I always have trouble washing new vetbed as it's so rigid. It comes out looking no cleaner than when it went in the machine. Any tips or recommendations? (I've just put the same piece in the wasing machine for the 2nd time in the hope it will do a better job 2nd time round).

if it's new isn't it clean?  I thought you were washing to make it less rigid which will probably take quite a few washes :-(

I found that, I used a new piece over whelping last year and it was covered in green. When I got it out the washing machine it was still filthy, I ended up throwing it away.

I always buy in new vetbed when I have a litter, but because it's so rigid when it goes into the machine for it's first wash all the puppy poo and stains just don't come out because it's not getting a good soaking and going right through the fabric. Short of hand washing and concentrating on each mark I can't see how to get it clean.

Penny it may be new but imagine how many times its been hauled on/off the lorry, how many boys may have pee'd on it ......

Are you using biological washing stuff?  I've got some that's 10 years old and gleaming white. :)

> I've got some that's 10 years old and gleaming white

Me too.  It just gets soft and limp, but have no problem with any stains left after washing.  And I only use a 40 degree wash.

I've also got them years old and always look great after being in the washing machine.

I seem to have had two different sorts. There's one that's gone all nice and soft after a few washes
There's another that's like a piece of board - they're both proper vet bed - very strange.

I have a piece I bought at the same time and now it's just as you say, soft and much like sheep wool pattern but when new (the other piece) just wouldn't come clean in the washing machine from all the birthing fluids. Was a bit miffed as everyone always says how vetbed washes and washes, etc. and here was a brand new bit, tenner a piece, chucked away after one use...

> Are you using biological washing stuff?

No I'm not, never use bio washing stuff for anything (and I've just moved to a house with a septic tank so don't think bio is meant to be used?). I don't think it's the detergent that's the problem, it's the rigidity of the vetbed itself.

> always look great after being in the washing machine

I once bought some at Cruft's at a special price.  Normally get white, but this was a pale biscuit colour.  It washed well and went nice and soft.  I was pleased with it until a cat person visited and said to me, mine always go dingy too!  :-(   She thought they were originally white!  :-(

> and I've just moved to a house with a septic tank so don't think bio is meant to be used

I use bio without a problem - we have a septic tank. I was told that you can use any normal household 'chemicals' that are designed to go down the drain :) :)

I have the same problem - I've ended up cutting some down in size to get them clean.  Could do with a super sized washing machine!

No, I've never bought dirty or pee'd on vet bed... I usually either buy it from a more reputable source who protects it, or in a roll... and again from a source where it's protected... I would never buy dirty vet bed, if bought on internet they'd have it back and I'd have a refund... I will wash before pups have it, but would never accept filthy stuff I'd have to wash...

Does it vary re stiffness depending on whether it is non slip or not? The only non slip stuff I have had has come with the crates and only been thin and limp from the start otherwise it has been stiff[ allows me to vacuum off any hair before going in the wash provided it isn't soiled too] till very old but still comes clean in the wash. I use bio on all the dog stuff.

My Afro comb from the 70's came back into its own to fluff up the vet bed after washing.

I always buy new for a litter and wash it a few times to try and get rid of the loose fluff, it softens up. I use Crommesol disinfectant that you buy in big containers and mix with Fairy non bio. My washing machine has a 7.5 kg drum I think (larger than normal anyway). It washes fine, even with all the puppy muck and comes up gleaming white.

It takes a 60C wash which is better to kill off some things.

I was given loads of free samples of different scented Trygene anti bacterials. I use them up on final washes for Vet bed which is to be washed and stored after the litter was weaned.

Does it vary re stiffness depending on whether it is non slip or not? The only non slip stuff I have had has come with the crates and only been thin and limp from the start otherwise it has been stiff

No it will depend on the quality/thickness of the vetbed -I heard just the other day it comes in 4 different qualities and there is only one factory left in the UK that make the high quality now. I bought 5 pieces of non slip 1.5 m x 1 m a few weeks ago, I use it as mats in the hall to catch some of the mud when the dogs come in -figured it would be easier to wash than rubber matting. This is still very stiff (I replace the piece every single day and rotate them, so each gets washed at least once a week) and every time I pull it out of the washing machine I think of James Herriot calving cows. :) It is getting better though.

I don't breed and usually only have the common or garden muddy marks and general grime on my vet beds. But when my GSD got older she became slightly incontinent and I bought her a lovely new vet bed, but it was so stiff to wash. I got over this by putting it in the bath with soapy water and then treading it with bare feet, rather like treading grapes. This got the wee and dirt out, I then put it in the washing machine to rinse. A bit messy, but it worked and as it eventually got softer it would go into the machine easier without me doing a barn dance on it in the bath.

> as it eventually got softer it would go into the machine easier without me doing a barn dance on it in the bath.

LOL, the things we do for our dogs!

Lol the things people do for dogs :-D

I always take my new vet bed to the local laundarette for its wash. It alway removes the stiffness.

Wonder if it would wash softer if you chucked in some old trainers or tennis balls to give it a bit of a bash around? I haven't bought new vet bed in a while so is only a thought :)