Dogs peeing, drooling, and coming in to lie down in their beds after jumping in the rain can pose a problem when that liquid has nowhere to go. Our homes start smelling.
As owners, we can solve this issue through waterproofing. Here’s how we can do that!
How to waterproof a dog bed?
The most common method is to use a waterproof cloth to cover the foam while waterproofing a dog bed. Start with a clean and dry dog bed. The foam is the part of the bed most likely to get water damage since it is the most absorbent. Protecting it with a cover will effectively waterproof the dog bed.
Table of Contents
Here are the 7 steps through which you can waterproof your puppy’s bed:
Step 1: Collect everything you’ll need
You’ll need a waterproof material like a bin liner and your dog bed.
Step 2: Remove the mattress
Take the mattress out of the cover.
Step 3: Clean and dry the dog mattress
Clean the dog bed of any urine, rainwater, mud, vomit, etc. This is a crucial step to getting rid of the bad smells. Wait until all is fully dried before moving on.
Step 4: Wrap mattress in waterproof material
The mattress or foam is the most absorbent part of your dog bed. It will retain moisture more than other areas. So, it is more susceptible to water damage. To protect this area, we cover the foam completely in a waterproof material. These are things like garbage bin liners, shower curtains, plastic bags, etc.
Step 5: Get rid of the soiled cover or wash it
To relieve your house of the bad smells once and for all, it’s best to replace the cover with a new one. If you think it can still work, wash the covering thoroughly with a detergent until it smells brand new!
Step 6: Place the waterproof foam in the cover
Now, your foam is waterproof. Any liquid dropping over it will bounce right off! You only have to keep your cover changes frequent to prevent issues because the liquid will never touch the actual bed, i.e. the mattress.
Step 7: (Optional) For further proofing, cover the mattress with a weather blanket
If your dog has additional issues or is simply more prone to getting into sticky messes, you might be anxious about plastic working well enough. In that case, you will want extra protection.
A weather blanket, or space/emergency blanket, is a thin plastic sheet that reflects heat. It’s usually used to cover people’s bodies when they are losing too much heat too fast, like after a marathon.
It also has uses in DIY home projects for solar. You can use this to cover your dog bed’s foam! It’s the best option for dogs with bladder control problems. Use this over a mattress covered with a bin liner for best results.
How Do You Pee Proof a Dog Bed for Dogs With Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is a common issue with dogs. Especially if your dog is a grandpa in dog years, leaks and loss of bladder control occur. Sometimes, this happens because your dog is sick. So, you’re not only worrying about urinary incontinence but vomiting as well.
To pee-proof a dog bed for these types of dogs, you should use a material like a space blanket. Space blankets are thin sheets of plastic that reflect heat. They’re great for extra protection. Simply cover your dog’s mattress with a bin liner. Then, wrap that with the blanket. Finally, use your bed cover over your creation. Now, your dog is good to sleep on the bed!
Waterproofing Alternatives for Dog Beds
If you’re not comfortably waterproofing your dog bed from the inside, there are several ways to achieve similar proofing. Here are some alternatives:
Use a waterproof cover
Waterproof covers for dog beds are easily available. You can go to your local pet store and find them. This will relieve you of any need to modify the inner foam of your dog bed.
Use a bin liner
Bin liners are made waterproof! That’s how they can keep our trash cans and garbage bins looking so spotless even after we throw eggshells into them. So, you can safely cover your dog’s bed with these liners. Tie them up with rubber bands or tuck them into the underside so they don’t move.
Use a plastic mat
Plastic is the perfect waterproof material. It’s also cheap which makes using them easy.
However, if you’re environmentally conscious, it’s best to use a more durable material as you will likely be replacing any clawed-out plastic. Your dog may not enjoy the sounds during movement either.
Use a space blanket
Space blanket over the bed will go a long way in proofing your dog’s bed. Beware though, since the material is so reflective and shiny, your dog will be sensitive to it. It looks like aluminum foil.
Cover with a shower curtain
Shower curtains can keep out water from dropping our bathroom tiles. It does a great job at keeping urine away from your dog’s mattress, too.
Use a faux leather cover
Faux leather is completely waterproof and quite stylish. They also don’t cling onto fur, so it’s popular for dog owners.
Aside from buying waterproof covers, adding in an element will work for you in the short term only. So, it’s a good solution when your dog is sick. But since dogs are rowdy and prone to tearing things, it’s likely some urine will still seep into the foam. This can be a hassle in the long run. Fully waterproofing your dog bed will save you time and money.
But these can be great options if your dog tends to sneak into your bed.
What Waterproof Materials Can Be Used to Make Dog Bed?
The following waterproof materials can be used for a dog bed:
- Bin Liner
- Plastic
- Ripstop Nylon With Special Coating
- Ripstop Polyester With Special Coating
- Nylon Taffeta
- PVC Coated Polyester
- Polyester Fleece With Water-Repellent Coating
- Microfiber With Waterproof Coating
- Space Blanket
- Shower Curtain
- Faux Leather or Pleather
- PUL Fabric (Polyurethane Laminate)
- TPU Fabric (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
- Laminated Cotton
- Oil Cloth
- Vinyl
- Coated Oxford Fabric
How to Wash a Waterproof Dog Bed?
Follow these steps to wash a waterproof dog bed:
How to wash waterproof small beds with cover:
- Step 1: Remove the cover
- Step 2: Take out the foam or mattress
- Step 3: Put the foam or mattress in the washing machine
- Step 4: Put the cover in the wash separately.
How to wash waterproof large beds with cover:
- Step 1: Take the bed outside
- Step 2: Use a spray of soap and water to spray all over the bed
- Step 3: Wash well using your hands and the water
- Step 4: Make sure you don’t use bleach, but any soap is fine
- Step 5: Using a water hose, wash off the soapy suds
- Step 6: Let the bed dry outside
How to wash waterproof beds with non-removable cover:
- Step 1: First, vacuum the bed cover to remove all the hairs, fur, etc.
- Step 2: Soak in lukewarm and soapy water for around 15 minutes
- Step 3: Using your hands, press down and try to push out most of the dirtied water.
- Step 4: Do this a few times.
- Step 5: Then using a sponge and some baking soda, scrub the bed through and through
- Step 6: Rinse until the bed is clear of all of the soap suds and baking soda
- Step 7: Let dry outside
How to Clean a Waterproof Dog Bed?
Follow these steps to clean a waterproof dog bed without a washer:
Hand wash the dog bed
You can wash your dog bed with simple tools in your bathroom or backyard. Soak the dog bed in soap and water, then rinse thoroughly.
Air the dog bed
Sometimes, for non-heavy cleaning, you can let your dog bed sit outside in the sun for a day or two. This will dry it of any spills and the heat will serve to remove the bacteria.
Baking soda and vinegar
Using a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, hot water, and powder soap scrub your dog bed. While it won’t be as thorough as soaking, you can get rid of microorganisms living on the surface.
Vacuum the dog bed
Regularly vacuuming the dog bed is a good habit. Vacuuming will get rid of built-up dirt, grease, and fur.
Dog beds can get dirty quickly. There’s no saying when our rowdy friends might have an accidental leak, especially if they’re old and sick.
To prevent smell and water damage, we can make use of various waterproof materials to keep dog beds dry. It’s an easy project to undertake and gives you the mental peace you wanted!