A cat bed may have a washable cover, a separate insert, or parts that should stay out of the washer. Remove loose hair carefully, then let the bed’s care instructions decide whether and how it can be washed.
Quick take: Work on dry, removable parts first, check the maker’s label, and wash only the components and settings the instructions permit.
Lift loose hair while the cover is dry
If the bed has a removable cover, unzip it only if the design allows it. Lay the dry cover flat and lift loose hair with your hand, a compatible lint roller, or another gentle tool that the material can handle. Try a small hidden area first if the fabric is delicate. For a fixed or bulky bed, do not force seams apart; remove what you can reach with a suitable dry tool.
Set the collected fur aside before moving the cover to the laundry area. If the bed has an insert, foam, non-removable trim, or attached hardware, check whether the manufacturer gives separate cleaning directions for those parts.
Check the label before using the washer
Read the bed’s tag or product instructions for wash method, temperature, cycle, and drying. The Whirlpool blanket guide likewise recommends following an item’s care label and manufacturer instructions because materials can require different care. Check your washer’s manual too if the cover is bulky or the load may exceed its capacity.
Wash only the parts the instructions allow and use the listed cycle and drying method. If the tag is missing, avoid guessing about foam or fixed components; ask the bed maker or use its recommended spot-cleaning method. For more cat-hair cleanup ideas, see our cat-hair cleanup guide.
The care label decides whether the bed can go in the washer; hair-removal prep does not replace the wash instructions.
Optional tool for this routine
For a sturdy removable bed cover laid flat and supported, compare a reusable pet-hair roller for pre-wash bedding cleanup (paid link to Amazon) (ChomChom Roller Original Size, on Amazon). ChomChom Roller Original Size collects hair in a chamber without adhesive sheets. Check both the cover label and roller instructions first. This optional dry-prep tool does not make foam, backing, trim, or an otherwise non-washable bed safe to put in the washer.
Keep using an existing suitable tool if it already does the job. Test an inconspicuous patch with light pressure and stop if fibers catch or the texture changes. This is a household cleanup tool, not a grooming tool for use on your cat or dog.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.