Introduction
Oh no! your new puppy has had an accident on his bed and you had just gone through many steps in order to train your pet to be housebroken. Accidents happen, even with dogs who have been potty trained to do their business outside so you must not punish your pet if he/she did.
The first step you must take in dealing with the pee stain is to first let go of any anger or frustration that you may have at that moment. This is important as some of us would easily be triggered by our pet urinating on his or her bed and now this makes the entire room smell bad.
Having no washing machine can only make your frustrations worse but there are simple home remedies to completely clean a stain, so first let that steam out in a peaceful manner.
Also do not take your anger on the dog, discipline your pet but do not beat him/her as they may just have had an accident, how would you feel if you were in the same embarrassing position?
Here are the steps I would recommend how to clean a dog bed with pee if an accident would have ever happened:
• The first step in cleaning a dog’s bed is to check the manufacturer’s instructions. Some manufacturers make beds out of different materials but most should be made of either stuffing or polyester materials.
Once you have determined the steps you would take in cleaning the bed you can then move to the next step. If there are no instructions available then look at your manufacturer’s website for more details on how to clean your dog’s bed.
• The second step in cleaning your dog’s bed is to remove any dust it may have on its surface. Dogs usually play outside and they often leave dirt, dust, fur, and other particles in their bed and with a washing machine that wouldn’t be a problem but just imagine if you don’t have one at home, what do you do?
A simple solution to that question is to use a vacuum cleaner on the bed to pick up all the particles that the bed may have left on it. In case you don’t have a vacuum cleaner either, there are other options like pet hair removers which should also get the job done.
• The next step is to wash the dog’s bed but here is where the manufacturer’s instructions come in. Some beds can be washer safe but others would be completely ruined if cleaned that way. If you have a bed that is not washer friendly then there are other options for you, just fill a bathtub or a bucket with hot water and hand wash it from there.
You must also use pet safe detergent in both scenarios and also use vinegar, both white and apple cider are fine, to fully clean the bed from the pee stain. If you have any questions about a detergent being safe for your pet then consult your veterinarian for more questions on what to use.
A veterinarian often can inform you on how to deal with a stained bed and may offer you some alternatives to your own detergent with ones that are pet safe.
• The next thing you must do is to clean the external dog cover, which usually involves the same methods as the bed itself. Some dog beds have an external dog cover like those seen in pillows and often have a zipper to remove it for the bed.
This cover needs to be cleaned separately as it could be a different material from the bed itself and may actually be washer friendly. Washing this cover would more often than not remove most of the smell and the stain, making your job a lot easier.
Waterproof covers
• If you have a waterproof bed covering then you have just saved yourself the trouble of cleaning the bed itself. Waterproof covers protect your dog’s bed from stains so if you don’t have one then it may be time to purchase it.
There are also options for buying waterproof covers for other objects in your house like mattresses and furniture so you might also invest in that as well. Waterproof covers are usually machine washable so you don’t have to worry about having to replace them.
• Another option, if you have a waterproof cover, is to have a stain remover, this usually comes in an aerosol form which is important in cleaning the protective sheet. Make sure that you have one that is pet safe and that it does not cause harm to your pooch. Stain removers often remove the stains completely and leave the bed clean and hygienic for your pet as well.
Foam based beds
• If you bought a bed that is made of memory foam then you cannot use a washing machine but there is a way to clean the stains out of it. The first thing you must do is to follow your manufacturer’s instructions and see how to clean the bed effectively.
This often involves using organic dishwasher soap and warm water on the memory foam. You then have to leave the bed for ten minutes so the soap sets down and does its work in removing the stain.
• After you let it sit for ten minutes, you must get a dry towel or cloth and press on the area remove the liquid. You must dab or press on the surface so it effectively removes all the liquid out of the memory foam, Never squeeze the foam or it will make a bigger stain than the one you are cleaning out and can permanently damage the bed.
• Leave the bed out to dry in the sun as much as it needs to be, this alone can take days so you must be patient. You must also leave the foam in a well ventilated area so it dries perfectly.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to clean a dog bed with pee, you must remember to be patient with the process as well as the training of your pet. Be mindful of the safety of the dog as well as its training as he/she is a friend for life and must make their lives as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Hopefully, you learned a valuable skill so that you and your pet don’t end up with a headache on how to deal with an embarrassing stain.
