Now, I'm sure I've read about this before but can't find the thread anywhere!

Anyway, I have got a few pieces of white vetbed which, quite frankly, are def more grey now, having been in the shed all winter (cats use them as beds when/if they are caught outside - we don't have a catflap :-() 

Going to give it a good go at washing to see if I can save it - was going to use bio powder and vanish but not sure about temp - does it take a 95c wash or would 60 be the max?  I also have an intensive and steam wash on the machine. 

Will prob also use the duvet cover tip I read on here....can't remember who it was but I'll give it a go.

60 is fine - not sure I'd risk it any hotter as it is synthetic.

I have washed vetbed at 90C and it's been fine, but that was the genuine stuff. Not sure if imitations will fare well at that temp. I'd start at 60C and go from there.

I wash all the dog bedding at 60.

with a drop of zoflora or mistral

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">with a drop of zoflora or mistral

Ah, good point :-)

OK, will go with consensus and try 60c first, with a cocktail of detergents & stuff, on intensive and steam and see what happens.  This stuff is genuine vetbed but don't think I'll risk it straight off at the 90c.  Can always use it as a last resort if all else fails.

Cats have got the dark grey cheapie vetbed in their shed beds now ;-)

Thanks all!

I don't think you'll ever get back to 'new white' colour but clean and hygienic will be good enough.  I actually wash mine at 30c most of the time with hypoallergenic washing liquid and a splash of OdourFresh

>I don't think you'll ever get back to 'new white' colour but clean and hygienic will be good enough.

Thats what I am hoping for.  Its in the wash now so we'll see how it comes out.  May well need a few washes methinks.

Sorry for being a bit thick ;)    How do you use the Zoflora, do you just put some in the dispensing drawer or do a separate rinse?  Never thought of using anything other than regular Ariel and Comfort...

Iput it neat in drawer space instead of softened seems to work

>Thats what I am hoping for.  Its in the wash now so we'll see how it comes out.  May well need a few washes methinks

Have you not heard the saying, never do washing on new years day as it washes someone out of the family !

> Have you not heard the saying, never do washing on new years day as it washes someone out of the family !

Oh bug**r - that's two washed out from the washing machine and three if you count the dishwasher...

">Oh bug**r - that's two washed out from the washing machine and three if you count the dishwasher...

That's a blow, I've had the washer and dishwasher on twice today, I wonder who I've hit... mind I can think of some that could do with 90c at 1400rpm ;)

>Will prob also use the duvet cover tip I read on here....

I don't ever wash dog stuff without my zip up duvet cover!  :-)

Have always, always used biological, even though some on here are horrified at the thought.  Been doing it for donkeys years with no problems for tiny pups.  I wash all dog stuff at 60, and my white vetbed is still white.  I also have a creamy/beige colour which I prefer personally.  But I won't have a dark colour, so blood shows up right away.  I like to see what's going on.

If yours is very dull looking, try adding Biotex to your chosen wash powder.  It came out tops (above Vanish) on a Which survey.  :-)

">I don't ever wash dog stuff without my zip up duvet cover!  :-)<br />

I'm lucky enough to have a second machine in our shed for dog washing but I have said to OH that the zip up cover is a great idea to help the old machine live longer, we always use Biological on all of the dog washing, plus we add soda crystals to soften the water and help the machine, then a bit of cheapo Asda/Tesco fabric softener and an extra rinse and spin.

Our dog bedding always smells and looks pretty fresh and gets a regular wash, nicest though when it's blown dry on the line, the dogs get all excited and mooty when new bedding goes in to the beds.

>Have you not heard the saying, never do washing on new years day as it washes someone out of the family !

Do you get to choose who it washes out lol!

Well, glad to report that it has come up looking presentable - ok, not pristine white but certainly presentable.  Pleased to say the duvet trick worked well, no hairy washing machine to wash out (well, no hairier than normal!) - thanks JeanSW!

Both the dogs and cats in this house get excited about new/clean beds....usually ends up with the cats INSISTING they get first chance to lie in the bed, whether it is a dog or cat bed.  Dogs let them as well - they know who's the boss!

What a good idea - Zoflora instead of fabric conditioner, the beds smelt lovely and so did the house as I dried the vetbeds on radiators :)

Well, at least this thread has cleared up why my clothes come out the machine just as hairy as when they went in !