bed?
Yes — in most cases. Most Kong beds have a removable cover that can go in the washing machine, while the inner cushion or foam insert is usually spot-cleaned or hand-washed. Kong makes bolster beds, flat mats, crate pads, and plush loungers, and care instructions can differ between styles, so always read the care label sewn into your bed first. It tells you whether the cover is machine washable, which water temperature to use, and whether tumble drying is allowed. KONG's own guidance for fabric items is cold water on a delicate cycle, skipping the dryer — a safe default when the label is faded or missing.
What You Will Need
Gather everything before you start so you are not hunting for supplies with a wet bed in your hands:
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush or upholstery attachment (or a lint roller)
- A mild, fragrance-free laundry detergent — ideally one labelled pet-safe or dye-free
- Baking soda for odour removal
- An enzyme-based stain remover for accidents and stubborn spots
- White vinegar (optional, for a deodorising rinse)
- A large basin or bathtub, if you plan to hand wash
- Old towels and a drying rack or clothesline
- A soft brush for fluffing the bed after drying
Skip the bleach and skip fabric softener. Bleach can damage the fabric and irritate your dog's skin, and fabric softener coats the fibres and leaves a residue your dog will lie on all night.
How to Wash a Kong Dog Bed in 6 Steps
Step 1: Read the Care Label
Check the sewn-in care tag for washing symbols and written instructions. Note whether the cover is removable, whether the whole bed or only the cover can be machine washed, and the maximum water temperature. If the tag has worn away, treat the bed as hand-wash-only and use cold water.
Step 2: Vacuum and Shake Out Loose Dirt
Take the bed outside and give it a good shake, then vacuum every surface — top, sides, seams, and underneath. This matters more than it looks: washing a bed full of loose hair just moves the hair into your washing machine filter, and dirt ground into wet fabric is much harder to remove.
Step 3: Remove the Cover
Unzip the cover and slide the inner cushion or foam insert out. If the cover has a waterproof liner, remove that too and wipe it down separately. Close all zippers before washing — an open zipper can snag and tear the fabric in the machine.
Step 4: Pre-Treat Stains and Smells
Dab (never rub) an enzyme-based stain remover onto each stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. For general odour, sprinkle baking soda generously over the cover, leave it for 30 minutes, then vacuum it off. Baking soda absorbs smells without adding fragrance, and it is safe for the fabric.
Step 5: Wash the Cover — and the Insert, If the Label Allows
For a machine-washable cover, wash it alone or with similar soft items such as towels. Use cold water, a gentle or delicate cycle, and a small amount of mild detergent. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle if the bed still smells.
For the inner cushion, follow the label. Fibre-filled inserts can often be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a front-load machine (or a top-load machine without a centre agitator). Solid foam inserts should never go in the washing machine — the agitation can crack or tear the foam. Hand wash those: fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of mild detergent, submerge the insert, gently squeeze the soapy water through it, then rinse until no soap remains.
Step 6: Dry Completely and Reassemble
Air drying is the safest option for both cover and insert. Hang the cover on a line or lay it flat in a well-ventilated spot, turning it once so both sides dry. If the care label allows tumble drying, use the lowest heat setting and add a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls to keep the filling from clumping. Do not put the bed back together until every part is completely dry — a damp insert trapped inside a cover is a perfect recipe for mildew and lingering smells.
Machine Wash vs Hand Wash: Which Is Right for Your Bed?
| Bed part | Machine wash | Hand wash |
|---|---|---|
| Removable fabric cover | Yes — cold water, gentle cycle | Yes — lukewarm water, mild detergent |
| Fibre-filled insert | Yes, if the label allows and it fits loosely in the drum | Yes — squeeze gently, never wring |
| Solid foam insert | No — agitation can crack the foam | Yes — soak and squeeze only |
| Waterproof liner | Usually no — wipe clean instead | Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap |
| Whole bed, no removable cover | Only if the label says so and it fits | Usually the safest option |
When in doubt, hand wash. It takes longer, but it is the option that never damages a bed.
How to Remove Stains and Smells From a Kong Dog Bed
- General odour: baking soda, sprinkled on and left for 30 minutes before vacuuming, handles most everyday smells.
- Accidents and urine spots: blot up as much as possible first, then apply an enzyme-based cleaner and let it work for at least 15 minutes before washing. Enzyme cleaners break down the compounds that cause lingering smells, which regular detergent alone often misses.
- Muddy paw prints: let the mud dry completely, brush it off, then pre-treat any remaining mark with a little detergent before washing.
- Greasy or oily patches: sprinkle baking soda on the spot, leave it for an hour to absorb the oil, vacuum, then wash as normal.
Never use bleach on a Kong dog bed. It weakens the fabric, can leave residue that irritates your dog's skin, and will fade the cover. The American Kennel Club's guide to cleaning a dog bed makes the same point: gentle, fragrance-free detergent and thorough drying matter far more than harsh chemicals.
How to Dry a Kong Dog Bed Without Damaging It
Drying mistakes cause more damage than washing mistakes. High heat shrinks covers, melts waterproof coatings, and turns fluffy fibre filling into hard lumps:
- Air dry whenever possible. Hang the cover in sunlight or a breezy spot — sunlight also helps freshen the fabric naturally.
- If you tumble dry, use low heat only and only when the care label allows it. Check every 20 minutes and remove the cover as soon as it is dry.
- Fluff fibre inserts as they dry — break up clumps by hand and shake the insert out several times. A thick insert can take 24 hours or more to dry fully.
- Never reassemble a damp bed. Press your hand deep into the centre of the insert — if you feel any coolness or dampness, give it more time.
5 Mistakes That Ruin a Kong Dog Bed
- Washing in hot water. Hot water shrinks cotton covers and can set stains permanently. Cold or lukewarm water cleans just as well with the right detergent.
- Using bleach or fabric softener. Bleach damages fabric and irritates skin; softener leaves a coating that traps smells and reduces the fabric's breathability.
- Tumble drying on high heat. The fastest way to shrink a cover and clump the filling. Low heat or air dry, always.
- Machine washing a solid foam insert. The spin cycle can crack or tear foam beyond repair. Hand wash foam, every time.
- Putting the bed back together while damp. Trapped moisture breeds mildew and a smell that no amount of washing will fix afterwards. Wait until it is bone dry.
Kong Dog Bed Wash-Day Checklist
Save this list for wash day:
- ☐ Read the care label and note the washing method
- ☐ Shake the bed outside and vacuum all surfaces
- ☐ Unzip and remove the cover; close all zippers before washing
- ☐ Pre-treat stains with an enzyme cleaner (15 minutes)
- ☐ Sprinkle baking soda for odour; vacuum after 30 minutes
- ☐ Machine wash the cover: cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent
- ☐ Hand wash foam inserts; never machine wash solid foam
- ☐ Rinse thoroughly — no soap residue left behind
- ☐ Air dry or tumble dry on low; fluff inserts while drying
- ☐ Check the centre of the insert is fully dry before reassembling
- ☐ Wipe the washing machine filter and door seal after the load
How Often Should You Wash a Kong Dog Bed?
Vacuum the bed at least once a week to keep fur and dirt under control. A full wash every two to four weeks is right for most dogs. Wash more often — weekly, even — if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, swims regularly, sheds heavily, or has had an accident on the bed. The AKC recommends washing dog bedding weekly as a good baseline, and the ASPCA's general pet care guidance likewise stresses keeping bedding clean as part of everyday care. If the bed smells, it is already overdue — do not wait for a schedule.
Between washes, shake the bed out every couple of days and keep a spare cover on hand so you can swap a dirty one for a clean one without waiting for laundry day. If you are choosing a new bed, check whether the cover is removable before you buy. Our guide to whether orthopedic dog beds are worth it covers what to look for in a bed that will last, and our cooling mat guide is handy if your dog overheats on thick beds in summer. For the rest of your pet's gear, see our pet fountain cleaning guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a Kong dog bed in the washing machine?
Most Kong dog bed covers can be machine washed on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent — but check the care label first. Solid foam inserts should never go in the machine; hand wash those instead.
Can I put a Kong dog bed in the dryer?
Only if the care label allows it, and only on the lowest heat setting. Air drying is safer and is the method KONG itself recommends for fabric items. Never use high heat — it shrinks covers and clumps filling.
How do I wash a Kong dog bed without a removable cover?
Vacuum it thoroughly, spot-clean stains with mild detergent and a damp cloth, then hand wash the whole bed in a bathtub with lukewarm water and mild detergent. Squeeze gently, rinse well, and air dry completely.
What detergent is safe for a Kong dog bed?
A mild, fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent is the safest choice. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and strongly scented detergents. KONG's own FAQ advises cold water, a delicate cycle, and skipping the dryer for fabric items — see KONG's official FAQ.
How do I get the smell out of a Kong dog bed?
Start with baking soda: sprinkle it on, leave it for 30 minutes, and vacuum it off. For stubborn smells, wash the cover with half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle, and use an enzyme-based cleaner on any accident spots before washing. Make sure the bed is completely dry before your dog uses it again.
How often should I wash my dog's bed?
Vacuum weekly and wash the bed fully every two to four weeks. Wash weekly if your dog is very active outdoors, sheds a lot, or has had an accident on the bed. If it smells, wash it now rather than waiting.
Conclusion
Washing a Kong dog bed is simple once you know the rules: read the care label, vacuum first, wash the cover cold and gentle, hand wash any solid foam, and dry everything completely before putting it back together. Avoid hot water, bleach, and high heat, and the bed will stay fresh and comfortable for years instead of months.
While the bed is drying, why not find out how old your dog really is in human years with our free dog age calculator? It takes less than a minute — and it is a fun way to pass the time while your dog waits (impatiently) for their clean bed to come back.
