How to Wash Faux Fur Without Ruining It: Blankets, Dog Beds and Rugs (2026)

Last updated: November 7, 2026

Quick answer: Wash faux fur in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle with a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Skip fabric softener and bleach. Then air dry flat or tumble on no heat or the lowest heat, and once it's completely dry, brush the fibers with a slicker brush or wide-tooth comb to bring back the fluff. Heat is the enemy: faux fur is made of acrylic or polyester, and high heat melts and mats it.

That works for most faux fur blankets, dog bed covers, throws and rugs. Below are the full steps, how to handle a faux fur dog bed with a foam insert, and the mistakes that ruin faux fur.

Faux Fur Washing Cheat Sheet

Always follow the care label first. If it conflicts with this chart, the label wins.

How to Machine Wash Faux Fur (Step by Step)

1. Check the care label. Look for "machine washable" and any "do not tumble dry" or "dry clean only" warnings. Faux fur containing acetate usually needs dry cleaning.
2. Remove loose hair and debris. Shake it outside. With dog bedding, tumble it on no heat for 10 minutes first so pet hair goes into the lint trap. (More tips in how to get dog hair off blankets.)
3. Pretreat stains. Dab, don't scrub, with a little mild detergent or baby shampoo on a damp cloth. Scrubbing tangles the fibers.
4. Load it on its own. Wash faux fur alone or with other soft items. Zippers, jeans and towels cause pilling and shed lint into the pile. Turn bed covers inside out and close the zipper.
5. Set the machine: cold water, gentle or delicate cycle, low spin.
6. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. About half your usual dose. Powder can get trapped in the pile.
7. No fabric softener and no bleach. Softener coats the fibers, leaves them flat and greasy and can reduce the performance of waterproof linings.
8. Add an extra rinse if your dog has sensitive skin or you notice leftover suds.

How to Hand Wash Faux Fur

Hand washing is the gentlest option for long-pile fur, rugs and anything you're nervous about.

1. Fill a tub or large sink with cool water and a capful of mild detergent or gentle shampoo.
2. Submerge the item and gently press water through it. Let it soak for up to 30 minutes.
3. Drain and refill with clean cool water. Press, don't wring, until the water runs clear.
4. Roll it in a large dry towel to press out water.

How to Dry Faux Fur

• Air drying is the safest. Lay it flat on a drying rack or drape it over a sturdy rail, away from direct heat and sun. Flip it halfway through.
• If you use the dryer, use no heat or the lowest heat setting. Paw's care instructions for its faux fur covers say tumble dry on low or no heat. A few wool dryer balls help fluff the pile.
• Never use high heat, an iron or a radiator. Synthetic fur melts and turns crunchy, and the damage can't be undone.
• Make sure it's completely dry before putting a cover back on a foam insert. Trapped moisture causes mildew and odor.

How to Make Faux Fur Soft and Fluffy Again

Once dry, brush the fur gently in the direction it naturally lies using a pet slicker brush or a wide-tooth comb. Work in small sections from the base outward. For badly matted spots, hold the base of the fibers so you don't pull them out, and tease the tangle apart a little at a time. A quick 10-minute tumble on air-only with dryer balls also lifts flattened pile.

How to Wash a Faux Fur Dog Bed

Most faux fur dog beds have a removable cover over a foam insert, and the two are cleaned differently. Using the Paw PupRug Faux Fur Orthopedic Dog Bed as an example:

1. Unzip the faux fur cover and remove the foam and its waterproof liner.
2. Machine wash the cover in cold water on a gentle cycle, inside out with the zipper closed.
3. Tumble dry on low or no heat, then fluff the fur with a slicker brush.
4. Freshen the foam without washing it. Sprinkle baking soda over it, wait 30 minutes and vacuum. For stains, dab with a damp cloth and a little dish soap, press out the water without wringing and let it air dry completely. Never put memory foam in the washer or dryer.
5. Wipe the waterproof liner with a damp cloth, or wash it on cold if the label allows.
6. Reassemble only when everything is fully dry.

Want the bed back in use while the cover dries? A spare PupRug replacement cover lets you swap one on while the other is in the wash:

Buy the same style and size as your bed. Browse every washable faux fur bed in our fluffy and faux fur dog beds collection or the full PupRug by Paw line. If your bed has no removable cover, see how to clean dog beds that can't be washed.

How to Wash a Waterproof Faux Fur Blanket

Waterproof dog blankets like the Paw PupProtector Waterproof Throw Blanket have faux fur on top, a hidden waterproof layer inside and microsuede on the back. Machine wash cold on gentle with mild detergent, skip softener and bleach, and dry on no or low heat. High heat can damage the waterproof layer as well as the fur. See all waterproof dog blankets.

6 Mistakes That Ruin Faux Fur

How Often to Wash Faux Fur Dog Bedding

Every 1 to 2 weeks for a dog who sleeps on it daily, and right away after accidents, muddy paws or illness. Between washes, vacuum or brush off hair and use a pet-safe spray like Paw Marlie Mist ($24) to keep it fresh. More in how to keep dog blankets clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does faux fur wash well?

Yes, most faux fur washes well if you use cold water, a gentle cycle and little or no heat to dry. The damage people see almost always comes from hot water or a hot dryer.

How do you clean faux fur without ruining it?

Spot clean small marks with a damp cloth and mild soap, wash in cold water on gentle, never wring, dry with no or low heat and brush once dry.

Can you put faux fur in the dryer?

Only on no heat or the lowest heat setting, and only if the label allows it. Air drying is safest for long-pile and luxe fur. High heat melts synthetic fibers.

How do you wash a faux fur blanket and keep it soft?

Use cold water, a small amount of mild detergent and no softener. Dry with no heat and wool dryer balls, then brush the fur with a slicker brush when it's completely dry.

How do you wash sherpa fleece?

Machine wash sherpa inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and no softener. Tumble dry on low or air dry, then brush any flattened areas.

How do you fix matted faux fur?

Brush it gently with a slicker brush or wide-tooth comb while holding the base of the fibers. Lightly misting with water first can help. If the fibers are melted from heat, they can't be restored.

Can you wash faux fur in the washing machine?

Most faux fur blankets and dog bed covers can go in the washer on a cold, gentle cycle. Use a large mesh laundry bag for long-pile items, and hand wash anything labeled delicate.

The Bottom Line

Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, no softener, no high heat, then brush. Follow those rules and faux fur blankets and dog beds stay soft for years. Shop washable faux fur dog beds and waterproof dog blankets.

Not sure which replacement cover fits your bed? Call us at 737-215-3211 or email support@puppyfeverpro.com with your order number and we'll check. We ship nationwide.

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• Can Dog Beds Go in the Dryer? Safety Tips
• How to Keep Dog Blankets Clean?
• How to Get Dog Hair Off a Couch, Bed and Blankets
• How to Clean Dog Beds That Can't Be Washed?