Save Your Seats With a DIY Washable Dog Car Seat Cover

Free your car from dirty pawprints all while making your four-legged friend's ride a lot more comfortable.

DIY Washable Dog Car Seat Cover
Loading Video...
Show: HGTV Happy

If you own a dog, odds are the interior of your car makes that fact pretty obvious. Fur on the carpet, paw prints on the seat and an unexplainable amount of dirt and grass all over your backseat. The only way to avoid these dog ownership side effects is to spend an arm and a leg on one of those fancy car seat covers — until now.

Materials Needed

  • 4’ -x- 5’ canvas drop cloth
  • measuring tape
  • pen
  • grommet kit
  • hammer
  • scrap piece of wood
  • nylon strapping
  • side-release buckles
  • household sponge
  • scissors
  • fabric paint

Prep Canvas

Start by measuring, marking and adding your grommets to the canvas. Measure 8 inches and 15 inches from the corner on the short side and place a grommet at each mark. Repeat on the remaining three corners.

Add Nylon Strapping

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

When adding your strapping, you don’t need a certain measurement, just enough be able to tighten and loosen as needed. Slide a piece of nylon through each set of two grommets and add the side-release buckles once threaded through.

Finish Off With Paw “Prints”

Easily up the cuteness factor of your new seat cover by adding stamped pawprints. Just cut a dish sponge into a large paw pad shape and a small digital pad (aka doggie toe) shape. Use fabric paint to stamp the shape in place. Just like that, your car seats are safe and clean, and you still have money for gas!

Car Seat Protector Covers Seats and Protects Them From Dog

A Happy Dog Sits Up in the Back of a Car and Smiles

A beautiful dog sits in the back of a car on top of a car seat protector covered in stamps of paw prints. The dog is smiling and wearing a checkered bandana.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Next Up

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Keep your leather car seats in pristine condition with these DIY cleaning solutions and unconventional stain-removing hacks.

How to Clean a Child's Car Seat

Nix the dirt and left-behind crumbs from your kid's in-car snack break. Keep your family's car seats and booster seats clean with these easy routines for spot-cleaning and tackling stains.

How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Clothes, Upholstery and Car Seats

Oils and minerals in sunscreens can often stain clothing and upholstery. Learn how to remove sunscreen from furniture, clothes and other fabrics before stains set in.

Need a New Rug? You Can Save 20% Off Washable Rugs During Ruggable's Annual Birthday Sale

These washable rugs have a cult following, and right now you can snag one for so much less!

24 Best Machine-Washable Rugs Under $500

Machine-washable, on-trend and less than $500, these area rugs and runners are basically magic carpets.

How to Remove or Replace a Toilet Seat

Remove and replace a broken or old toilet seat in no time. We share the easy steps below.

How to Build Banquette Seating With Built-in Storage

Optimize seating and storage with an L-shaped bench that will turn any corner into a cozy destination.

8 Best Gardening Seats and Kneelers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Get a little extra support in the garden with these comfortable seats, stools and kneelers, making it easier to plant, weed and do other gardening chores.

Here's What We Thought After Testing Ruggable's Washable Rugs in 2024

Find out how well Ruggable washable rugs actually stand up to stains, dirt and pet accidents. Plus, find out where you can buy one for your home.

Planting and Caring for Moonflowers

Our garden experts offer moonflower planting, growing and care tips for this blooming vine.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.