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Room for one more
How to share your bed with your dog and still slip into fresh, clean sheets every night.
We are a nation of dog lovers, and plenty of those dogs end up at the foot of the bed. If yours is one of them, a few simple habits keep your bedding fresh, smooth and hair-free.
30%
of UK adults own a dog, according to the PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report 2025.
11.1m
pet dogs in the UK, the PDSA estimates.
Figures from the PDSA. Whether your dog sleeps in your bed is your choice. Here is how to make it work for your bedding.
In short
- Give your dog their own layer: a washable throw or blanket on top of the duvet.
- Wash sheets weekly, and the dog's layer more often.
- Remove hair before washing, not after.
- A mattress protector is essential when pets share the bed.
Set the bed up for two (or three)
Protect the mattress
A mattress protector is the most important layer of all. Our bamboo terry protector has a waterproof layer for muddy-paw accidents.
Give your dog their own throw
Lay a washable throw or blanket across the foot of the bed. It takes most of the hair, mud and wear, and it is quick to wash.
Choose a smooth sheet
Tightly woven sateen sheets have a smooth surface that hair sits on rather than in, so it is easier to brush away.
Think about colour
Pick bedding that is close to your dog's coat colour, and hair shows far less between washes.
Their own blanket. Your fresh sheets.
A washing routine that keeps up
The dog's throw
This is the layer that does the hard work. Shake it outside, then wash it on its own.
Sheets and pillowcases
Wash fitted sheets, flat sheets and pillowcases at least once a week.
Duvet cover
More often if your dog sleeps on top of it rather than on a throw.
Mattress protector
And straight away after any accident.
Getting the hair off
- Shake bedding outside before it goes in the machine, so hair does not clog the filter.
- Run a damp rubber glove or a lint roller over the duvet cover first.
- Wash dog bedding separately from your own sheets.
- Clean the washing machine filter and drum seal after washing pet bedding.
- Give dried bedding a final shake before you make the bed.
Brush your dog before bedtime, not after. A two-minute brush in the evening means far less hair ends up on your sheets overnight.
For a full routine, read how often you should wash bed sheets.
Sheet Story
Bedding that keeps up with real life
Ackly Bamboo sateen is smooth, machine washable and resistant to pilling. Pair it with a waterproof mattress protector. Free UK delivery on orders over £80.
Shop mattress protectors →Questions we are often asked
How often should I wash my sheets if my dog sleeps in my bed?
At least once a week, and the dog's own throw or blanket every few days.
What bedding is best if my dog sleeps with me?
A smooth, tightly woven sateen is easier to brush hair off, and a washable throw for your dog protects the duvet cover.
How do I get dog hair off bedding?
Shake it outside, then use a damp rubber glove or lint roller before washing. Clean the machine filter afterwards.
Do I need a mattress protector if my dog sleeps on the bed?
Yes. A waterproof protector keeps the mattress clean from mud and accidents, and is much easier to wash than a mattress.
Every bed tells a Sheet Story
