has anyone washed these dog beds that are filled with a mix of fluff and cedar chips? is it advisable?
I don’t think you are supposed to, but I have done it. With a front load washer and bed that wasn’t huge (if I can fit it thru the door of the machine, it is considered washable in this household!). It got a bit lumpy, but once dry, can fluff it some. It was worth a try as it was peed on, and it was either wash or toss. I’d make sure there aren’t any holes or failing seams as it would be quite the mess if it falls apart inside the washer!
I don’t put these non-washable beds in the machine. I sort of “hand wash” them.
I place the bed on my deck & soak it thoroughly with one of those pet deodorazer liquids. (With all my critters, I buy the stuff by the gallon.) I then let it stand in the sun, turning it over occasionally, for several hours. I then hose it through with fresh water, & then - weather permitting - either leave it on the deck to dry, or drape it over my outdoor clothesline. When thoroughly dry, I toss it into the dryer on the non-heat “fluff” setting.
Once you wash cedar chips, their flea protective ability is gone. Can’t you just wash the cover?
I put the stuffing in our dog beds in plastic garbage bags and put the plastic garbage bag back inside the dog bed cover (even with beds where the stuffing is in its own fabric bag separate from the cover). Ours are XL so had to use the lawn size bags. When they need washing, I just take the fabric cover off and throw it in the washing machine/dryer. Wipe the bag off. Fluff if needed, reassemble and done.
[QUOTE=Kryswyn;6565505]
Once you wash cedar chips, their flea protective ability is gone. Can’t you just wash the cover?[/QUOTE]
You could refresh them - it’s the cedar oil that’s doing the trick anyway, and that sort of fades after a while no matter what. Just buy some cedar essential oil (NOT fragrance oil, you want actual cedar stuff) and apply. You don’t want to soak it in oil so either fish out a few chips and apply a couple drops to each and let them soak in for a bit then toss them back in, or what I would probably do is put a few drops of the cedar oil in a spray bottle with something to dilute it like rubbing alcohol, shake, spray inner bedding.
