Hey everyone, Sam here from your go-to cat bed supplier—yeah, the guy who’s spent way too long testing beds on his own gremlins (shoutout to Mochi and Luna, the two fluff balls that judge every product we send out). Today we’re talking about something I get DMs about every single week: “Sam, how do I actually disinfect my cat’s bed without accidentally turning it into a crime scene? Or worse, making my cat hate it?” Cat Bed
Let’s be real—when you love cats (which I’m assuming you do, since you’re here), their beds are basically luxury condos. Your cat napped there through your bad day, probably left a hair souvenir or two, and let’s be honest—maybe a little “surprise” if they felt extra comfortable. So disinfecting isn’t just about keeping things “clean” (though that’s big for allergy-sufferers too); it’s about keeping that safe, cozy zone they refuse to use when you launder it wrong. No one wants their cat to crash on your laundry pile instead of their bed, right?
First, let’s cut through the noise. I’ve seen people dump bleach all over beds, use harsh chemicals that burn cats’ noses, and even toss beds in the dryer at 200 degrees (RIP that memory foam bed someone sent us a pic of—curled up like a taco). As a cat bed supplier, I’ve tested every method here on our own product lines, plus my two troublemakers, so this is all stuff that actually works, no fluff (pun very intended).
Let’s start with the basics: what even needs disinfecting vs. just regular cleaning? If your cat is healthy, eats well, and isn’t leaving weird stains, regular vacuuming and laundering is enough. But if they’ve had a little tummy issue (we won’t judge), or someone in the house has allergies, or you just want to deep-clean to avoid that “old bed smell,” that’s when we level up to disinfection.
First, let’s break this down by bed type, because not all cat beds are created equal. We make everything from soft, removable-cover plush beds to memory foam donuts and outdoor cat beds (for the stray crew or porch panther friends). You can’t treat a memory foam bed the same way you treat a washable plush one, so let’s go one by one.
- Beds with removable, machine-washable covers (90% of what we sell): This is the easiest win, but don’t just toss ‘em in with your jeans. Here’s my pro tip from testing a hundred cover loads: first, do a pre-vacuum. I know, it sounds extra, but cat hair + laundry = a lint roller disaster. Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment on low suction—high suction will suck the fabric right into the nozzle and rip it, trust me. Once you’ve got the loose hair, flip the cover inside out and zip it up (the zipper gets stuck on other clothes otherwise).
Now, the detergent part: skip the harsh, scented stuff. Cats have way stronger sense of smell than us—what smells “fresh” to you is like a hurricane to their nose. We use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent for all our test beds, and it works. If you want an extra kick, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar kills germs and cuts that “cat bed odor” way better than scented detergent, and it’s way safer than anything with bleach or formaldehyde. Oh, and cold water—hot water will break down the fabric of the cover over time, especially the stretchy parts, so stick to cold or warm.
Drying: Air dry is best. Tossing it in the dryer on low heat is okay if you’re in a rush, but high heat will shrink the cover or warp the elastic. If you line dry it, that also gets a little natural sun disinfection—sunlight kills bacteria! Bonus: cats love the smell of sun-dried fabric, so your bed will be extra enticing for them after.
- Non-removable covers (memory foam, donut beds, some custom plush): This is the tricky one. You can’t toss these in the wash, so you need a gentle disinfect method. First, vacuum the loose hair again (see? I always lead with that—cat hair is the real enemy here). Then, mix a DIY disinfect solution: 1 part water, 1 part white vinegar, and a teaspoon of gentle, fragrance-free dish soap (the kind you use for baby bottles works great). No essential oils, no tea tree, no anything—those are toxic to cats, even if you can’t smell them.
Dip a clean microfiber cloth in this solution, wring it out so it’s barely damp (you don’t want the foam to get soaked, that will take days to dry and grow mold), and wipe down the entire bed. Pay extra attention to the crevices—donut beds have those little gaps where hair and gunk hide. Once you’ve wiped it down, go over it again with a clean damp cloth to get rid of any soap residue, then blot dry with a towel. Then, let it air dry completely—pro tip: prop it up somewhere with good air flow, or near a fan, so it doesn’t stay damp.
- Outdoor cat beds (for strays or cats that hang on the porch): These get way more dirt, bugs, and grime. For these, you can rinse them with a hose first, then use the same vinegar + water + dish soap solution, but you can scrub them a little harder with a brush (just be gentle on fabric). Rinse them really well, then let them air dry in the sun—sun is perfect for outdoor beds because it kills all the outdoor germs.
Now, what should you never do? Let’s get this out of the way, because I’ve seen every bad mistake:
- Bleach: It’s super harsh, it leaves a toxic residue, and even a tiny amount can make your cat sick if they lick the bed. I don’t care what the internet says, skip it.
- Essential oils (tea tree, lavender, peppermint, etc.): These are toxic to cats. Even diffusing them can be bad, so putting them on their bed is a huge no.
- High heat dryers: As I said before, it will ruin your bed, and for foam beds, it can even make them break down or get stinky.
- Harsh laundry detergents or fabric softeners: Fabric softeners leave a waxy residue that traps cat hair and germs, and the scents irritate cats.
Wait, what if your cat is sick? Like, they had diarrhea or something on the bed? Then you need to be extra careful. For removable covers, you can use a little enzyme cleaner (the kind made for pet stains) in the wash, but make sure it’s fragrance-free, and rinse twice to get rid of any residue. For non-removable, you can spot clean with the enzyme solution, then let it dry completely, and maybe even leave it in the sun for a day to be safe. We actually recommend replacing a bed if it’s really heavily soiled, especially if it’s foam—sometimes the germs get deep in the foam and you can’t get them all out, and a new bed is way cheaper than a trip to the vet.
As a cat bed supplier, I also have a few general tips to keep your bed disinfected longer: wash the removable covers every 1-2 weeks if your cat is indoor, every week if they’re outdoor. Vacuum their bed once a day with the upholstery attachment to catch hair before it builds up. If you live in a humid place, make sure the bed is dry after cleaning—humidity is mold’s best friend, and mold is bad for cats’ lungs.
Let me test this all with my own cats to make sure it works. Last week, Luna, my 7-year-old tabby, decided to have a little accident on her memory foam bed (don’t ask why—she’s dramatic). I used the vinegar + water + dish soap solution, spot cleaned it, blotted it dry, and left it in the sun for a day. When I put it back, she immediately curled up in it, so no weird “hates the bed” issue. Mochi, my 2-year-old mischief cat, has a plush donut bed—its cover I wash every 10 days, and he still uses it, no complaints.
At the end of the day, disinfecting your cat’s bed is simple, it just takes a little common sense and cat-safe products. You don’t need fancy, expensive stuff—most of what you need is already in your kitchen. And if you’re in the market for a new bed that’s easy to disinfect, we’ve got you—all our beds have removable covers, are made with cat-safe materials, and Mochi and Luna have already approved them (they get a free bed every month for quality control, by the way).
If you’re a rescue, a shelter, or just someone with a whole crew of cats and need bulk orders, feel free to reach out to us to talk pricing and customization. We love helping people keep their kitties safe and cozy, and we’re always here to answer any questions about beds or cat care.
So go give your cat’s bed a little spa day this weekend—they deserve it. And hey, if you try any of these methods, tag me on Instagram or whatever, I love seeing pics of kitties in their beds.
Fabric Cat Bed REFERENCES
- American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Safe Cleaning Products for Pets.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). Feline Skin and Coat Care: Cleaning and Grooming.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Disinfection for Pet Owners.
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