Cocoon Dog Bed Blanket Care: Washing and Keeping It Cosy

By Collared Creatures | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: Tips & Care

A practical, step-by-step routine for washing a cocoon dog bed blanket, refreshing the inner cushion, and keeping the bed cosy without wrecking the fabric.

Quick answer

Wash the blanket on its own in a gentle, cool cycle with a small amount of mild detergent, then air-dry it flat or over a line. Vacuum or brush the cocoon shell and inner cushion between washes, and replace the inner cushion when it stays flat or smells even after a wash. A spare inner cushion makes the whole routine easier because the bed never has to go out of service.

Why a cocoon bed needs a different routine

A cocoon bed is a closed, cave-shaped shell with a blanket or liner inside, so dirt, oil, and damp get trapped in layers rather than sitting on an open surface. That is why a quick shake outside is rarely enough, and why washing the blanket alone can leave the shell and cushion still holding odour. Treat the bed as three parts: the blanket, the shell, and the inner cushion. Each one needs a different level of attention, and the cushion is the part most often forgotten.

Before you wash: check the label and the filling

Check the care label on the blanket and the shell before anything goes near water. If the label is missing or unclear, test a small hidden area first. Look at the inner cushion too: if the filling has clumped, gone flat, or holds a smell after previous washes, cleaning it again will not restore it. That is the point where a replacement inner cushion is the better spend, because you keep the bed you already have and only refresh the part that has worn out.

How often to clean, honestly

There is no single correct schedule, because it depends on your dog's coat, how much time it spends outdoors, and whether it sleeps in the bed every night. A useful rule is to shake and air the blanket weekly, wash it every two to four weeks for a typical dog, and step that up for dogs that swim, get muddy, or drool heavily. If the bed smells when you walk into the room, you are already overdue rather than early.

Drying is where most beds go wrong

Damp is the main reason a freshly washed cocoon bed smells again within days. Dry the blanket and the shell completely before reassembling, and give the inner cushion extra time because it is the thickest part. Air-drying flat or over a line is safer than a hot tumble dry, which can shrink fabric and distort a filled cushion. If you must use a dryer, keep it low and check the cushion every few minutes.

Your step-by-step cocoon bed cleaning routine

1. Strip the bed and shake everything outside: Remove the blanket and the inner cushion from the cocoon shell. Take all three outside and shake them away from the door so loose hair and grit do not land back in the house. Vacuum the shell inside and out with a brush attachment. Checkpoint: if the shell still smells after vacuuming, it needs a wash too, not just the blanket.
2. Pre-treat stains and greasy patches: Dab a small amount of mild detergent onto any visible marks on the blanket and work it in gently with your fingers. Leave it for a few minutes rather than scrubbing hard, which pushes dirt deeper into the fibres. Common mistake: using bleach or strong disinfectant, which can damage the fabric and irritate your dog's skin.
3. Wash the blanket on a gentle, cool cycle: Wash the blanket on its own so zips, buckles, or heavy shell fabric do not rub against it. Use a gentle cycle, cool water, and a small amount of mild detergent. Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces their ability to wick moisture. Checkpoint: an extra rinse cycle helps if your dog has sensitive skin.
4. Dry completely before it goes back in: Air-dry the blanket flat or over a line, out of direct strong sun. Give the shell and cushion their own drying time, and turn the cushion occasionally so the middle dries as well as the edges. Common mistake: reassembling while the cushion is still cool and slightly damp in the centre.
5. Refresh or replace the inner cushion: Once dry, feel the cushion for flat spots and clumps. If it stays compressed or still smells, swap in a new inner cushion rather than washing it again. Match the size to your existing cave bed so it sits properly inside the shell. Next step: keep a spare cushion so the bed stays usable on wash day.
6. Rebuild the bed and reset the routine: Put the cushion back into the shell first, then lay the blanket over it and smooth out any folds. Note the date so you can keep to a realistic wash interval rather than guessing. Wipe your dog's collar down after wet or muddy walks before it goes back in the bed. Checkpoint: a bed that smells clean at arm's length is ready for your dog.

Product facts

Cave bed replacement Inner Cushion: Replacement inner cushions for all cave beds, available in 4 sizes. You can refresh a flattened or smelly cocoon bed with a new cushion instead of buying a whole new bed, and the four size options let you match the shell you already own.
Bordeaux Handmade Rope Dog Collar with whipping: Handmade rope dog collar in a deep bordeaux colour, with hardware options in Rose Gold, Brass, or Antique Brass and rope diameter options of 8mm and 10mm. A rope collar is easy to wipe down after a muddy walk, so it does not carry outdoor dirt back into a freshly cleaned bed.