With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
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what → figure → content
While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends (and questions) on our timelines, like how often you should wash jeans.
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you → have → jeans
Between muddy paws, drool, and the occasional accident, your dog’s bed, blankets, and toys can get dirty fast.
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bed → get → paws
And if you’ve shopped for laundry supplies lately, you may have noticed a growing number of detergents made specifically for pets, with promises to tackle odors and stains while being gentler on your dog’s skin.
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you → shop → skin
But are they actually any different from the detergent you already use?
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you → use → detergent
Most of us aren’t looking to add another expense to our bills for household essentials.
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Most → look → essentials
So I spoke to two veterinarians to find out what sets pet laundry detergents apart from regular ones, and which ones are the best if you find that you should be using one of these formulas to clean your furry friend’s things.
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you → speak → things
Pet laundry detergent is exactly what it sounds like: detergent sold with your pet’s things in mind.
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it → sound → mind
“Pet laundry detergents are products marketed specifically for washing things pets use, such as bedding, blankets, crate pads, washable toys, towels, and clothing,” says Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian at Vetster, a pet telehealth company.
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Myers → market → Vetster
That doesn’t mean your dog’s bed needs its own special soap, though.
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bed → mean → soap
“Pet laundry detergent is more of a marketing term than a necessity, and most pets do not need a detergent specifically formulated for them,” says Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance.
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Cahn → need → Insurance
“If owners do choose a pet-specific product, one potential benefit is that it may contain enzymes or other ingredients designed to break down pet-related stains and odors, which can be especially useful for washing bedding, towels, and toys.
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which → choose → bedding
The best laundry detergents for pets
If you decide a pet-specific formula is right for your household, there are plenty of options to choose from.
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formula → decide → options
To help narrow them down, I rounded up highly-rated pet laundry detergents.
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I → help → detergents
Each made-for-pets detergent in this list is designed to tackle the stains and odors that come with washing your dog’s (or cat’s) bedding, blankets, and toys.
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that → make → bedding
NBC Selected editors also shared the detergents they use for their pets below.
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they → share → pets
This powder detergent uses enzymes to break down pet urine, sweat, oils, and other protein-based stains, the kind of formula Cahn says can be especially useful for bedding, towels, and toys.
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Cahn → use → bedding
It’s designed to neutralize stubborn stenches like wet dog smell, and it works in standard and high-efficiency washers.
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it → design → washers
A 2-pound bag handles up to 64 loads, according to the brand, so even though it’s a bit pricey it should last you a while.
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it → handle → you
This detergent is a triple-concentrated, low-sudsing liquid that’s safe for high-efficiency washers, and the brand says it tackles tough odors, stains, and heavy soils.
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it → concentrate → odors
A 64-ounce jug handles up to 96 washes, so depending on how often you wash your fur babies’ things, you’ll likely have it for several months.
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you → handle → months
This liquid detergent uses a blend of enzymes to lift stains and odors that come from urine, feces, blood, saliva, and vomit.
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that → use → urine
It’s free of dyes and fragrance, the type of formula Myers says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests for pets with sensitive skin.
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Center → ’ → skin
It also comes in a lightly scented version and they both work in high-efficiency washers.
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they → come → washers
You’ll need 1 to 2 ounces for a regular-size load, so this 32-ounce bottle may not last as long as some of the others on this list.
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bottle → need → list
This isn’t a detergent on its own but an additive you pour in with your regular detergent.
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you → pour → detergent
It’s designed to remove tough pet odors from beds, blankets, carriers, and collars in a single wash, according to the brand, and it works in standard and high-efficiency washers.
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it → design → washers
You only need no more than a capful for light odors, so unless you have a furry friend who gets into really stinky things, this 98-ounce bottle will last a long time.
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bottle → need → things
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans uses this detergent for her entire family, including her 3-year-old silky terrier Minni.
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Evans → select → Minni
“Thankfully she doesn’t shed, but she does start to smell like a corn chip factory between baths.
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she → shed → baths
Every time I bathe her, I wash her blankets, harnesses, bedding and favorite toys in this,” she says.
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she → bathe → this
“I’ve never had an issue getting odors out — though, she is only 7 pounds.
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she → have → odors
I just love that she isn’t particularly sensitive, so I don’t need to invest in anything outside of what we already buy.”
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we → love → what
Evans does have a bag of Active Pet Laundry Detergent that she got from a colleague to test.
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she → have → colleague
“If ever there’s a smell or stain that my tried-and-true won’t remove, I’m switching to this,” she says.
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she → ’ → this
I recently switched my entire family over to this laundry detergent — including my 7-year-old French bulldog, Myko.
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I → switch → bulldog
It’s gentle enough for my kids, as well as Myko’s sensitive skin.
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It → ’ → kids
French bulldogs are notoriously prone to allergies and Myko frequently has little red patches of irritation.
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Myko → have → irritation
The last thing I want is lingering detergent on her favorite blanket or harness to further inflame her skin.
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I → want → skin
This detergent is free of chemicals, but still manages to get out gross pet odors, stains and more.
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detergent → manage → odors
…and 19 more, not listed.
The Aporia
