How to Clean a Dog Car Seat Cover, Hammock and Booster Seat

A dog seat cover, back seat hammock or booster seat does its job by getting dirty instead of your car. After a few muddy walks, a shedding season or a carsick ride, it is full of hair, grit and smell, and it is easy to wash it the wrong way: makers warn against the dryer, harsh detergents and, for some covers, top-loading machines with an agitator. This guide covers how to clean each kind.

It follows the care instructions of the pet travel makers Kurgo, for its Wander hammock, and PetSafe, for its Happy Ride dog safety seat, and Humane World for Animals on pet stains and odors. Check the label and manual for your own cover or seat first.

After every trip: get the hair and grit out

Shake the cover out outdoors, or brush off loose dirt. Kurgo’s first step is to brush off loose dirt with a dry brush.
Vacuum it in place with a brush or upholstery tool, including the seams and the seat belt openings.
Pick up the last hair with a lint roller or a slightly damp rubber glove.
Let a wet cover dry in the car with the windows open, or take it out, rather than leaving it folded damp.

Seat covers and hammocks

Kurgo says that, in general, washing by hand and hang air drying is the best way to care for its products, and that a washing machine is for occasions when the mess is too great and time is too tight.

Hand washing (small messes)

Brush off loose dirt with a dry brush.
Spot clean with a damp sponge, cold water and mild soap. Kurgo says to avoid harsh detergents.
Rinse the area if necessary, to get rid of excess soap.
Hang it to air dry. Kurgo says not to machine dry it.

Machine washing (bigger messes)

Secure all buckles and hardware, as Kurgo says, so they do not bang around or snag the fabric.
Use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle. Kurgo says to machine wash only on gentle in front-loading units, and not to use a machine with an agitator, as it could cause damage.
Wash with cold water and mild soap, avoiding harsh detergents.
Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue.
Hang it to air dry. No dryer.

Other makers’ covers may differ, so follow your label. Shake and vacuum off as much hair as possible before machine washing; see pet hair and odor in the washing machine and dryer.

Booster seats and dog car seats

PetSafe’s steps for its Happy Ride dog safety seat:

Take it apart. Remove the liner, then unzip the fabric cover and take it off the seat frame.
Wipe the frame with unscented soap and warm water.
Wash the fabric pieces with cold water and line dry. PetSafe notes that the fabric pieces can be cleaned in a washing machine.
Make sure every part is completely dry before you put the seat back together, as PetSafe says.

For other booster seats, check whether the cover zips off. If it does not, vacuum it and spot clean it like a seat cover. Check the tether and straps for wear while the seat is apart.

Urine, vomit and carsickness

Pull over when it is safe and pick up solids with paper towels or a bag.
Blot liquid, do not rub it in.
Take the cover out and rinse the soiled area with cold water.
Wash it as the label says. For machine-washable items that still smell, Humane World for Animals suggests adding a box of baking soda to your regular detergent, air drying if possible, and washing again with an enzymatic cleaner if you can still see or smell the soiling. Check the enzyme product is labeled for laundry use, and that the cover’s maker allows it.
Check the car seat underneath. Urine and vomit can run off the edge or through the seat belt openings. See how to clean a pet accident in your car.

Humane World recommends enzymatic cleaners because they break down pet waste odors. If your dog gets carsick often, talk to your veterinarian.

What not to do

The dryer. Kurgo and PetSafe both say to air or line dry.
A top-loader with an agitator, which Kurgo says could damage its covers.
Hot water and harsh detergents. Kurgo says cold water and mild soap, and PetSafe cold water for the fabric and unscented soap for the frame.
Ammonia and vinegar on urine. Humane World advises avoiding them, because strong chemical smells may encourage a pet to mark the same spot again.
Putting a damp cover or seat back in the car, where it starts to smell of mildew.
Strongly scented sprays. Your dog’s nose is right on the cover for the whole ride.

Make cleanup easier

Keep an old towel or blanket on top of the cover for muddy days. It goes in the wash, the cover stays clean.
Wipe paws before your dog gets in; see how to clean muddy paw prints.
Brush your dog before long trips to cut down on hair.
Have two covers if your dog rides often, so one is always clean and dry.

For hair on the rest of the car, see how to remove pet hair from a car.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit has gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch. Keep it in the car for accidents on the road. Check the label for which fabrics each product suits, and test it on a hidden spot first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a dog seat cover in the washing machine?

Often yes, if the label allows it. Kurgo, for example, says to secure all buckles, wash on gentle in a front-loading machine with cold water and mild soap, and hang it to dry. It says not to use a machine with an agitator.

Can I put a dog hammock in the dryer?

Kurgo says no: hang it to air dry. For other covers, check the label.

How do I clean a dog booster seat?

Take the fabric cover off the frame, wipe the frame with unscented soap and warm water, wash the fabric in cold water and line dry it, as PetSafe advises for its Happy Ride seat. Let every part dry before putting it back together.

How do I get vomit smell out of a car seat cover?

Remove solids, rinse with cold water, and wash the cover as its label says. If it still smells, wash it again with a laundry-safe enzymatic cleaner, and check the car seat underneath.

Sources

Kurgo: Wander Hammock instructions and care (PDF)
PetSafe: How to clean your Happy Ride dog safety seat
Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow your cover or seat maker’s instructions and the product label, and test cleaners on a hidden area first.