Cedar dog beds help to absorb pet odors and repel fleas. They also have a distinct fresh smell. Over time, a cedar dog bed's cover may become dirty or soiled; meanwhile, the cedar shavings will lose their scent. At this point, a good cleaning is necessary, as is the addition of cedar. If you're buying a new bed, look for one with a removable cover to make cleaning easier.
Removable Cover Bed
Step 1
Unzip the bed cover and pour the old cedar chips into a garbage bag for disposal.
Step 2
Read the care label on the bed cover and follow directions. Some beds must be hand-washed and air-dried. If you hand-wash, fill a bathtub with warm water, mild laundry soap and 1/4 cup of vinegar for odors. Wash, rinse, and dry as directed. For machine-washing, add mild laundry detergent and 1/4 cup of vinegar.
Step 3
Add enough of the new cedar chips to fill the bed as desired. Adding more chips will provide a fluffy cushion for your pooch. Zip the cover closed and your cleaning is complete.
Non-Removable Cover Bed
Step 1
Cut open a small section of the bed seam using a seam ripper or scissors. Pour the cedar chips out into a garbage bag for disposal.
Step 2
Wash the outer bed material by hand using mild detergent and ¼ cup of vinegar. Rinse well and allow to air dry.
Step 3
Fill the bed cover with new cedar chips. Using a needle and thread, sew up the bed opening to secure the cedar chips inside.
Warnings
Cedar can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. If you notice that your dog is itching on a regular basis, talk with your veterinarian about possible allergies.
Tips
To reduce cleaning times, cover your cedar bed with a lightweight blanket. Wash the blanket as needed.
Wash your dog bed at the same time you bathe your dog. A dirty dog on a clean bed will only speed up the time to the next cleaning.
If the cedar chips still give off a strong aroma andy you need to clean just a stain or smell on the outside of the bed, you may get away with not replacing the chips. A good rule of thumb is to replace the chips when the aroma diminishes.
Items You Will Need
- Garbage bag
- Mild detergent
- Vinegar
- Bag of cedar chips
- Seam ripper or scissors
- Needle and thread
References
Tips
- To reduce cleaning times, cover your cedar bed with a lightweight blanket. Wash the blanket as needed.
- Wash your dog bed at the same time you bathe your dog. A dirty dog on a clean bed will only speed up the time to the next cleaning.
- If the cedar chips still give off a strong aroma andy you need to clean just a stain or smell on the outside of the bed, you may get away with not replacing the chips. A good rule of thumb is to replace the chips when the aroma diminishes.
Warnings
- Cedar can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. If you notice that your dog is itching on a regular basis, talk with your veterinarian about possible allergies.
Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.