To wash dog clothes, shake or brush off loose fur, close any zippers or hook-and-loop strips, turn the garment inside out, and wash it on a cold, gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag with a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Air dry flat. Knit sweaters, hoodies, and pajamas can go in the machine this way; waterproof raincoats are better hand-washed and never put in a hot dryer, which can damage the coating. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets entirely, since the residue can irritate skin and clog waterproof fabric.
The first sweater we washed for Ai came out two sizes smaller and covered in pilled fuzz because we treated it like a human sweatshirt. Pet clothes are lighter, the seams are smaller, and the fabric holds a lot more fur. Here's how we wash everything now, sorted by garment type, plus how often it actually needs doing.
How often should you wash dog clothes?
Less often than you'd think for some pieces, more often for others:
- Sweaters and hoodies worn on dry walks: Every three to five wears, or sooner if they smell. A quick shake and a brush between wears handles most fur.
- Pajamas worn overnight: Weekly, same as your own sheets. They pick up skin oils and dander every night.
- Raincoats: Rinse mud off after each wet walk and hang to dry. A proper wash only every few weeks, or when the inside starts to smell.
- Anything worn by a dog with allergies, a skin condition, or fleas: After every wear. Ask your vet whether a specific detergent or a hot wash is needed in those cases.
Over-washing wears out elastic and stretchy knits fast. Under-washing means your dog is wearing a week of dander and street grime against their skin. Somewhere in the middle is right for most dogs.
How do you machine wash dog sweaters and hoodies?
Knit sweaters like the heart pattern pet sweater and cotton-blend hoodies like the embroidered pet hoodie can go in the washing machine if you follow a few rules. Always check the care label on the specific item first; if it says hand wash, believe it.
- Remove fur first. Shake the garment outside, then run a lint roller or a rubber brush over it. Fur that goes into the wash comes out as felted clumps and ends up in your machine's filter.
- Close everything. Zip zippers, press hook-and-loop strips together, and fasten buttons. Open hook-and-loop shreds knit fabric in the wash.
- Turn it inside out. Protects embroidery, prints, and the outer surface from pilling.
- Use a mesh laundry bag. Small garments tangle around other laundry and stretch out. A bag keeps them in shape and keeps drawstrings from wrapping around the agitator.
- Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. A fragrance-free, dye-free detergent is easiest on skin. Use about half the amount you'd use for a normal load; small garments don't need much, and leftover detergent is what causes itching.
- Air dry flat. Lay the sweater on a towel and reshape it. Hanging stretches the neck and armholes. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat and take it out slightly damp.
How do you wash a dog raincoat without ruining it?
Waterproof coats are the one category where the machine can do real damage. The water-resistant coating on a shell like our lightweight waterproof pet raincoat is what keeps your dog dry, and heat, harsh detergent, and rough agitation all shorten its life.
- Rinse first. Hose or rinse mud off in the sink while it's still wet. Dried mud grinds into the fabric.
- Hand wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent. Swish, let it sit ten minutes, rinse until the water runs clear.
- Wipe the lining with a damp cloth if it's not detachable. That's where the dog smell lives.
- Hang to dry away from direct heat. No radiator, no dryer, no direct sun for hours. The coating can crack or peel.
- Re-check the fit after a few washes. If the coat has shrunk or the strap elastic has loosened, remeasure. Our raincoat size guide covers the two measurements.
How do you wash pet pajamas and jumpsuits?
Four-legged garments like the contrast soft pet pajamas have more seams and openings, so they need a little extra care. The mesh bag matters most here, because the leg openings catch on everything. Wash inside out on cold, and dry flat with the legs laid straight so they don't twist. Check the crotch and armpit seams when you fold them; those are the spots that wear first, and a loose thread is easier to fix before it becomes a hole.
What should you avoid when washing pet clothes?
- Fabric softener and dryer sheets. They leave a coating that irritates some dogs' skin and destroys waterproofing.
- Bleach. Harsh on skin and fabric both. For stains, a pet-safe enzyme cleaner applied before washing works better.
- Hot water on knits. This is how a medium becomes a small.
- Washing with your own heavily scented laundry. Fragrance transfers. Dogs have far more sensitive noses than we do, and some refuse to wear a strongly scented garment.
- Putting clothes away damp. Mildew smell doesn't come out easily. Make sure everything is fully dry before it goes in the drawer.
FAQ
Can you put dog clothes in the dryer?
Cotton and acrylic knits can usually handle a low-heat tumble if the label allows it, but air drying flat is safer and keeps the shape. Never put a waterproof raincoat or anything with a rubberized print in the dryer; the heat damages the coating.
What detergent is safe for dog clothes?
A mild, fragrance-free, dye-free detergent is the safest choice for most dogs. Use less than you would for human laundry and rinse well. If your dog has a diagnosed skin condition, ask your vet whether they recommend a specific product.
How do you get dog hair out of clothes before washing?
Shake the garment outside, then go over it with a lint roller, a rubber grooming brush, or a slightly damp rubber glove. A dryer run on air-only (no heat) for ten minutes before washing also pulls loose fur into the lint trap.
Quick recap
To wash dog clothes, de-fur them, close all fasteners, turn them inside out, and machine wash knits cold and gentle in a mesh bag with mild detergent; hand wash raincoats and keep them away from heat. Air dry flat, skip softener, and remeasure if anything shrinks. Browse sweaters, pajamas, and raincoats in our pet clothing collection. Orders over $75 ship free.
