How To Clean A Labrador Dog Bed

I’ve washed more dog bed covers than most people wash loads of laundry. I’ve got a 75-pound black lab named Duke who treats a new bed like a personal challenge, and an eleven-year-old rescue, Penny, whose hips are so bad she needs the support of a good mattress. Between the two of them, I’ve gone through almost $1,000 worth of beds in the last three years. The ones that survive aren’t the most expensive, and they aren’t the ones with the prettiest marketing. They’re the ones that come apart in the washing machine and go back together without a fight.

This guide is about how to clean a labrador dog bed without destroying it, losing the zipper, or ending up with a lump of foam that looks like a deflated balloon. I’ve learned the hard way that the washing machine is the real test of a bed’s value, and I’m going to show you the exact routine that keeps my shop from smelling like a kennel.

Why you should trust me

I spent ten years as a dog trainer before I started reviewing beds full-time. I’ve tested over forty of them, and I keep a measurement notebook where I track foam density, sink depth, and seam integrity. I’ve cut beds open to check what’s inside, and I’ve washed more covers than I can count. When I tell you a bed is easy to clean, it’s because I’ve put it through the washer dozens of times, not because I read the spec sheet.

How I picked

My criteria are simple: the cover has to survive the washer, the zipper has to survive the dryer, and the foam has to survive the dog. I wash every bed I review at least three times, on a normal cycle with regular detergent, and I dry everything on low heat. I check for zipper death, seam splitting, and shrinkage. I also track cost per day, which is the only honest way to compare a $40 bed that lasts three months against a $150 bed that lasts three years.

Here’s the short list of what I’ve learned works best, and what I’d buy with my own money.

| Visit on Amazon → PetFusion Waterproof Crate Mat | Check price | Dense 4 lb foam, waterproof layers, company replaces damaged beds fast | Not chew-proof, heavy to lug around | | MidWest Microfiber Crate Mat
Visit on Amazon → MidWest Microfiber Crate Mat| Check price | Soft, machine washable, holds shape in a crate for years | Fabric punctures easily, slides on hard floors |

How to clean a labrador dog bed, step by step

Before I get to the specific beds, let’s talk about the routine that works for every bed in my house. I do this every two weeks, and it keeps the dog stink down to a manageable level.

First, strip the cover off. If the bed has an inner cover and an outer cover, like the K9 Ballistics does, take both off. Check the zippers before you wash. If a zipper is already struggling, it’s going to die in the machine. I’ve tested fourteen broken zippers, and every single one of them failed because I threw the cover in without checking the track first.

Second, vacuum the foam core. Don’t put the foam in the washer. Memory foam absorbs water like a sponge, and it takes days to dry. If you wash the foam, you’ll end up with a lumpy, mildewed mess. Vacuum it, spot clean it with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, and let it air out.

Third, wash the covers on a gentle cycle with cold water. Use a mild detergent, nothing with bleach or fabric softener. Fabric softener breaks down the waterproof coating on beds like the PetFusion, and it leaves a residue that attracts dirt. If the cover has a waterproof layer, skip the dryer and hang it up. The heat will crack the membrane.

Fourth, dry the covers on low heat, or air dry them if you have the time. The dryer is where zippers die. The metal teeth expand and contract with the heat, and after a few cycles, the track stretches and the zipper starts to split. Air drying takes longer, but it doubles the life of the cover.

The K9 Ballistics Tough Bed

This is the bed I recommend when someone asks what to get for a lab that chews. The ballistic fabric is the real deal. Duke spent three weeks digging at the corner of this bed, and it still looked new. That’s astonishing for a bed in my house. The foam is dense, around 3 pounds per cubic foot, which is enough to support Penny’s hips without letting her sink too deep. The outer cover and the inner cover both wash, and the inner waterproof layer has held up through a dozen washes without cracking.

The cleaning routine on this one is the most involved of any bed I’ve tested, but it’s worth it. The outer cover zips off, and the inner cover zips off separately. You can wash the inner cover without touching the foam, which is smart engineering. The downside is that getting the cover back on is a two-person job. The fabric is stiff, and the zipper track is tight. I’ve spent ten minutes wrestling with it while Duke watches me like I’m an idiot.

One buyer, writing in March 2025, called it “a bit of a wrestle to get the cover on, but it fits well.” I’d say that’s accurate. The other annoyance is that there are no handles, so carrying it from the washer to the drying rack is awkward. At this price, handles aren’t optional.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: the cover is noisy when the dogs move around, and the lack of handles is a real oversight. But the durability is unmatched, and the washing machine hasn’t killed it yet. If your dog is a moderate chewer, this is the bed. If your dog is a determined chewer, you need a different strategy entirely.

The PetFusion Waterproof Crate Mat

This is the bed for senior dogs. Penny’s slept on it for months, and it’s the only bed that gives her enough footing to get up without struggling. The foam is dense, around 4 pounds per cubic foot, and it doesn’t flatten out after a few weeks of use. The raised bumpers on two sides give her something to rest her head against, and she uses them every single night.

The waterproofing works. I’ve had dogs soil this bed, and the foam stayed clean. The cover system has multiple layers between the dog and the foam, which is smart engineering. When I wash it, I take off the outer cover, vacuum the foam, and spot clean any accidents. The outer cover is machine washable, and it’s survived a dozen washes without shrinking or losing its shape.

The customer service is the real standout here. Multiple reviewers, and I’ve had the same experience, report that when something went wrong, the company shipped a replacement immediately. That’s worth something. When a product fails, how the company handles it matters. One buyer, writing in February 2025, said her dog “loves this bed” and that the company “couldn’t have been more helpful” when she had a question about the cover.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: it’s not chew-proof. If you have a dog who’s going to treat it like a chew toy, this isn’t the bed for you. And at $120, it’s not cheap. But for a senior dog who needs joint support and a bed that won’t turn into a swamp after the first accident, this is the one I’d buy again.

The MidWest Microfiber Crate Mat

This is a good bed for the right situation, which is a crate, a carrier, or a catio. It’s soft, machine washable, and it holds its shape in a crate, which is more than I can say for most beds. One reviewer’s had four of them for years, washing them weekly, and they’ve held up. That’s real durability for a non-chew product.

At $30, this is the budget pick. It’s not going to win any awards for orthopedic support, and the foam is on the thin side. But for a dog who just sleeps in a crate and doesn’t have joint issues, it’s a solid, affordable choice. The cover zips off easily, and it goes through the washer without any drama. No zipper death, no shrinking, no pilling.

The main complaint I’ve seen, and I’ve experienced it myself, is that it slips on hard surfaces. The fabric is slick, and the mat slides around on a plastic crate tray. Add non-slip pads underneath, and it’s a better product. One buyer said the mat “is easily ripped by his nails,” which is a fair warning. This isn’t a bed for a dog who digs or scratches.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: the fabric punctures easily, and it slides. But for the price, and for the situation it’s designed for, it’s hard to beat. If you have a dog who just sleeps in a crate and doesn’t have joint issues, this is the bed.

The competition

I’ve tested a lot of beds that didn’t make the cut. The ones that lost either failed the washing machine test, the chew test, or the sink test. A big box store brand with 1.5 pound foam looked good on the shelf but flattened out in a month. A “luxury” bed with a plush cover felt amazing but the zipper died after three washes. And a “chew-proof” bed from a brand I won’t name lasted exactly four days before Duke opened a hole in it.

The beds I’ve picked here aren’t perfect. But they’re the ones that survived my house, and they’re the ones I’d buy with my own money. If you have a chewer, get the K9 Ballistics and accept the firmness. If you have a senior dog, get the PetFusion and don’t worry about chewing. And if you’re on a budget, the MidWest mat is fine for a crate, but add non-slip pads underneath because it slides. That’s it. That’s the whole decision.