Wondering if you can wash your sofa cover? There is no easy answer to this question, as it depends a lot on the upholstery fabric, whether it can be removed from the pad, and most importantly, what the manufacturer’s recommendations are.
However, since dirty sofa cushions can spoil the look of your living room, it’s crucial to know if and how to wash them. If you can’t wash them, can you find cleaning them? Or should I rely on professional cleaning?
So if you’re wondering how to clean your sofa from top to bottom, this expert advice will be invaluable. Below, they share their tips on whether they can safely wash sofa covers.
Can you wash the sofa cover?
The easiest way to find out if you can wash your sofa covers is to unzip them and look for the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label. On each label, you should find laundry symbols that will tell you not only if the sofa cover can be washed, but how to wash it, whether by hand or in the washing machine, and at what temperature.
If there is no label indicating that you can wash the sofa cover, you should seek advice from a professional upholstery cleaning company.
Can I put the sofa cover in the dryer?
The laundry symbol on the label should also tell you how the cushion cover should be dried – for example, showing the finer settings of the tumble dryer or giving you a tumble dryer temperature guide; if not, it’s best to air dry the sofa cover. Putting them back on the pads while they are still slightly damp, and standing them upright in the air will ensure as few wrinkles as possible.
Why not wash the sofa cover?
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions when cleaning upholstery. Ignore it and your sofa cover will likely shrink or fade.
‘It’s a dangerous arena,’ says Sofas & Stuff expert (opens in new tab)“Shrinkage, fading and wear and tear are just some of the horror stories we hear. Washing machines are notoriously unreliable, and the temperature you think you’re washing can easily get hotter, inevitably resulting in a smaller but clean sofa set.
‘Another risk is uneven fading. Unless you can remove all loose duvet covers, washing only the seat and back cushions can cause them to be shallower than the sofa frame.
If you’re cleaning a leather sofa, keep in mind that these cushion covers require professional treatment and shouldn’t be washed at all.
How to clean the sofa cover?
If you are determined not to seek professional help and are convinced that you were able Wash the sofa cover, maybe you need to remove coffee stains or red wine stains, you must wash the sofa cover as recommended on the care label.
Without a laundry label telling you what to do, the wisest thing to do is not to wash your sofa covers in the washing machine, but to give them a careful cleaning spot.
Only if that doesn’t work and you can’t get the cover to a professional cleaner should you go ahead and wash the sofa cover in the machine, set the temperature to low and the spin speed to “fine”. Keep in mind that some fabrics, like velvet, don’t like soaking, so it’s best to consult a professional if you’re not sure.
1. Spot Cleaning Sofa Cushion Covers
The best way to deal with any spill is to blot, blot, blot with kitchen paper until the stain is dry, then immediately dampen it with club soda, then blot thoroughly again.
If that doesn’t work, Essential Living’s experts (opens in new tab) It is recommended that all you need is “a dry cloth, a mild enzymatic cleaner (such as dishwashing liquid), a cup of warm water, a spray bottle and a sponge or soft bristle brush”, but we recommend not using a brush fabric in most cases as it flattens out Or change the pile. In all cases, smearing is better than rubbing because it is gentler on the fabric.
“Brush the dirt off the mat, then dab the stain with a dry cloth,” they say. ‘Mix a cup of warm water and a quarter teaspoon of a mild enzymatic cleanser into a spray bottle, then spritz a few drops on the stain. Use a sponge to clean the stained area. Make sure not to push too hard, as this may deepen the stain; instead, apply the stain lightly. Use a small amount of water to remove any residual soap, then blot the area with a clean cloth to remove moisture. Allow the area to dry before judging whether the process needs to be repeated to further remove any remaining stains.
But, we repeat, if your sofa is a valuable item (as opposed to a well-used family room favorite), it’s best to seek professional advice rather than wash or clean it yourself; doing so can damage the upholstery, especially the more delicate ones fabrics such as velvet.
2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wash the sofa cover
Follow the manufacturer’s label instructions exactly, remember that if you wash only the sofa cover and not the sofa cover, you will notice a difference in color between them, because inevitably, every wash of anything Will fade slightly when placed in lukewarm or hot water. To prevent fading and shrinkage, set your washing machine to a temperature of 50°F lower than the label recommends.
If there is no label, please seek professional advice.
How often should you wash your sofa cover?
You should wash sofa covers as little as possible, and only as needed and as recommended by the manufacturer.
“Different fabrics respond to accidents in different ways,” says Sofas & Stuff’s experts. “For example, the Harris Tweed sofa cover is somewhat resistant to watery spills, giving you time to grab a cloth and try to gently wipe off the marks.
‘Wool is an amazing fabric choice for many reasons, one of our favorites is that it is naturally stain resistant (note: not stain resistant!) and its hypoallergenic nature makes it perfect for anyone with sensitive skin ; No chemical treatment required to make it look like new!
Lint sofas require a certain amount of maintenance as they are susceptible to pressure and water marks that are hard to miss and cannot be wiped off with a cloth.
‘ Steam your cotton velvet sofa every now and then to help remove the indentation. Unfortunately, steam won’t help you if you spill something on your velvet sofa, so in that case, you should call a professional sofa cleaner. Stain-resistant velvet will be our go-to in high-traffic areas to keep your new sofa wiped clean and able to withstand more home life.
