Separate dog towels from the cottage linen
A few separate towels and a clear drying place keep muddy dog equipment from becoming mixed with the cottage's everyday linen.
Bring identifiable towels
Use your own dog towels unless the host specifically provides them. Choose items you can recognise easily when several people are unpacking. A dark colour alone is not a reliable signal that a cottage towel is intended for pets. Tell the rest of the group where your towels are kept, and leave household bath linen in its normal place.
Keep a clean towel separate from the one used at the door. A small washable bag or basket of your own can help contain the used items, but do not leave damp fabric closed away longer than necessary. Find the permitted drying area and avoid draping wet towels over furniture, painted doors or heaters.
Ask before using the machine
A washing machine in the listing does not automatically mean all pet bedding can go in it. Check the host's instructions and the item's own care label. Bulky beds, loose hair and heavily soiled fabric may require another arrangement. Do not force an unsuitable load into the drum or use an unfamiliar cleaning product because it happens to be in the cupboard.
If washing is permitted, leave the machine and surrounding area as instructed. Keep pet items separate from the cottage linen and do not begin a load you cannot finish before departure. A wet blanket is difficult to pack and an unfinished cycle passes the problem to whoever comes next.
Check whether supplied detergent or cleaning items have a particular intended use, and do not mix products. If the host does not permit pet washing in the machine, bring enough towels to manage the stay and take the used set home. A short break rarely benefits from turning laundry into a daily project when a modest spare towel would cover the same need.
Pack the return load deliberately
Take used items home in a separate suitable bag, with a plan to wash or dry them promptly. Check behind doors and on outdoor hooks for anything left to dry. It is surprisingly easy to pack the dog's bed while forgetting the towel used for the final morning walk. Keeping the laundry arrangement modest throughout the stay makes this last check quick and avoids an unnecessary search just as the car is ready.