Essential Laundry Tips To Know Before Sleeping With Your Furry Friends

Is there anything more comforting than snuggling with your furry friends for a night of Zzz's? If you're someone who prefers your pets to sleep in the bed with you, then you know how nice it is to have them there. However, if the thought of all that dander — not to mention dirt from outside — in your fresh sheets is a little overwhelming, you may have reservations about curling up with your dog or cat. 

While it doesn't matter which you prefer (a fuzzy bed buddy or a fur-free bed), there are ways to keep your sleeping space sacred while still sharing it with an animal (or several). The key is to designate sleeping spots for them, keep spare sheets they can rest on, and use pet-friendly washing and cleaning methods to keep your linens fresh. If you have been waiting for an excuse to let your pets cuddle up, these tips can make it a little easier to say yes to them.

When prepping your bed to let your pet sleep with you, decide whether they will have full reign of the bed or just a small area. If you prefer your animal to stay in one spot rather than the whole bed, this is a good thing to train them about while they are young or when you first get them. Commands like "place" or "stay" can help them learn where their spot is and will ensure the rest of your bedding doesn't get as hairy or dirty. It's also a good idea to use pet wipes before bed to clean their paws and coats, removing dirt and dust they might track onto your linens. Dander and fur will always shed onto your sheets, but at least this way you're catching more of it and helping keep bacteria at bay. If they sleep in their spot, you can use a pet hair roller or vacuum to remove their fur more easily, too.

The second factor you want to consider is keeping a separate blanket or sheet that is specifically for your pet. This can go at one end of your bed, on one side where they sleep, or even as a top sheet or cover for your duvet. By keeping a sheet just for your furry friend, you're protecting your linens so they don't collect as much pet debris. This can be a plain sheet you remove during the day and only put out when it's time for bed. You could also leave it on all the time if your pet is partial to jumping up on your bed throughout the day. Either wash this every couple of days or wait until you do your bedding to clean it — though the more often you wash it, the less likely it is for bacteria to collect. Don't forget to keep several in rotation for easy swap-outs to keep your bedding fresh.

So, how often should you really be washing your sheets if a pet sleeps with you? Regularly cleaning your sheets and duvet will help with allergens and other pet-related issues. This is why, if you allow your dog, cat, or any other animal to sleep in the bed with you, you should wash your bedding at least once a week — if not every four days. You'll want to use a mild to strong detergent, like OxiClean, that also offers odor protection to ensure you're cleaning out all the bacteria, dander, dirt, and pet smells that have collected on the bed. Use a warm cycle and then dry everything fully before making your bed again. If your pets like to lay on your pillowcases, which is common for many, you may want to wash these more than you do your sheets. Owning two pairs of bedding is always helpful since you'll have a replacement while you wash one set.

Never underestimate the power of a mattress protector, especially when it comes to your pets. This base layer that goes on top of your mattress and under your fitted sheet can help keep moisture and germs off of your mattress. These protectors are meant to absorb everything from sweat and oils to spills and can even come in handy if your dog or cat has an accident on the bed. Wondering how often should you be washing your mattress protector? This layer still needs to be cleaned regularly, too, so make sure you're washing it at least every couple of months when you do laundry to remove everything it has soaked up. You can find pet-proof versions or simply opt for a general protector to keep your mattress clean, considering that mattresses are harder to wash. Should anything ever get through the cover, be sure to spot-treat your mattress.

One more thing that could help — and is very important overall — is using a flat or top sheet. This sheet can help protect your duvet or comforter from bacteria, oils, and other dirt/particles that shed in your bed. This is especially helpful for those who don't wash their duvet as often as they wash their base sheets. When it comes to letting your pet sleep with you, you shouldn't stop using a top sheet on your bed, as this will act as an extra barrier between your fitted sheet as well. To really make the most of this tip, consider purchasing pet-friendly sheets, which can repel fur and dander more easily than other fabrics. Brands like Furify are great choices and give you a little peace of mind when inviting your furry friend into your bed. Just keep in mind that they still need to be washed as often as your regular sheets.