Dog owners are being urged to try a simple 33p household trick that can freshen up smelly dog beds in as little as half an hour – without the need for pricey pet sprays or chemical cleaners. With winter forcing pets indoors for longer, damp fur, muddy walks, and constant heating can leave dog beds smelling musty quicker than usual. And once the odour settles into the fabric, it can spread through the whole room – not exactly the welcoming fragrance you would like ahead of festive get-togethers.
Dog beds smell worse in winter because wet fur and muddy paws trap moisture in the fabric, Also our homes are warmer, encouraging bacterial growth. Windows stay shut, reducing airflow and dogs are often lazier in the winter months and spend more time lying in the same spot.
Luckily, a pet digital PR expert from Pure Digital PR has revealed a budget-friendly method that neutralises bad smells.
The spokesperson explained: “Most dog bed smells come from trapped moisture and bacteria. Bicarbonate of soda absorbs both, which is why it works so quickly. It’s gentle, pet-safe, and costs roughly 33p per use when you’re using around 100g.”
If you don’t already have bicarbonate of soda stocked at home, a 180g bag from Sainsbury’s costs just 59p, meaning 100g works out at approximately 33p for this cleaning hack.
What you’ll need: 100g bicarbonate of soda (33p per use), Microfibre cloth, vacuum cleaner, lightly diluted fabric spray for the cover (optional).
How to do it
1. Remove the dog bed cover if it’s washable and put it through a normal wash
2. Sprinkle around 100g of bicarbonate of soda over the inner cushion or foam insert, making sure the corners and seams are covered
3. Leave it to sit for 15-30 minutes – long enough for the powder to absorb moisture and neutralise odours
4. Vacuum thoroughly to lift all the powder from the fabric
5. Wipe over with a microfibre cloth to ensure a smooth, clean finish
6. If the cover isn’t machine-washable, mist it with a diluted fabric spray and let it air dry
The expert from Pure Digital PR added, “Because bicarb works by absorbing the smell at the source, you don’t need to leave it on overnight. Even 15 minutes can make a huge difference.”
According to Dr. Kelly Reynolds, an associate professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona, dog owners should wash their pet’s bed weekly, not monthly.
Her research found that dog beds are among the top 10 germ hotspots in the entire house, often harbouring MRSA, faecal bacteria, and other pathogens that thrive in warm, fabric-heavy environments. This makes regular cleaning especially important during winter, when bacteria build-up increases.
