How to Wash a Sheepskin Dog Bed (Without Ruining It)

Last Updated: February 2026

A sheepskin dog bed is a pet sleeping surface made from genuine animal hide with natural wool fibers intact — and washing it correctly requires a fundamentally different approach than cleaning synthetic beds. Unlike polyurethane foam or polyester-filled beds that tolerate machine washing and tumble drying, sheepskin contains lanolin, a naturally occurring wool wax that provides antimicrobial, temperature-regulating, and odor-resistant properties. Improper washing strips this lanolin, causing the hide to stiffen, crack, and lose the very qualities that make sheepskin superior to synthetic alternatives.

The good news: sheepskin's natural properties mean it needs washing far less frequently than synthetic beds. The lanolin that coats each wool fiber resists bacteria, repels dust mites, and neutralizes odors naturally. Most sheepskin dog beds only require full washing every 4–8 weeks — compared to weekly cover washing recommended for foam beds.

Here's how to keep your sheepskin dog bed clean, soft, and performing at its best for years.

What You'll Need to Wash a Sheepskin Dog Bed

Before you start, gather the right supplies. Using the wrong detergent is the most common mistake — and the most damaging.

Required:

• Wool-safe detergent (look for "suitable for sheepskin" or "wool wash" — Eucalan, Soak, or Woolite are reliable options)
• Cool water (never above 30°C / 86°F)
• Clean bathtub, large basin, or outdoor tub
• Clean, dry towels for pressing out excess water
• Flat drying surface (clean towels on a drying rack or outdoor table)

Never use:

• Regular laundry detergent (contains enzymes that break down wool protein)
• Bleach (destroys lanolin and wool fibers)
• Fabric softener (coats fibers and blocks lanolin's natural function)
• Hot water (causes hide to shrink and stiffen)
• Machine dryer or direct heat (causes irreversible damage)

One of the reasons sheepskin requires gentler cleaning products is the same reason it's a healthier sleeping surface: it contains no synthetic chemicals that need harsh detergents to manage. Unlike foam beds treated with flame retardants and VOC-emitting compounds — covered in depth in our guide to non-toxic dog beds — sheepskin's cleaning needs are simpler because the material itself is simpler.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash a Sheepskin Dog Bed

Step 1: Shake and Brush

Take the sheepskin outside and shake vigorously to remove loose dirt, hair, and debris. Use a pet hair brush or wide-toothed comb to gently brush the wool fibers in the direction of their natural grain. This removes embedded hair and restores fiber loft before washing.

Step 2: Spot-Clean Stains First

For localized stains — mud, drool, food — dampen a cloth with cool water and a small amount of wool-safe detergent. Blot (don't rub) the stain gently. This prevents you from needing a full wash for minor spots and extends the time between deep cleans.

Step 3: Fill Your Basin with Cool Water

Fill a bathtub or large basin with enough cool water to fully submerge the sheepskin. The basin size you need depends on your sheepskin bed size — beds for large and giant breeds may require a full bathtub, while small breed beds fit in a utility sink. Water temperature should not exceed 86°F (30°C). Add wool-safe detergent according to the product's instructions — typically 1–2 capfuls per basin.

Step 4: Submerge and Gently Agitate

Place the sheepskin in the water and gently press it down until fully submerged. Use your hands to softly squeeze and agitate the wool — think gentle kneading, not scrubbing. Let the sheepskin soak for 10–15 minutes. For heavily soiled beds, you can soak for up to 30 minutes.

Do not twist, wring, or scrub aggressively. The wool fibers can felt (mat together permanently) if subjected to friction combined with temperature changes.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly

Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water. Gently press the sheepskin to release trapped detergent. Repeat the rinse cycle 2–3 times until the water runs clear with no soap residue. Residual detergent left in the fibers will attract dirt and stiffen the wool.

Step 6: Press Out Excess Water

Lay the sheepskin flat on clean, dry towels. Roll the towels and sheepskin together, pressing firmly to absorb excess water. Do not wring or twist the hide — this distorts the shape and can crack the leather backing.

Step 7: Air Dry Flat

Lay the sheepskin flat on a clean surface in a well-ventilated area, wool side up. Keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators, and heat sources. Drying time varies by climate — typically 24–48 hours.

While drying, periodically stretch and reshape the hide gently with your hands to prevent stiffening. Once the wool is nearly dry, brush it again with a wide-toothed comb to restore loft and softness.

How Often Should You Wash a Sheepskin Dog Bed?

Sheepskin's natural lanolin content means it requires far less frequent washing than synthetic alternatives. Here's a general guideline:

Between washes, regular shaking and brushing keeps the bed fresh. Sheepskin's antimicrobial properties mean that bacteria and odor-causing microbes are naturally suppressed — a property that synthetic beds can only achieve through chemical treatments that wash out over time.

For a broader look at how to wash any type of dog bed, including foam, bolster, and polyester-filled beds, see our complete cleaning guide.

How to Preserve Lanolin in Your Sheepskin Dog Bed

Lanolin is the key to sheepskin's remarkable properties. This naturally occurring wool wax is antimicrobial, calming, and moisture-resistant — and it's what separates a genuine sheepskin bed from a synthetic imitation. The calming scent of lanolin is one reason veterinary behaviorists note that dogs with anxiety often settle faster on natural sheepskin — a property explored in our guide to calming dog beds.

Every wash removes a small amount of lanolin, which is why minimizing wash frequency and using wool-safe detergent matters. Here's how to keep lanolin levels healthy:

Use wool-safe detergent only. Standard detergents contain enzymes (protease, lipase) designed to break down organic compounds — including lanolin. Wool-safe formulas clean without stripping the natural oils.

Avoid hot water. Heat dissolves lanolin far more rapidly than cool water. Always wash at or below 86°F (30°C).

Consider a lanolin restorer. After multiple washes, you can apply a lanolin conditioning product designed for sheepskin care. These are available from sheepskin specialty retailers and help restore antimicrobial and softening properties.

Air dry only. Machine dryers and direct heat bake out remaining lanolin and cause the hide to crack.

Common Sheepskin Washing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Can You Machine Wash a Sheepskin Dog Bed?

Some sheepskin products include care labels that permit machine washing on a wool or delicate cycle with cold water. If your specific bed's care label allows it, use the gentlest cycle available, cold water only, and a wool-safe detergent. Never use a spin cycle above the lowest setting.

However, hand washing is always the safest approach and gives you the most control over temperature, agitation, and rinsing thoroughness. East Perry recommends hand washing for all sheepskin dog beds to maximize the product's lifespan and preserve lanolin content.

For dogs who need their beds cleaned more frequently — heavy shedders, dogs with incontinence, or dogs recovering from surgery — consider placing a removable cotton cover over the sheepskin for daily protection. This lets you machine wash the cover frequently while only deep-cleaning the sheepskin itself every 6–8 weeks.

When Washing Isn't Enough: Signs You Need a New Bed

Even with perfect care, sheepskin dog beds eventually reach the end of their functional life — though "eventually" means 5–10+ years for genuine sheepskin, compared to 1–3 years for synthetic beds. Signs that your sheepskin bed needs replacing rather than washing include persistent odor that survives a proper wool wash, leather backing that has cracked beyond repair, wool fibers that no longer recover their loft after brushing, and visible thinning or bald spots in the wool pile.

For the full list of replacement indicators across all bed types, see our guide on when to replace your dog's bed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Sheepskin Dog Beds

Can you put a sheepskin dog bed in the washing machine? Some sheepskin beds are labeled machine-washable on a wool/delicate cycle with cold water and wool-safe detergent. However, hand washing is always the safest method because it gives you complete control over water temperature, agitation level, and rinsing — all of which affect lanolin preservation and hide integrity.

What detergent should I use on a sheepskin dog bed? Use only wool-safe or sheepskin-safe detergent. Eucalan, Soak, and Woolite are reliable options. Never use standard laundry detergent, as the enzymes break down the natural wool proteins and strip lanolin. Never use bleach or fabric softener.

How do you get dog smell out of a sheepskin bed? Sheepskin's natural lanolin is antimicrobial and odor-resistant, so persistent odor usually indicates it's time for a full wash. For mild odors between washes, sprinkle baking soda on the wool, let it sit for 30 minutes, then shake and brush it out. Fresh air exposure also helps — hang the sheepskin outside in shade for a few hours.

Will washing ruin my sheepskin dog bed? Not if you follow the correct method. The three rules that prevent damage are: cool water only (86°F/30°C maximum), wool-safe detergent only, and air dry flat only. Damage comes from hot water, harsh detergents, machine drying, and aggressive wringing — not from the washing itself.

How long does a sheepskin dog bed take to dry? Air drying a sheepskin bed typically takes 24–48 hours depending on humidity and air circulation. Drying in a well-ventilated area speeds the process. Never use a hairdryer, heat lamp, machine dryer, or direct sunlight to accelerate drying — heat damages both the wool and leather.

Can I dry clean a sheepskin dog bed? Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents that strip lanolin and can leave residues harmful to dogs. It is not recommended for sheepskin dog beds. Stick with cool water hand washing using wool-safe detergent.

Related Reading

• How to Wash a Dog Bed: Complete Cleaning Guide
• Benefits of Lanolin for Dogs: Why Your Dog Loves Sheepskin
• Best Dog Beds of 2026: Expert-Tested Guide
• When to Replace Your Dog's Bed (+ Signs)
• How East Perry Sheepskin Dog Beds Are Made

East Perry sheepskin dog beds are handcrafted from genuine European sheepskin — naturally antimicrobial, temperature-regulating, and built to last for years with proper care. Shop East Perry sheepskin dog beds.