Cat bed and washer

[thecatlikesmebest]

I confess I have never washed a cat bed because I assumed they would ruin the washer.
I just give them a bash outside and buy new ones about once a year.
Now he has fleas and I need to either throw the beds out or wash them.
I am very allergic to cats (the cat was temporary 12 years ago) and I don't want my clothes tainted with cat hair.
What do other people do?

You have a cat that sleeps in a cat bed?!
😮

They tend to block the filter of the machine with fur (bitter experience) I think you can buy bags to put them in to wash which stop the fur blocking the machine. Pet magic bags seems to be the name. Our present cat never sleeps in anything that is called a cat bed so I haven't investigated.

Fur magic bags - lots of sources if you google

That made me laugh, I must admit.
Most cats refuse to sleep in their beds.
If you haven't got a cat any more just throw the bed out.

Weird! Your cat sleeps in a cat bed?
Sorry, not very helpful

Woah I have never heard of these! What a great idea!

He has three beds in different parts of the house and yes, he uses them all at different times of day. Maybe because he isn't allowed on beds or sofas? As in really not allowed.
Those bags sound ...magic. "Ideal for dog cat horse or rabbit"😂
furmagic.co.uk/product/fur-magic-pet-laundry-bag-hair-catchers-limited-edition/
I have ordered one!

I have the Fur Magic wash bag for the fleece liners in our guinea pigs cage. They are really good.

Cat allergies are to proteins in saliva/dander so as long as you use a bio/enzyme based detergent you'll destroy the proteins.

I always give the cat beds/blankets a good hoover before washing.

Mine has a cat teepee and adores it!

Mine is currently on a bed however it was made from one of my old pillows which means it smells of me and therfore he loves it

Snoring away

Anyway bash it outside to get rid of the bits first then wash with some vamoosh pet hair dissolver

I use a rubber brush to remove fur, then put them in the washing machine, sometimes brush them again while damp as well and then dry them.

I remove the collected fur from the door seal and wipe the door of the machine, then run it on a cleaning cycle. Then check the seal and door again. Finally, if I am not convinced or have had a very moulty cat I will run some old towels in a long, hot wash which seems to pick up the last of the fur.

I’m struggling to understand how cat bedding in your machine is an issue for your allergy but living with a cat isn’t? Their hair goes everywhere unless they’re not an indoors cat but that doesn’t make sense since they have a bed??

Anyway, a wash bag is your answer as PP advised we used them for guinea pig bedding too to keep hay out of the machine.

If OP is like me, she will find that the small hairs and dander irritate eyes and face but is fine with living with a cat. I have to wash my face after cuddling/grooming current cat, not always the same with other cats.
I also put a dressing gown over my clothes to groom in order to keep myself dander free (relatively). I try to remember not to kiss her head (cat that is) but if I do I feel ticking until I wash. A cuddle is OK but long cuddles involving brushes are not.

Sorry, forgot to add, fine hairs from washing beds do get on subsequent loads and they can irritate.
For some reason I find that female cats are a problem males not. Also rabbits.

Living with a cat is a major PITA.
I went on holiday recently and had a blissful itch free week.I agreed to the cat when DS was 11. My eyes and nose stream and itch and my asthma is made worse. I wash my hands after touching him and he never comes on my lap, only DH.
DS has left home now but I still have the cat. He has a cat flap and goes out but when inside (23 hours a day) he sleeps in his beds.
I keep bedroom doors closed and he is shut in the kitchen at night, from where he can go out or sleep in one of his beds.