How to Wash Dog Diapers and Belly Bands (Without Ruining Them)

Washable dog diapers and belly bands are a lifesaver for a female dog in season, a male dog who marks indoors, a senior dog with leaks, or a puppy still learning. But a reusable diaper is only as good as its washing. Get it wrong and the pad stops absorbing, the hook and loop strip clogs with hair, and the whole thing starts to smell even when clean. This guide covers what to do with a used one, wash and dry settings, getting out stains and smell, and how many to own.

The wash settings below follow the care instructions from Pet Parents, a washable diaper maker, in our own words, linked under further reading. Brands differ, so check the label on yours. If your dog is leaking urine for no clear reason, has blood in its urine or sore skin under the diaper, see your veterinarian.

Right after you take it off

Tip any poop into the toilet or a bag for the bin. Do not put solids in the washer.
Rinse the pad under cold running water until the water runs clearer. Cold water is the safer choice for urine and blood; hot water can set stains.
Close the hook and loop strip (the Velcro) on itself, so it cannot grab hair or snag other items.
Store it in a lidded bucket or a washable wet bag until wash day. A dry bucket with a lid smells less than one full of water, and it is safer around children and pets.

Wash used diapers every day or two. Leaving them longer lets odor build up in the pad.

How to wash dog diapers and belly bands

Fasten the strap and turn the diaper or band inside out, so the absorbent inner fabric faces the water.
Use a pet laundry detergent or a free and clear (unscented) detergent at the dose on the bottle.
Wash on a permanent press cycle in warm water, which is what Pet Parents recommends for its belly bands and diapers.
No bleach and no fabric softener. Pet Parents warns both can affect how well the pad absorbs.
Add an extra rinse if your machine has one, so no detergent is left in the pad.
Wash them on their own or with other pet items, not with your clothes or towels.

Drying

Dry on a delicates (low heat) setting, or air dry. High heat can wear out the elastic and the waterproof layer.
Make sure the pad is completely dry before your dog wears it again. A damp pad smells and is uncomfortable.
Pick hair out of the hook and loop strip with an old toothbrush or a fine comb now and then, so it keeps holding.

Stains and smell that will not go

Blood spots from a dog in heat: rinse in cold water as soon as you can, then soak in cold water with an enzyme laundry booster before washing. Do not use hot water first.
A pad that smells after washing: usually detergent buildup or urine left in the pad. Run a wash with no detergent and an extra rinse, or soak it in cold water with an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine, then wash as normal.
Urine runs off instead of soaking in: the same buildup is usually the cause. Strip it with a detergent free wash and extra rinse, and stop using softener.
Elastic gone loose, waterproof layer cracked or pad thin: replace it. A worn diaper leaks onto your floors and furniture.

How many do you need?

Plan on enough for a day and a half: one on the dog, a few in the bucket and some in the wash. For a dog who needs one all day, that usually means at least three to five. Owning enough means you never have to put a damp one back on.

Keep your dog comfortable

Change the diaper or band as soon as it is wet or soiled.
Check the skin underneath each time for redness or soreness, and keep the area clean and dry.
Give your dog regular diaper free time.
Diapers and bands manage the mess but not the reason for it. Ask your vet about leaks, and a trainer or your vet about marking.

Clean up the leaks

Diapers slip. For the accidents that get past them, see how to get dog pee out of clothes and bedding and how to clean a dog bed. After a few loads of pet laundry, give the machine a clean too: see how to clean pet hair and odor out of a washing machine and dryer.

Blood spots from a dog in heat on the carpet or sofa? See how to clean blood spots off carpet, bedding and furniture.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit is made for pet urine stains and odors on carpets and fabrics, for the times a diaper leaks onto the rug or sofa.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put washable dog diapers in the washing machine?

Yes. Remove any solids, rinse, fasten the strap, turn it inside out and wash on a warm permanent press cycle with an unscented or pet detergent. No bleach or fabric softener.

How do I get the smell out of washable dog diapers?

Wash them within a day or two, use the right detergent dose and an extra rinse, and skip softener. If they still smell, soak them in cold water with an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine and wash again.

Can I put dog diapers in the dryer?

On low heat or a delicates setting, yes. Air drying is gentler on the elastic and the waterproof layer.

How do I get period blood out of a dog diaper?

Rinse it in cold water as soon as possible, soak in cold water with an enzyme laundry booster, then wash as normal. Avoid hot water until the stain is gone.