Pet owners everywhere have probably tried washing their dogs at home at least once—and many can relate to the challenges it brings. From bending over for hours to trying to keep an energetic dog still enough to clean, it’s often a tiring task. If only there was an easier way, right?
Fortunately, some pet owners have gotten creative by setting up their own dog washing stations in their HDB homes. We take a closer look at some of the real-life examples
What are the benefits of building a dog washing station at home?
Image credit: @cheryltxx
One of the biggest perks of having a dog washing station at home is saying goodbye to sore knees from all that squatting and bending. A well-built station is usually elevated to a comfortable height, making it much easier to scrub down your dog—especially if they’re the wiggly sort. Plus, you won’t have to share your bathroom with your pet anymore, which is a game-changer if you’ve got a level 5 shedder at home. Say goodbye to fur clogging up your shower drain.
With a dedicated setup, you can include a tub deep enough to hold water for rinsing off your furbabies properly, along with handy features like a leash or collar mount to keep them from bolting mid-bath. It also saves you the hassle—and cost—of regular trips to the groomer. That’s money you can use to buy them more treats instead.
And if you end up not using the dog wash for its original purpose all the time, no worries. You can still repurpose it for laundry and deep-cleaning tasks, like soaking stained clothes, washing muddy shoes, or even scrubbing down bulky household items.
How much does it cost to build a dog washing station?
Image credit: @oureastsideflat
For Lemon8 homeowners @oureastsideflat, a custom dog washing station was built into the service yard of their 4-room BTO. They spent $3.6K on this standalone setup, with most of the cost going towards the cement wash basin, tiling, and labour. In their Lemon8 post, they also shared that their interior designers had sought HDB’s approval before starting construction—an important step if you’re planning to do the same.
Similarly, Lemon8 homeowner @cheryltxx considered a dog washing station a must-have, especially since she bathes her dogs regularly and plans to stay in her flat long-term. In her own words: girl math = worth it. Instead of going the tiled route like the previous example, she chose quartz for the wet zone, adding a more polished finish to her space.
Real-life dog washing stations and homeowner reviews
Image credit: Bunnings
A pros-and-cons list is helpful, sure—but there’s nothing quite like hearing it straight from homeowners themselves. On Lemon8, dog owners @oureastsideflat and @cheryltxx have shared glowing reviews of their custom-built dog washing stations. The biggest win? Finally saying goodbye to the awkward ritual of squatting, kneeling, and doing makeshift yoga poses just to give their pets a bath.
For both of them, the upgrade brought added convenience: a built-in showerhead for fuss-free rinsing, plus shelves to keep cleaning supplies within easy reach—no more juggling bottles with wet hands.
Image credit: @oureastsideflat
Image credit: @cheryltxx
Over on Reddit, another homeowner echoed the sentiment, calling their raised dog wash station in the laundry room the “best thing [they] ever did.” With two therapy dogs that require frequent baths, they invested in a professional faucet and sprayer combo, and even installed a hanging rod above the space to dry extra clothes. Their pro tip? Always include a drain with hair catcher baskets to avoid the dreaded fur clogs.
Factors to consider before building a dog washing station
Image credit: HDB
Building a dog washing station could a relatively involved process, as @oureastsideflat stated in their post. They recommend that you ask your contractor regarding permits needed or cement base guidelines for when it comes to building tubs for the dog. In HDB units, any plumbing, tiling or wet‑zone alteration requires official renovation approval—and must be executed by an HDB-registered contractor and a PUB‑licensed plumber.
For condo owners, check your MCST by‑laws carefully before altering shared utility or wet zones. Skipping these steps could lead to enforcement action or costly rectification works. Space is usually tight in Singapore homes, so optimising layout is key. Most homeowners install their dog wash in the service yard or laundry area—it gives easy access to water lines while keeping your main living spaces dry. The station should accommodate a raised basin, integrated drain, showerhead and shelves, without blocking utility access.
Apart from tiles, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got non-slip flooring, and a hanger rod or leash mount to ensure your dog won’t just yeet right out of there the minute the water comes on. PSA: don’t overlook ventilation and moisture control. A setup placed near windows or in a breezy service yard helps prevent mould buildup and damp smells.
Is a dog washing station worth it?
Image credit: @oureastsideflat
Whether or not a dog washing station is worth the renovation really depends on the individual fur parent. For some, being able to bathe their pet at home is part of the joy of pet ownership—it’s less about convenience and more about caring for their fur baby themselves, rather than outsourcing the task to a grooming centre.
Others may find the practical benefits—like time savings and reduced grooming bills—reason enough to make the upgrade, especially if their pets need frequent baths. Either way, we hope this article has helped to illustrate how a dedicated dog washing station can make a real difference for both pet and owner, and given you some inspiration for your own renovation plans.
For more articles about HDBs in Singapore:
- How to cat-proof your HDB
- This owner gave her dog its own bedroom in her 3-room executive condominium
- In Good Company x SOJAO collab to create ‘Pet Swaddle’ to carry your furry friends around
Cover image adapted from:@audreycrispinteriors, @oureastsideflat
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