If you have pets, you’re very aware of the difference there is in washing their bedding and toys. With tough to conquer stains, and plenty of fur, your washing machine is put to the test whenever pet bedding is laundered. That’s why it is important to have a durable and efficient washing machine if you have pets.
When you’re shopping for a pet-friendly washing machine, there are a lot of things to consider. Always take your budget into consideration. In addition, you may want to consider the following:
- Capacity: Will your pet’s bedding fit into the machine with enough room to wash properly?
- Cleaning Power: Does the machine have high temperature cycles to eliminate pet odors? What about stain-fighting settings?
- Allergen Removal: Steam cycles or allergen-specific wash settings may be beneficial to remove excess dander and dust from your pet laundry, especially in households with allergy-prone individuals.
- Durability: For pet owners, a durable washing machine that can withstand frequent use is essential.
- Specialized Cycles: While not necessary, some models do include special cycle designed for pet hair removal and sanitizing.
Look for these features in washing machines that specifically address pet laundry. When choosing a washing machine with pets in mind, Maytag, Speed Queen and Samsung all make models with specific features designed for pet owners. If you don’t want something specifically designed for homes with pets, look for some of the following features:
- Larger lint filters to trap the excess pet hair and fur.
- Deeper water fill options to allow the hair to float freely away from the pet laundry.
- Agitators and impellers help move your laundry within the drum of a top load machine. If you have a particularly dirty pet, you may prefer the agitator as it creates more movement to help release the stains
- Top loading laundry is more likely to have the features you may be looking for. But for larger or bulkier pet blankets and bedding, a front loader may be more suitable.
Regardless of which machine your choose, be sure to remove any pet hair from inside the machine and clean out the lint filter. You should also be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding how much soap you use. Using too much can cause hair and lint to redeposit on your clothing because it doesn’t rinse out completely.
From our Sales Team:
I wash my dog’s bedding weekly. It keeps the odors at bay and I have less pet hair that I need to clean up (he’s a shedder for sure). I don’t have a pet-specific washing machine, so I’m extra careful to clean hair and fur from all of the crevices and gaskets when I’m done washing my dog’s blankets. That way it doesn’t transfer to my next load of laundry or clog my machine. If you’re shopping for laundry in the store, please let us know so we can make appropriate recommendations.