What Is the Best Bedding for Pet Owners? Tips for Keeping Your Bedding Clean When You Have Pets

The best bedding for pet owners often depends on factors such as fabric, design, maintenance, and personal preferences. According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), roughly 46% of Americans report sleeping with their pet. Keep reading to learn how to pick the best bedding for pet owners, plus tips on sharing a bed with your pet cleanly and happily.

Invest in Pet Hair-Resistant Bedding

A good rule of thumb for pet-friendly bedding is to pick a bedding material with a high thread count that is machine washable for easy maintenance. A high thread count will make the bedding material less likely to hold onto pet hair and make it more durable to withstand extra washing. 

What Is the Best Bedding for Pet Owners?

Here are the different types of bedding and what to consider with each:

• Microfiber: A synthetic fiber that’s affordable, hypoallergenic, soft, and durable, but absorbency can be an issue for droolers (of both species). 
• Bamboo: A natural fiber that’s hypoallergenic, antibacterial, durable, soft, and easy to clean, but can be a bit pricey for a luxury set.
• Cotton: A natural fiber that’s breathable, soft, hypoallergenic, and affordable (depending on thread count) but often not as durable as other fabrics and can be more likely to stain and fray.
• Linen: A natural fiber that’s breathable, durable, and hypoallergenic but is often not very soft and expensive. 

For bed sheets for pet owners, our pick is to consider this cotton sateen sheet set that is smooth to resist pet hair, durable, easy to clean, and ultra-soft. 

Consider Bedding Sets With Designs

With a fluffy animal in the house, no matter how hard you try, some pet fur will end up on your bed. Therefore, consider ways to help your pet’s fur blend in better. One trick is to get your bedding in a decorative print when purchasing different types of linens, such as: 

• Sheets
• Comforters
• Quilts
• Duvet covers

If you prefer solid colors for bedding, you could opt for darker colors such as this quilt set so pet fur blends in easier (assuming your pet isn’t all white — in that case, a light shade may be better camouflage).

Vacuum Your Bed Regularly

Vacuuming the bed between washes can greatly reduce the amount of pet hair on your bedding. Consider getting a handheld vacuum specific for picking up pet hair to avoid cross-contamination and to make the process easier. 

Bonus tip: Use a lint roller after vacuuming before making the bed to pick up any hair you may have missed.

Stick To a Washing Schedule for Your Bedding

Did you know that pets can carry fungal organisms into the bed? This is why the Cleveland Clinic recommends washing your sheets once a week if you have pets that sleep with you. Keeping more than one machine washable sheet set may make this easier. If your pet is allowed on the bed, the rest of your bedding should be washed more frequently. 

If you haven’t upgraded your bedding to pet-friendly bedding, then the hair alone may make you want to clean more regularly. For the cleanest bedding, follow these tips:

• Do a pre-wash vacuum and lint roll to reduce the amount of pet fur that gets in the washer
• If your pet has had an accident, pre-treat the affected area(s) with a pet-safe stain remover
• Wash your bedding topper (duvet cover, comforter, or quilt) separate from the sheets to avoid cross-contamination
• Use laundry detergent specifically made for pets and an optional half a cup of baking soda to clean and neutralize odors
• Follow the washing instructions for your bedding set specifically
• Use the hottest water that is allowed on your bedding’s washing instructions

Put an Extra Blanket on Top of the Bed for Your Pet

Giving your pet a blanket to snuggle on can be ideal for shielding the more luxurious bedding (that is often more difficult to wash). Cover your bed with a fleece blanket or microfiber quilt to create a barrier from pet fur and pet-related ickiness.

Keep Your Pet Healthy and Well-Groomed

The Cleveland Clinic notes that those who sleep with their pets should take the necessary precautions against infections, diseases, rashes, and allergies that pets can cause, such as: 

• Use a HEPA air filter to remove pet dander and allergens from the air
• Keep your pet up-to-date on veterinary-recommended care such as vaccinations, tic and flee protocols, etc. 
• Bathe your pet as often as their veterinarian says is okay
• Following vet recommendations for brushing your pet to assist in less shedding

Include Your Pet in Your Nighttime Routine

According to the Sleep Foundation, sleeping with pets can disrupt your circadian rhythm. Going to bed with your pet at the same time every night can improve your sleep quality and make your pet more likely to stay asleep and not disturb you throughout the night. 

Bonus tip: Cleaning your pet’s paws before bedtime to wash off any dirt, germs, or pesticides they may have picked up during the day can help keep your bedding cleaner.

Trying To Get Your Pet Out of Your Bed? Consider a Pet Bed

Sleeping with a pet isn’t for everyone. In fact, according to the AASM, nearly one in five (19%) survey respondents reported sleeping poorly with a pet in their bed. If it’s beginning to affect your sleep quality, you may need to find alternatives. Gifting your pet a cozy space of their own may help them adjust to sleeping alone. 

Set Boundaries With Your Pet

Getting enough quality sleep is vital to your health. Setting boundaries with your pet can be key to a successful co-sleeping relationship. Enforce your rules and boundaries by: 

• Train your pet to only get on the bed when you beckon them onto the bed
• Keep the bedroom door closed when it’s “stay off the bed” time
• Train your pets not to chew bedding and pillows
• Consider professional obedience training if you’re struggling on your own

Finding the best bedding for pet owners isn’t always easy. Luckily, at Southshore Fine Linens, you can find a plethora of sheet sets, bed toppers, and cozy blankets to make any bedroom comfortable for you and your pets.

Shop Southshore Fine Linens best sellers today!

Sources:

How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (and the Gross Reasons Why). (2023).

Is Fido a bed hog or a cuddle buddy? Almost half of Americans sleep with pets. (2022).

Summer, J. (2024). Sleeping with Pets.