Can I Spray Febreze On My Dogs Bed? [All You Must Know]

Do you want to clean your dog’s bed for a fresher smell? Have you got a bottle of Febreze lying around? Perhaps you are even considering purchasing one for this very purpose. Besides, it does such a good job around the rest of the home. So naturally, if you’re thinking about spraying Febreze on your dog’s bed, you will want to know if it’s safe. And even if it were, how to use it properly. That’s what we are going to be looking at here today.

So, can I spray Febreze on my dog’s bed? Provided you use it as directed, you can spray Febreze on your dog’s bed. As with any household product, though, there are some dogs who can develop an allergic reaction (mostly eye redness or a mildly swollen face) if it is ingested or comes into contact with it while it is still wet. For such dogs, alternatives may be used instead.

As such, you are going to want to be careful the first time you use it around your dog – you just don’t know how they are going to respond and react to it.

So let’s get into how, but before we do, let’s explore the safety of this particular product – specifically regarding its toxicity.

Then we can move on to the other subjects, such as whether we can spray it on our dogs directly.

So, here’s everything you’ll want to know and consider.

Is Febreze Toxic For Dogs?

Febreze has not been found to be toxic for dogs. However, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to watch your dog for any signs of an allergic reaction.

There have been various studies on the effects of air care products, and although Febreze fell victim to various rumors on the internet that stated it was unsafe for pets, we know now that veterinary toxicology experts at the APCC (Animal Poison Control Center) have declared Febreze to be safe for use for dogs.

The AMVA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has also declared the rumors about Febreze being dangerously toxic are false.

Many of the false rumors came from mailing lists delivered to dog owners: one cause of death turned out to be heartworm.

People were saying things like, “My pet died after I used Febreze,” – which is not the same as saying, “My pet died because I used Febreze.” No one has found any names, medical records, or research cited to back up these false claims.

Febreze is a water-based fabric freshener that contains a cornstarch formula in a pump sprayer.

As with any home care or other type of product, you must always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

A previous version of Febreze contained trace amounts of zinc chloride, which is a salt that can be toxic in large amounts.

However, the trace amounts are considered safe: zinc chloride is used in eyedrops and mouthwash and is FDA-approved for use in pet foods.

The current version of Febreze now uses a different drying agent. Proctor & Gamble’s fact sheet states that the safety data on Febreze “was reviewed by more than 100 scientists, doctors, safety experts, and veterinarians, and all have come to the same conclusion: Febreze is safe.”

Should your dog come into contact with Febreze while it’s still wet, he may have a slight allergic reaction, such as:

• Mild skin irritation
• Red eyes
• Slight stomach upset (if he licks a wet spot, thereby ingesting it)

Make sure you keep your dog away from anywhere you’ve sprayed Febreze until the product dries fully.

Note: If you have birds as well as dogs, know that birds are more sensitive to airborne chemicals and will have to be removed from any room in which aerosols are used. Once the product has dried and the room has been fully ventilated, the birds can be returned to their usual place.

How To Use Febreze On Your Dog’s Bed

Using Febreze on your dog’s bed is easy to do.

Clean Your Dog’s Bed of Excess Hair

Brush your dog’s bed thoroughly to remove any excess hair, dirt, etc. You may need to use a brush attachment if your dog sheds a lot.

Vacuum around the inside, outside, and bottom of your dog’s bed, as well as around his sleeping area.

Make sure you reach into the corners of the bed and underneath the fabric trim.

In addition to removing dirt and hair, vacuuming first will help ensure the removal of unhatched eggs from insects (like fleas).

Pre-Treat Any Stains

If you see stains on your dog’s bed, such as those left by feces, urine, or dirt, use an enzyme-powered stain remover.

Follow the directions on your stain remover (make sure it’s suitable for use with pets).

Note: Avoid any cleaner or spot remover that has harsh chemicals, such as bleach.

Remove All Pets From The Room

If you have any other pets, such as birds or a cat, put them in another room until the Febreze has dried and the room has been fully ventilated.

The lungs of birds and mammals are smaller, and those of birds are also more specialized: their respiratory systems don’t respond well to air care products.

Cats and other pets are fine to stay in the room, provided they aren’t tempted to jump on your dog’s wet bed.

Spray Febreze

Spray Febreze on your dog’s bed according to the instructions on the label. Febreze works best when you spray the bed until the fabric is damp.

Wait Till It Dries

Keep your dog away from his wet bed until the Febreze has fully dried.

Is Febreze Good For Dog Smell?

Febreze is effective for fighting against dog smell. In addition, it’s worth knowing that Febreze works differently from air fresheners. Febreze also has a Pet Odor Eliminator, which many consumers say works very well.

How Febreze Works

Some air fresheners mask odors, making matters worse, but Febreze can be effective for dog smell for different reasons.

Febreze won’t get rid of the odor molecules – the only way to do that is by cleaning the area thoroughly.

Febreze uses chemical compounds (cyclodextrins) to trap odors so we can’t smell them.

The chemical compounds are derived from corn, and Febreze has a special formula called Febreze’s Pet Odor Eliminator, which works well according to a very large number of reviews on a wide variety of platforms.

The only complaints from some consumers were that they wished the smell of Febreze would last longer, and some people had difficulty getting the spray nozzle to work properly.

Active Ingredients In Febreze

Here is a list of the active ingredients in Febreze, along with what they are designed to do:

• Alcohol. Alcohol comes from fermented grains and fruit and dries fabrics after they’ve been sprayed.
• Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride. This mineral-based fabric penetration aid helps Fabreze get into fabrics effectively to find odor molecules.
• Cyclodextrin (hydroxypropyl). Cyclodextrin comes from corn and potatoes and is used for trapping odor molecules.
• Diethylene Glycol. This ingredient is found in perfumes and cosmetics and teams up with cyclodextrin to capture and mask odor molecules.
• Fragrance. Flowers, fruit, and other items create pleasing scents.
• PEG-60 (hydrogenated castor oil). This oil comes from castor beans and helps ensure the effectiveness of Fabreze with each spray from the bottle.
• Sodium Citrate. This ingredient is what makes seltzer water bubbly – it also provides the zest you’ll find in pine needles and citrus fruits. It helps balance the pH of unpleasant odors to help neutralize them.
• Sodium Maleate. This substance is what gives pears and apples their tartness, and it also helps balance the pH of bad odors.
• Polyamine Polymer. Commonly found in detergents, this ingredient helps lock odor molecules that tend to linger, especially ones from fatty cooking.
• Modified Polydimethicone. Otherwise known as silica, this natural mineral is found in spinach and bananas and helps Febreze penetrate fabrics effectively to find odor molecules.
• Water. Last but not least, pure H2O leads the above active ingredients to the odor molecules so that they can do their job.

Alternatives To Febreze To Use On Your Dog’s Bed

There are other ways to clean and freshen your dog’s bed without using Febreze.

An Alternative Bed Freshening Method

Here’s how you can freshen your dog’s bed without using Febreze:

1. Vacuum your dog’s bed to remove stray hair and dirt
2. Mix a combination of 50% laundry detergent (pet-safe) and 50% water in a clean spray bottle
3. Spray the mixture on your dog’s bed. Don’t soak it, though – just spray a fine mist over the whole bed
4. Sprinkle the bed with baking soda
5. Leave the baking soda for a few hours to soak up the smells
6. Vacuum the bed thoroughly
7. Flip the bed over and repeat the above process on the other side

Note: If your dog’s bed is especially dirty and you have to wash it beforehand, you can either put it in the machine or wash it by hand. To wash by hand, fill a tub with the hottest water possible. Pour in ¼ cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of pet-friendly detergent. The vinegar will neutralize odors, while the detergent will break down the stains and dirt. Submerge the bed and let it soak for at least 15 minutes. Before applying the freshening method above, let the bed dry thoroughly.

Homemade Febreze Formula

You can make your own kind of Febreze using ingredients you probably already have at home.

In a 16-ounce glass spray bottle, combine the following:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 10 drops essential oil (be sure the oil you choose is safe for dogs – see below. Lavender is a good choice, whereas citrus and tea tree are toxic for dogs)

Next, follow these steps:

1. Put the baking soda in a bowl
2. Add the essential oil, using a fork to mix the oil into the baking soda
3. Put the baking soda mixture into the spray bottle (using a funnel, if needed)
4. Add the distilled water and shake gently to combine
5. Spray wherever you want to freshen up your home

Can I Spray Febreze On My Dog?

Under no circumstances should you spray Febreze on your dog. Febreze is only meant for use on fabrics, not animals.

Using Febreze Correctly

Febreze is meant to remove odors from furniture, not from animals, and should never be used for any other purpose.

If you spray Febreze directly onto your dog, you risk the following:

• Irritated skin
• Red eyes
• Upset stomach (your dog could lick the area where you’ve sprayed, thereby ingesting Febreze, which is not meant to be consumed orally)

Alternatives To Use On Your Dog’s Fur

There are several alternatives available to help a stinky dog.

Commercial Products for Pets

There are some ready-made sprays that are for dogs, such as:

• Arm & Hammer Kiwi Blossom Super Deodorizing Dog Spray – view on Amazon.
• Zero Odor Pet Odor Eliminator Spray – view on Amazon.
• Kin+Kind Natural Lavender Dog Odor Neutralizer Spray – view on Amazon.
• SKOUT’S HONOR: Probiotic Deodorizer with Avocado Oil – view on Amazon.

Homemade Alternatives

Try these solutions that you can do at home:

• An aromatherapy shampoo (make sure the shampoo is made for dogs. Not all essential oils are safe for dogs)
• Brush your dog regularly – at least 2 to 5 times a week. The brushing distributes natural oils throughout his fur and gets rid of dead fur
• Give your dog a quick dry bath – try patting his fur with baking soda or cornstarch
• Make a homemade spray of 50% organic apple cider vinegar and 50% water
• Try cleansing wipes – just be sure they’re made for dogs

Finally

So there we have it; you should be able to use Febreze on your dog’s bed.

So long as:

• You use it as per the manufacturer’s directions 
• You let it dry fully,
• You seek out other alternatives should your dog show signs of an allergic reaction to it.

Nevertheless, most owners find this to be an effective cleaning and odor-reducing product.

So perhaps give it a go on a small patch of furniture elsewhere in the home.

Let it dry.

And then introduce your dog to the area.

See how they get on.

From there, and assuming nothing negative ensues, you can always test a small part of their bed first.

Again get positive feedback and then increase the amount accordingly. 

Otherwise, perhaps look into other pet-friendly odor eliminators, or make your own home version, as previously discussed! 

Other guides you may want to check out:

• Can I Spray Lysol On Dog Bed?