Dog sweaters, pajamas and dresses pick up fur, skin oil and mud faster than you might expect. A wash routine that suits the fabric keeps them soft and helps them last.
Step 1: Check the Care Label First
The AKC points out that while most dog sweaters are machine-washable, some may require handwashing and need to be air dried, so the label is still an essential backup. Some Fitwarm dresses are labeled hand wash, though. The I Am The Good Witch Halloween Dress lists hand wash on its product page.
Step 2: Remove Fur and Mud Before Washing
Shake each piece outside, then run a lint roller over the inside, where loose fur collects. Brush dried mud off before it goes in the machine, and close any snaps or Velcro tabs so they do not catch on other pieces. Our guide to removing dog hair before laundry covers more tricks.
Step 3: Sort by Fabric and Color
Wash dark colors together and keep light pieces apart. Put tutu dresses, sequin dresses and fleece clothes in a mesh laundry bag, away from towels, jeans and anything with Velcro.
Step 4: Wash Cold on a Gentle Cycle
Fitwarm recommends cold water for every load. Our guide to winter dog clothes shrinkage says to use cold water with the gentlest cycle the label allows. Cold water is usually the safer choice for color and for shrink-prone fabrics. It is not a sanitizing step, though, so for a heavily soiled piece, pre-treat the spot first instead of switching to a hotter cycle.
Use a small amount of mild detergent, and do not overload the machine. Each piece needs room to move, or the dirt and fur stay in the fabric.
Step 5: Skip the Dryer for Fleece and Knits
Dryer heat can flatten fleece and change how it feels. Our guide to winter dog clothes shrinkage explains why air drying is the safer choice for fleece.
Layered dresses need extra care too. The Fancy Tulle Dress is a good example: a velvet and tulle layer crafted in 100% polyester, and its product description does not list a wash instruction, so the care label is an essential place to check before you wash it.
Step 6: Dry Flat and Reshape
Lay each piece flat on a towel, reshape the neckline and cuffs, and let it dry away from direct heat (not on a radiator). Thick knits and layered dresses can take a full day to dry, so check the seams and the inside of the cuffs before your dog wears the piece again.
Keep a Spare Ready for the Next Walk
Have a second sweater ready for the next walk. The AVMA guide on cold weather animal safety notes that wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder, and the AKC suggests having enough sweaters to wash one each time your dog wears it.
If a sweater keeps changing shape after a careful cold wash and a flat dry, the fibers are probably worn out. At that point it is usually better to replace it than to keep washing it.
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