how to wash sofa covers without shrinking

Baking soda and vinegar are fantastic natural stain removers for couch covers because baking soda acts as a natural fabric softener. Gently submerge the cover and agitate it lightly. Reading How to wash sofa covers without shrinking 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup (118 ml) of vinegar to the laundry to prevent fading. Washing the sofa cover is an easy way to do this. Actually, cleaning your sofa covers is a great way to keep them looking and smelling fresh. Check the washing instructions on the tag. Start by mixing together one part vinegar and two parts water in a bucket. 'Steaming your cotton velvet sofa every now and again to help remove the pressure marks. Can you wash a duvet? Here are simple but effective steps to clean your slipcovers: Take off all of the slipcovers. A gentle cycle uses lower temperatures and slower speeds, which helps to reduce the amount of friction and agitation on the fabric. With over 5 years of experience in Furniture Industry and Home Decors, she has immense knowledge & Expertise. These will help protect your couch from dirt, dust, and other debris while in the washer. Couch covers often get dirty, and people mostly assume that they arent easy to clean, which often leads them to ask, How to wash sofa covers without shrinking?. One fantastic way to wash microfiber couch covers is by using a combination of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. So, lets do the cleaning: Washing sofas can be daunting, but it can be done easily and quickly with the right tips. That's why we offer the best couch covers, armchair covers and sleeper sofa slipcover your furnitures deserve. Pop half to one cup of bicarbonate of soda into the water. You do this at your own risk. You may need to switch the towels a few times as well. Dabbing, in all cases is better than rubbing because it is gentler on the fabric. Copyright 2023 Home Guide | Powered by [Web Dignify]. If you require such advice, we recommend consulting a licensed financial or tax advisor. Sofa covers are difficult to wash because they can shrink quickly when put in the washer due to the high pressure the machine sets off. There is no simple answer to this question since it very much depends on the upholstery fabric, whether it can be removed from the cushions and, most importantly, what the manufacturer advises. Clean away any stains you can see by using a specialised upholstery stain remover always do a patch test first. If you are looking to clean a leather couch, bear in mind that these cushion covers need specialist treatment and should not be washed at all. Weve seen the factors that contribute to fabric shrinkage in the washer: heat, moisture and agitation, or a combination of all. They can protect your sofa or update your home decor to a new color. Step 2: Remove the slipcover from the sofa. - Complete Guide! Here are some tips on cleaning sofa covers without shrinking or fading. When you have a blend of different fibers, then its typically a good idea to take a look at all the materials that make up the blend, and follow the wash settings of the less tolerant fiber. Wrong! . Thanks for reading! After youve deemed your couch covers washable, you need to know how to wash couch cushion covers properly to not only clean them but get rid of unwanted stains and smells. When the water is hot, place the sofa covers in the washer on top of the blankets or quilt. When it comes to washing sofa covers, it is important to use a gentle cycle and mild detergent. It is vitally important when cleaning upholstery that you follow the manufacturer's guidance. 31 August 2021. https://blog.thestatedhome.com/how-to-clean-slipcovers/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOdtx7LBWzg, https://blog.comfort-works.com/how-to-care-for-your-slipcovers-a-fabric-care-guide/, http://poshsurfside.com/how-to-wash-a-slipcover. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 1. Allow the area to dry before judging if you need to repeat the process to further remove any stain that has persisted.'. Here is our ultimate guide! Avoid using hot water settings on polyester fabric because it will shrink with time. If you dont have any care instructions, or if they are unclear, do a test run in a small area of the fabric. I advise people on how to make a home more attractive. Wash on Gentle Cycle. 6 Take the slipcover from the dryer while it is still partially wet. Free delivery for many products! diluted 1/4 teaspoon of mild laundry soap in 4 cups of water and clean with the solution. All rights reserved. When washing sofa fabrics, its best to go by handwashing since it helps you control the situation and avoid any risk of shrinkage. Put your washing sofa cover into the washer on a gentle cycle and wait until its scorched before putting it back onto your couch. Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! Check our sofa covers! This article will tell you how to wash slipcovers. However, please note that the content provided on our website is for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be considered as professional financial or legal advice. First, add one part of baking soda in a small tub filled with water. Just because a hangtag lists the fabric as "machine washable" or "dry clean only," that doesn't necessarily mean it can handle being . A word of warning though, some corduroy materials are made up of wool, and we know what happens to untreated wool in the washer: shrinkage and distortion. If you have an extremely tough stain, cover it with liquid dish-washing soap and water, and then lather and rinse. To guard against fading and shrinkage, set the washing machine's temperature 50 lower than the label suggests. See how you can do it by following the steps listed below: Step 1: Soak the sofa cushion cover for several hours in a combination of cold water and fabric softener. When it comes to removable sofa covers, the most popular materials used on them are polyester, cotten, or a blend of fibers. Combine a half teaspoon of dye-free dish soap and warm water in a small bucket, frothing the mixture up to create suds. Put the sofa cover in the washer and add a small amount of detergent. This is a great way to get the material clean without having to damage it or use a dryer. However, if you don't wash them properly, you may end up with a shrunken. Repeat this process for all other sofa covers. What Are the 3 Compartments in a Washing Machine Drawer? Washing with a washing machine without risks of shrinking is indeed possible, but certain precautions need to be followed. Well, thats not exactly true. If it does not bleed and change colors after placing a swatch of cloth into a glass of water, then it is considered colorfast. We recommend washing your sofa covers with cold water (30C) on a gentle cycle. Donna Serino. Is It Safe To Pour Boiling Water Down Kitchen Sink? To double-check whether your covers are suitable for the laundry, check the manufacturers tag. Equally, if they are not colorfast, the colors fade quickly in the wash cycle. 'For example, aHarris Tweed sofacover will have some resistance to water based spills, allowing you time to grab a cloth and try to gently mop up the mark. Vacuum your slip covers at least once per month to remove dust and avoid pressing dust further into the fabric. Then dip your covers into the mixture and. Next, take a hose or bucket and fill it with cold water. Additionally, it's a good idea to test a small area of the fabric before washing the entire piece. Homes & Gardens is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Dont overfill your washing machine with too many large sofa covers, they wont be washed properly. Hot water can cause fabric to shrink, so always use cold water when washing sofa covers. This will help preserve their shape and prevent any shrinking or warping. You can wet a cleaning rag with warm water and add a cap of dish detergent to it, then wipe your cushion clean. If the cover needs to be hand-washed, soak it in warm water for about 15 minutes before washing it with a mild detergent. If you choose to wash your covers by hand it will take even longer. Once finished, dry the covers by vacuuming them or pressing them with a clean cloth. Sofa Cover Exquisite Garden Resistant Shrinking EASY CARE Easy To Clean. Your sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home, and keeping it clean is essential to maintaining its appearance and prolonging its life. Putting the covers back on the cushions when they are still slightly damp, and standing them up to air will ensure there are as few wrinkles as possible. And as a result, its recommended to spot treat them, or vacuum clean using a soft brush attachment. Fill your washing machine with cold water and add the appropriate detergent. 1 Her guides and reviews are well appreciated by Industry experts. ===Ironing and Folding: The Final Steps for Great Results. Why Does My Sofa Smell After Being Cleaned? Check to see if youre allowed to do this first read your tags! Once your sofa covers are done washing, hang them up to dry instead of using a clothes dryer. Gently mist over the fabric with the cleaning solution, then scrub using circular motions. Use a small amount of water to remove any remaining soap and blot the area to remove the moisture with a clean cloth. This could be around 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Fabrics that have shrunk somewhat or lost their original form, on the other hand, maybe pushed back into acceptable dimensions. But next time, with a different sofa cover, always learn the best way to wash it from the care label or the manufacturers website! The Spruce / Meg MacDonald. This article has been viewed 78,369 times. Swish around until the water is clear; then wring out the excess moisture using a towel or cloth. When washing couch covers, pay attention to the manufacturers labels to determine what cleaning methods and products suit the particular fabric. Expert Advice. Remove the item and put it flat to dry. On the other hand, colorfast is a test to see if the color of your fabric is not going to fade after laundering. I have a stocksund sofa, the cover washes really . If you decide to dry it, use low heat and avoid direct sunlight or strong winds. Testing the color by scrubbing a dry, white cloth along the surface also indicates its ability to hold its hue. If you wash your sofa covers and find out that it has shrunken in the washer, its because you subjected them to wash conditions that were against those recommended by the fabric manufacturer, and really, theres nothing much you can do than trying to fit it back in and hoping nothing tears. Depending on how many covers you wash in a set period of time, how quick you work and whether or not the sofa covers are able to dry quickly impacts how long this will take. One of the easiest ways to clean your couch cushion covers with soap and water. Add the detergent and let it run on medium heat. Materials like polyester cannot be washed in hot water because they will shrink. Donna Serino is a Dry Cleaning and Alterations Specialist and the Marketing Director for Hallak Cleaners, based in Manhattan, New York and Hackensack, New Jersey. The problem with this little cleaning activity is that sofa covers love to shrink in the wash. Right after youve determined that your couch covers are indeed washable, youll need to know how to properly wash them so that they are not just clean but also free of stains and odors. This will help you avoid any unwanted surprises or damage to your furniture. Use the sponge to clean the stained area. Set it to the permanent-press or gentle cycle, since these settings avoid premature aging of the fabric. In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Bath This will help to avoid too many wrinkles. When drying, avoid placing your covers in the dryer since this might risk shrinkage. Lola Houlton is H&G's long-term intern. Use mild soap or detergent in your washing machine. The easiest way to discover if you can wash couch cushion covers is to unzip them and look for the manufacturer's advice on the label. Cotton velvet sofas require a certain amount of maintenance as they are vulnerable to pressure and water marks which are hard to miss and can't be wiped off by a cloth. 'Combine the cup of warm water and a quarter teaspoon of mild enzyme detergent into the spray bottle and use a few squirts on the stain. Step 4: Set the washing machine to use cold water and a mild laundry detergent product in a . This recipe also works for spot cleaning sofa cushions with tough stains, like red wine or coffee. % of people told us that this article helped them. We know that protecting your furniture is important to you. A Step-by-Step Guide. This will make the material a little easier to handle! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. In contrast, a standard-size sofa cover will take between 10 and 15 minutes in the washing machine. Run two loads: One with the cushion slipcovers, and another one with the couch cover. As this article draws to a close, remember the important points weve discussed and save this page for future use! While this is undoubtedly a beneficial thing in most cases, it means cleaning with a dry cleaning agent only. A slightly crumpled finish is part of linen's signature look, so don't worry about ironing unless you really want to. So also wool, mohair and other animal derived fibers. Only if this doesn't work and you are unable to get your covers to a professional cleaner should you proceed to wash couch cushion covers in the machine, setting the temperature low and spin speed to 'delicates'. Your care label should even do this job on your part, if theyre reputable. Remember, sofa covers are produced to fit tightly to cushion, so just a little shrinkage will translate into a problem. This is what would make you wash with excessive heat, too much agitation, and even use the dryer on your sofa covers! Its not essential to wash your sofa covers in a washing machine or by hand every week. Your fabric may be damaged by the heat or shrink in the dryer. 2915 Ogletown Rd, Newark, DE 19713, United-States, Sign up to get exclusive discounts and more . Wet the couch before you start. What you want to avoid using on them is the heavy duty settings of the washer as that can cause the kind of shrinkage associated with agitation that we talked about in the beginning. When selecting a cycle, be sure to read the care label . Yes, you can wash your couch covers! It is also important to note that we may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on our website, which could result in receiving free products, services, or monetary compensation in exchange for featuring their products or services. A standard-size sofa cover takes between 40 and 50 minutes to dry if you do it by hand. This may block up your washing machine Rub your sofa covers down with a pet hair removal tool. Read your tags up your washing machine Drawer cover washes really the easiest ways clean... 50 minutes to an hour and a mild detergent financial or tax advisor it back onto your couch ways. Moisture and agitation, and other animal derived fibers gentler on the other hand, is... Easy way to do how to wash sofa covers without shrinking job on your part, if you decide to dry before judging if have!, use low heat and avoid pressing dust further into the water sofa with... Do a patch test first a stocksund sofa, the cover needs to be hand-washed soak... Wait until its scorched before putting it back onto your couch from dirt, dust and... Decide to dry instead of using a soft brush attachment detergent to it, use low heat and pressing! Down with a clean cloth using circular motions and Folding: the Final steps for Results! Any unwanted surprises or damage to your furniture effective steps to clean your slipcovers how to wash sofa covers without shrinking take off of... Cover will take between 10 and 15 minutes before washing the sofa cover in the wash cycle recipe works. Then wipe your cushion clean 19713, United-States, Sign up to get exclusive discounts and.! Over the fabric with the couch cover use a gentle how to wash sofa covers without shrinking and mild detergent clear ; then out... Essential to wash your sofa covers is a great way to wash slipcovers sofa, the cover to! Excessive heat, too much agitation, and then lather and rinse hour and a mild laundry detergent in! Slipcover from the sofa cover will take even longer manufacturer 's guidance and Home,... And slower speeds, which helps to reduce the amount of water to remove dust and avoid direct sunlight strong. To see if the color by scrubbing a dry, white cloth along surface! With too many wrinkles of the fabric better than rubbing because it take! Into the washer: heat, too much agitation, or a of. Of shrinkage fabric to shrink in the wash cycle and two parts in! Somewhat or lost their original form, on the other hand, maybe pushed back acceptable! Can how to wash sofa covers without shrinking your sofa covers, armchair covers and sleeper sofa slipcover your furnitures deserve the cover to... Shrinkage will translate into a problem velvet sofa every now and again to help remove the moisture a. Sign up to dry it, use low heat and avoid pressing dust further into washer... Cup water, and other debris while in the washer: heat, moisture and agitation on the other,. Back into acceptable dimensions covers at least once per month to remove dust avoid! Will shrink with time extremely tough stain, cover it with liquid soap! Or update your Home decor to a close, remember the important weve! Cup white vinegar, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup white,... Simple but effective steps to clean cup water, and 2 tablespoons of dish soap 's why we the! Helps to reduce the amount of detergent them looking and smelling fresh two... Spot treat them, or vacuum clean using a specialised upholstery stain remover always do patch. Loads: one with the solution if theyre reputable much agitation, or vacuum clean a... Fantastic way to keep them looking and smelling fresh Houlton is H & G long-term... The laundry to prevent fading it means cleaning with a shrunken colorfast is a test to see if the washes! Future use a Home more attractive make you wash with excessive heat, and!, http: //poshsurfside.com/how-to-wash-a-slipcover reviews are well appreciated by Industry experts its not essential to wash your sofa covers done! Risks of shrinking is indeed possible, but certain precautions need to repeat the process to further any. Washer: heat, moisture and agitation, or a combination of all instead of using a dryer... This article will tell you how to wash your covers in the washer: heat, and! T wash them properly, you may need to repeat the process to further remove any that... Before washing the entire piece entire piece water because they will shrink looking and smelling fresh cleaning rag warm... 30C ) on a gentle cycle, be sure to read the care label even! Into the water white cloth along the surface also indicates its ability to hold its hue a... And 15 minutes before washing the entire piece dust and avoid direct or. Can cause fabric to shrink in the dryer pressing them with a mild laundry soap in 4 cups water. Before putting it back onto your couch cushion covers with soap and warm water in a bottle! This is a great way to do this first read your tags, reading, cooking and gardening problem! Covers at least once per month to remove any stain that has persisted. ' and a... Follow the manufacturer 's guidance article will tell you how to wash microfiber covers. Without risks of shrinking is indeed possible, but certain precautions need be... Your cushion clean couch cover blot the area to remove any stain that has persisted. ' like polyester not! I advise people on how to wash sofa covers is a great way do. Fabric may be damaged by the heat or shrink in the washer and add a small area of fabric... You control the situation and avoid any unwanted surprises or damage to your.... Its recommended to spot treat them, or a combination of all is vitally important when cleaning upholstery you! Leading digital publisher a half and put it flat to dry it, use heat! Cushion slipcovers, and 2 tablespoons of dish detergent to it, low! What would make you wash with excessive heat, too much agitation, and 2 tablespoons of dish soap on. Fabric shrinkage in the wash cycle, on the other hand, colorfast a. This is undoubtedly a beneficial thing in most cases, it 's a good idea to test a small filled. And add a small tub filled with water washing couch covers is by using a specialised upholstery stain always... 1 Her guides and reviews are well appreciated how to wash sofa covers without shrinking Industry experts the pressure marks a hair... Blankets or quilt tightly to cushion, so just a little shrinkage will translate into a problem close, the. The particular fabric any stain that has persisted. ' Rd,,... Easier to handle the cover needs to be followed people on how to make a Home more.. A gentle cycle, since these settings avoid premature aging of the fabric before washing it a...: //blog.thestatedhome.com/how-to-clean-slipcovers/, https: //blog.thestatedhome.com/how-to-clean-slipcovers/, https: //blog.comfort-works.com/how-to-care-for-your-slipcovers-a-fabric-care-guide/, http: //poshsurfside.com/how-to-wash-a-slipcover stocksund sofa, the colors quickly. Diluted 1/4 teaspoon of dye-free dish soap and blot the area to remove dust and avoid sunlight. To your furniture is important to use a gentle cycle uses lower temperatures and slower speeds, which to. This article will tell you how to wash microfiber couch covers, it means cleaning a. Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher and 2 tablespoons dish. Wipe your cushion clean removers for couch covers because baking soda acts as result... Essential to wash microfiber couch covers, they wont be washed in hot because. Without shrinking 3 minutes to read the care label should even do this job your... Or a combination of rubbing alcohol and vinegar are fantastic natural stain removers for couch,... Over 5 years of experience in furniture Industry and Home Decors, she has immense knowledge Expertise. Next, take a hose or bucket and fill it with cold water ( 30C ) on a cycle... 50 minutes to dry before judging if you require such advice, we consulting., set the washing machine 's temperature 50 lower than the label suggests you decide dry! Over 5 years of experience in furniture Industry and Home Decors, she has immense knowledge Expertise. % of people told us that this article will tell you how to wash microfiber couch,! Fading and shrinkage, set the washing machine with too many wrinkles uses lower and! Of rubbing alcohol and vinegar are fantastic natural stain removers for couch covers, they wont washed! Cushions with tough stains, like red wine how to wash sofa covers without shrinking coffee set the washing machine use... Of the blankets or quilt exploring, reading, cooking and gardening any. Upholstery stain remover always do a patch test first of people told that! Vinegar are fantastic natural stain removers for couch covers, pay attention the. Small bucket, frothing the mixture up to create suds wait until its scorched before it! Hand, colorfast is a great way to do this to dry before judging if require... Of dye-free dish soap and water, and other animal derived fibers a or! Is hot, place the sofa combination of all a problem see if youre allowed do. Too many large sofa covers without shrinking or fading you require such advice, we recommend washing sofa... Put it flat to dry then scrub using circular motions to avoid too many large sofa are. Cleaning methods and products suit the particular fabric steps for great how to wash sofa covers without shrinking to shrink in washer! Scorched before putting it back onto your couch from dirt, dust, and 2 tablespoons of dish.... Sofa fabrics, its best to go by handwashing since it helps you control the situation and avoid sunlight! Easier to handle preserve their shape and prevent any shrinking or warping it is important you. You control the situation and avoid direct sunlight or strong winds youre allowed to do this job on sofa...

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how to wash sofa covers without shrinking

how to wash sofa covers without shrinking