Laundry Detergent for Homes with Pets: How to Wash Pet Beds, Blankets and Clothes

2026-07-04 3 min. skaitymo

If you share your home with a dog or cat, laundry detergent becomes more than just a product for caring for clothes. It's used for blankets, pet beds, covers, towels after walks and clothes that pick up hair or odours. What matters here isn't simply a strong fragrance, but genuinely removing dirt, body oils, saliva and damp smells.

Mistake number one: washing the pet bed only once it already smells strongly

Pet beds and blankets build up odour gradually. By the time the smell is very noticeable, they often contain not just surface dirt but also deeply absorbed oils and moisture. That's why it's better to keep to a regular routine: wash blankets more often, and pet bed covers according to use and the care label instructions.

If the smell persists even after washing, it's worth reading our guide on laundry detergent for sweat odour. The principle is similar: odours often return because of oily residue in the fabric.

How to prepare laundry before washing

First, shake off the hair or use a lint roller.
If there's mud, let it dry and brush it off before washing.
Don't wash pet beds together with everyday clothes.
If the fabric allows, choose a longer cycle and a thorough rinse.
Don't overfill the drum, as bulky blankets and beds need room to move.

Which laundry detergent should you choose for pet textiles?

Choose a laundry detergent that works well on organic dirt and doesn't rely on a strong fragrance alone. A strong scent may seem pleasant to people, but it can be too intense for pets and still fail to remove the cause of the problem.

If you wash often, a liquid product is more convenient, as it's easier to dose and can be applied directly to a stain before washing when needed.

What to do with towels and blankets after rain

Damp towels and blankets quickly start to smell if they're left bundled up. It's better to dry them or wash them the same day. Read more about odour problems in textiles in the article Laundry Detergent for Towels and Bed Linen.

If the items are large, it's better to wash a smaller amount per cycle. An overloaded drum is one of the most common reasons why odours return after washing.

Related Ecozyme guides

In homes with pets, what matters most is regular washing, a drum that isn't overfilled and a well-chosen laundry detergent for clothes and household textiles.