The number one question I get asked on social media is: How do you keep your bed so white with Opal? Thankfully, she’s a fairly tidy dog but accidents do happen. (IE: The Explosive Diarrhea Debacle of 2018.) With that being said, I’ve partnered with Cstudio Home (the sister brand of The Company Store) to share my best tips and tricks for keeping a clean bed with not-so-clean pets!
1. White Duvet Cover
As a pet owner, there are two things you need to invest in for your bed: a duvet cover and an insert. Poop, pee, and vomit are always impending threats. So I need something that is easily removable and washable. Why does it have to be white? BLEACH, my friends! It’s the nectar of the God’s – blessing your bedding with the gift of immortality. At this point I’ve bleached my duvet more times than my hair (that’s saying a lot), and it still looks as pristine as the day I bought it!
2. Pillow Covers
Protection – that’s the name of the game when you own a pet. So how do you protect your perfectly karate-chopped throw pillows against your dog’s dirty bum and cat’s acid reflux? Pillow Covers! They come in all different colors, textures, and price points. My favorite are these Textured Stonewashed ones that are less than $20 and super easy to spot clean.
3. Throw Blanket
If you hear anything today, hear this: Get a throw blanket to cover your bed with. So many readers suggested this when I complained about Opal’s shedding. But I was stubborn and thought it would detract from the overall aesthetic. Boy was I wrong! Pet-friendly blankets don’t have to be ugly. This Distressed Cotton one is machine washable with a tight weave that’s good against long nails. At night I use it to protect (there’s that word again!) the duvet cover and in the morning it gets folded up at the end of the bed.
4. Patterned Sheets
For a while I believed that white sheets were the way to go but I HATED seeing Opal’s fur on them when it was time for bed. There was a constant battle with my inner Virgo who wanted to wash the sheets every single night. (Ain’t nobody got time for that!) So I made the switch to these On Point Organic Sheets in Taupe. Eco-friendly with a neutral pattern that hides the fact that I’m sleeping on 10 pounds of fur that Opal shed the night before. If I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist – right? 😉
5. Anything Reversible
Let’s face it, sometimes the cat barfs all over the pillow covers and you just can’t get the stain out. Never fear – the Wander Reversible Euro Sham is here! But seriously, instead of tossing something you invested your hard earned money in, just turn it inside out. And voila… it’s like the cat never even threw up in the first place!
Pro Tip: Last year Opal had explosive diarrhea all over the house. I’m talking EVERYWHERE! On white rugs, mudcloth pillow covers, and recently installed carpet. When all else failed, this recipe worked:
Have some stellar advice of your own? Leave your best tips in the comments below!
This post is in partnership with Cstudio Home (a sister brand of The Company Store). However, all thoughts are genuinely my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that keep Emilyeveryday up and running!
6 Comments
Never thought how much of a difference patterned sheets could make but that’s definitely on my list of things to buy now! Thank you for all of these tips. My sweet dog is getting a little older so I have been trying to figure out tips for cleaning pet accidents or all together avoiding them. Keeping these ideas in mind will definitely be helpful for future decorating with pets. Thanks Emily!!
Yay Lindsay! I totally feel you girl, Opal was incontinent for a while (she grew out of it!) and accidents in bed were the worst. I’d also recommend a waterproof mattress protector! Cause everything else you can clean but a mattress is hard to get the smell out of.
This article was on point. I need everything! My cat fur….my caaat fuuurrrrrr!
Hahaha Irmarie, I feel your pain girl!
Emily, I have never had a duvet cover/insert. I always just use a comforter. But I’m seriously considering trying one out.
I have three furry babies (two dogs and a cat) that sleep in my king size bed with me every night so I feel like these tips could really make a difference.
Wait a moment, clean and pets? Never thought about that combination before, great article and recommendations!! My 4 cats and 2 pets would totally like my bed as the picture =) Thanks for the great content keep the good work.