Which Dog Crates Actually Go in the Washing Machine?
MidWest Homes for Pets’ Spree Single Door crate leads with a fully machine washable cover and a quick pop-up fold. Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate suits puppy training with a washable divider and tray liner. EliteField’s 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate packs into a carry bag and washes just as easily.
MidWest Homes for Pets’ Spree Single Door crate suits most owners who want a genuinely machine washable crate without a premium price. Mesh panels keep air moving, and the fabric cover unzips straight into the washer. A single door limits placement next to a wall compared with two-door designs.
Washable claims vary sharply between listings. Some only cover a removable bed pad, while others mean the whole shell tolerates a full wash cycle. We compared material, wash instructions, size range, and frame type against manufacturer specifications and patterns owners describe about odor control after months of daily use.
The shortlist, ranked
MidWest Homes for Pets Spree Single Door Soft-Sided Dog Crate
Mesh side panels keep air circulating while the zip-off fabric cover goes straight into a washing machine. A steel tube frame pops up and folds flat within seconds, no tools required. Placement stays limited to open-wall setups since only the front door opens.
Pros
- Cover and floor pad both machine wash
- Frame pops up and folds flat without tools
- Mesh panels keep airflow steady
Cons
- Single door limits where the crate can sit
- Fabric floor wears faster than a wire tray
Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate
A removable divider shrinks the interior for a small puppy, then expands as the dog grows. Diamond mesh panels resist teething better than plain wire, and a leak-proof tray liner lifts out for washing. Aluminum construction costs more than fabric crates but collapses flat in one motion.
Pros
- Divider panel grows along with a puppy
- Tray liner lifts out fast after accidents
- Diamond mesh resists chewing better than plain wire
Cons
- Priced above fabric or basic wire crates
- Heavier to move between rooms
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
Three doors on the front, side, and top give access from nearly any angle inside a car or hotel room. An included carry bag folds the whole crate flat like a suitcase. Fabric walls handle a wash cycle, though they wear faster under a dog that scratches at the floor.
Pros
- Three doors ease access in tight spaces
- Included bag simplifies transport
- Fabric shell handles a full wash cycle
Cons
- Floor fabric wears under dogs that scratch
- Not suited to determined chewers
Petsfit Two-Door Folding Soft-Sided Dog Crate
Sizing tops out at 42 inches, covering large breeds that outgrow smaller fabric crates. Two doors split entry between the front and side. Steel corners add rigidity, though the frame still flexes more than a wire equivalent under a strong dog.
Pros
- Sizing extends to large breeds up to 42 inches
- Two doors allow flexible placement
- Washable floor pad helps control odor
Cons
- Less rigid than wire for strong large dogs
- Zippers wear down over years of daily use
Songmics Foldable Soft-Sided Dog Crate
A removable fabric cover and mesh top cover the basics most owners need day to day. Steel corner supports keep the shape steady without adding much weight. No divider ships with this crate, so a growing puppy eventually needs a larger size.
Pros
- Costs less than premium fabric crates
- Washable cover keeps cleanup simple
- Folds compact enough for closet storage
Cons
- No divider panel for a growing puppy
- Mesh feels thinner than reinforced options
AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft-Sided Dog Crate
A lightweight steel frame and basic mesh windows keep the design simple and the price low. The zip-off cover machine washes after muddy walks or vet visits. Thinner floor fabric shows wear sooner under daily use than heavier-built brands.
Pros
- Lowest price among the fabric crates compared here
- Lightweight enough for easy carrying
- Cover washes clean after outdoor messes
Cons
- Floor fabric wears faster under daily use
- Frame flexes more than heavier-built brands
Ownpets Soft-Sided Pet Crate
A compact folded footprint slides under a bed or into a closet between uses. Mesh panels on three sides keep small dogs and cats cool indoors. Sizing stops at small to toy breeds, so it will not fit a medium or large dog.
Pros
- Compact folded size fits small closets
- Washable pad helps control odor in tight spaces
- Light enough to move between rooms solo
Cons
- Not sized for medium or large dogs
- Less durable against a dog that paws at doors
Before you buy
What actually makes a dog crate washable Soft-sided crates use a zip-off fabric shell that separates from a steel frame for the wash cycle. Wire crates like Diggs Revol keep the frame dry and rely on a removable tray liner or divider pad instead. Hard plastic kennels skip the washer entirely and wipe clean with soap and water. Checking the wash tag before buying avoids a shell that only tolerates spot cleaning.
Soft-sided fabric vs wire crates with washable pads Fabric crates fold flatter and weigh less, which suits an owner who moves a crate between rooms often. Reinforced mesh on a crate like Diggs Revol resists chewing and pushing better than plain fabric walls. A wire frame holds its shape under a strong dog, while fabric can sag over time. Calm dogs do fine in fabric; dogs that test a crate need wire with a washable liner instead.
Choosing a washable crate for crate training a puppy A divider panel matters more than fabric choice during house training, since it keeps the space sized to the puppy. Diggs Revol ships with a washable divider that shrinks the crate and expands as the puppy grows. Without a divider, a puppy can soil one end of the crate and sleep in the other. Puppies also teethe on mesh and fabric, so reinforced panels outlast thin nylon.
Picking a washable crate for travel or a small apartment EliteField’s carry bag folds a full-size crate down to suitcase dimensions for car trips or hotel stays. Ownpets Soft-Sided Pet Crate takes up less floor space, which suits studio apartments and small dogs. Weight matters as much as folded size when a crate gets carried up stairs regularly. A crate built for daily travel should machine wash just as easily as one that stays in a bedroom corner.
How they compare
| # | Model | Material | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MidWest Homes for Pets Spree Single Door Soft-Sided Dog Crate | Oxford fabric shell over steel frame | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate | Aluminum frame with steel mesh | Best for crate training puppies | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate | 600D Oxford fabric over steel frame | Best for travel | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Petsfit Two-Door Folding Soft-Sided Dog Crate | Oxford fabric with mesh windows | Best for large breeds | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Songmics Foldable Soft-Sided Dog Crate | Polyester fabric with steel corners | Best value | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft-Sided Dog Crate | Polyester fabric over lightweight steel frame | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Ownpets Soft-Sided Pet Crate | Oxford fabric with mesh panels | Best for apartments and small spaces | 8.0 | Check price |
Frequently asked questions
Can dog crates go in the washing machine?
Most soft-sided crates use a zip-off fabric cover built for a washing machine, while the steel frame stays dry. Wire and plastic crates rely on a removable pad or tray liner instead of washing the whole unit. Always check the manufacturer’s wash tag before the first cycle.
Soft-sided or wire crate, which cleans up easier?
A soft-sided crate wins for whole-shell washing since the fabric cover unzips off the frame. A wire crate with a leak-proof tray wins for quick accident cleanup since the tray lifts out and wipes or rinses fast. Owners with heavy shedders often prefer the fabric option for full odor control.
How do you wash a fabric dog crate?
Unzip the fabric shell from the frame and machine wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Air dry it fully before reassembling, since trapped moisture inside folded fabric can cause odor. Wipe the steel frame separately with a damp cloth.
What size crate does a large dog need?
Measure nose to tail base and floor to head height, then add a few inches to each measurement. Petsfit’s two-door soft-sided crate covers sizing up to 42 inches for many large breeds. A crate that fits snugly limits soiling accidents better than one with excess space.
Are soft-sided dog crates safe for chewers?
Fabric and mesh walls give a determined chewer an easy target, so soft-sided crates suit calm to moderate dogs better. Diggs Revol’s reinforced diamond mesh holds up against more pushing and chewing than plain fabric or thin wire. An owner of a known chewer should lean toward reinforced mesh or heavier wire over fabric shells.
Is a soft-sided crate good for crate training a puppy?
A soft-sided crate works for house training as long as it includes a divider or matches the puppy’s current size closely. Diggs Revol’s washable divider panel adjusts the interior as the puppy grows, which keeps house training on track. Puppies that teethe heavily may need reinforced mesh over basic fabric.
Can a soft dog crate be used for air travel?
Most airlines require a hard-sided kennel that meets specific carrier dimensions, so a folding fabric crate usually will not qualify for cargo travel. EliteField’s soft crate suits car trips and hotel stays instead, folding flat with its included carry bag. Check airline rules directly before booking travel with any crate.
How often should a dog crate cover be washed?
Wash the fabric cover or removable pad weekly during regular use, or right after any accident. A heavy shedder may need the cover washed more often to control odor and buildup. Let the fabric dry completely before zipping it back onto the frame.
What is the best washable crate for a small apartment?
Ownpets Soft-Sided Pet Crate folds into a compact footprint that slides under a bed or into a closet. Its washable pad controls odor in a tight space without needing a full shell wash. Sizing tops out at small to toy breeds, so it will not fit a larger dog.
Our pick
Most calm to moderate dogs do best in the MidWest Homes for Pets Spree crate, given its easy wash routine and simple setup. An owner training a puppy or living with a determined chewer should pick Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate instead, since its reinforced mesh and washable divider hold up through growth stages. Frequent travelers get more value from EliteField’s 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate and its included carry bag.
