We have had three dogs over the past eight years and have used up quite a bit of dog beds. Even if the beds looked brand new, they certainly didn’t smell brand new – and there didn’t seem to be any way to get rid of the stink! Think you’re doomed to buy a new bed every month? Think again! We’ve got some easy tips to keep those beds (and towels and blankets) clean and smelling fresh!

1. Vacuum before washing

This can go unnoticed, especially if you have a dog with a lighter coat. Even short-haired dogs shed, and sometimes a lot more than you think! Vacuuming before washing will not only help you achieve a cleaner bed, it will also keep your washer, dryer and ducts free of fur clogs and lingering odors.

Turn the bed over and use the handheld attachment to get into all the crevices where fur and other clutter like to hide. Turn the bed outside to wash.

2. Washing machine routines—and secrets!

We try to avoid harsh cleaners as two of our three dogs have environmental allergies and their skin is more sensitive. Use baby laundry detergent –We use Purex But either will do — gentler on fabrics and your dog’s skin, but probably not as tough on stains or odors.

If you find that using cleanser alone isn’t working, here’s how to compensate:

• White Vinegar: Pour 1/2 cup to 1 cup vinegar directly over the bed of the machine.
• The Secret Ingredient That Works: Add 5 Drops Young Living Purifying Essential Oils to the laundry soap dispenser. You can use more drops if needed for particularly smelly or dirty beds.
• Optional: add 5 drops lavender essential oil to the soap dispenser for even greater fragrance. Lavender is a calming scent that is safe for dogs! Purification already contains a cross of French and English lavender (see below), so adding more lavender is not a must, but we love it!

3. Thoroughly dry

One of the problems with timed cycles on the dryer is that the bed never seems to actually dry! Moisture lingering in crevices can cause musty smells in beds and dryers. Periodically turn the beds over to dry for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the number and size of the beds. Then turn the bedding over and let dry again for 20 to 40 minutes. This will ensure that the bed is thoroughly dry – and odour-free!

What is purification?

Purification is an essential oil blend crafted by Young Living, one of the oldest and most prestigious oil companies in the world. It consists of six oils:

1. lemongrass
2. Ravadin
3. lemon grass
4. rosemary
5. myrtle
6. tea tree

Something to keep in mind: The scent may be overwhelming for some first-time oil users, but it’s highly concentrated and you only need a few drops for it to work. The wholesale price for a 5ml bottle is $15.75 and the retail price is $20.72, excluding tax or shipping. Depending on the size and number of your dog’s beds, you can get at least 10 laundry items out of one bottle. It’s also very versatile – you can put 2-3 drops on a cotton ball and leave it on the bottom of the trash can to get rid of the smell in the trash can or diaper pail. Of course, it always spreads too!

Lavender Essential Oil comes in a 15ml bottle; wholesale price is $24.25, retail price is $31.91.

You don’t need to be a monthly member to get wholesale prices – we don’t!you will have Register under Distributor However, you’ll need to purchase a one-time starter kit, which starts at $45. If you want to buy products at retail prices, there’s no need to do this – just select “Retail” as your membership option at checkout when purchasing retail products.

NOTE: We are not Young Living resellers, nor will we receive any kickbacks for linking you to this product. It’s just what we love that works for us! It is highly recommended that you purchase this product through the Young Living website as they guarantee fresh and authentic oils “from seed to seal”.

the bottom line

We were skeptical that essential oils would work, but the “cleanse” does get rid of the stink – even for someone like me who is super sensitive to smells.We still donate our dog beds to shelters or to local rescue organizations After a few months of use, this helped us save some money by extending the life of the dog bed.