Cleaning couch covers made of cotton, microfiber, polyester, velvet and co.
When washing a sofa cover, it is essential to know what material it is made of. Depending on the material, you use different care methods to clean the fabric without damaging the fabric.
Polyester: How to wash your sofa cover
Polyester is easy to care for and can therefore be cleaned in the following way:
Washing: Wash upholstery covers in the washing machine at a maximum of 30 degrees. Choose a gentle wash cycle with cold water. The higher the temperature, the more likely the covers will shrink. Turn the sofa cover inside out when you wash it.
Drying: Protect the sofa covers from direct sunlight when drying. It is best to hang polyester to dry in the shade. Please do not put the covers in the dryer to prevent them from losing shape. Polyester should not be ironed.
Stains: Stains on polyester fabrics are best removed with a damp cloth or sponge. Blot the stain until it is gone.
Cotton sofa cover
A cotton sofa cover is cleaned similarly to a polyester cover.
Washing: Put the cotton cover in the washing machine at 30 degrees. You mustn't use any detergent that contains bleach.
Drying:
- Refrain from tumble drying the cotton.
- Hang the covers in the shade and protect the fabric from direct sunlight.
- Pull the covers onto the sofa while they are still slightly damp, so they are pulled into shape.
Otherwise, once the cotton has dried, the stiffness of the fabric would make it difficult to upholster. Heavy creases can be smoothed out with an iron. Moisten the cover beforehand so that this works better.
Stains: Blot any stains with a damp sponge or cloth. Then press a dry paper towel against the stain to soak up the water.
Linen: How to wash the sofa covers; although linen has properties similar to cotton, the fibre is sturdier than cotton.
Washing: Linen can also be washed in the washing machine. Again, set the temperature to no more than 30 degrees. Linen, like cotton, must not be breached.
Drying: Linen should not end up in the tumble dryer either. Hang up in a shady place away from direct sunlight and pull the covers onto the sofa while they are still slightly damp. If you discover any creases on the cover, dampen the areas with water and iron them smooth with an iron.
Stains:
- Remove stains with a damp cloth.
- Soak up any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.
- Mix water and vinegar in a 50:50 ratio for stubborn stains and spray onto the stain.
- Test the mixture on an inconspicuous area beforehand.
- Blot the liquid with a dry cloth.
Wash microfiber covers
Microfiber is a soft fabric. However, it would help if you did not put this in the washing machine immediately.
Washing: Before putting the microfiber covers in the washing machine, you must get all the dustout. Using a brush or knocking it out of the covers is best.
Hand wash the microfiber sofa covers in cold water. If your washing machine has a hand wash program, you can also clean the covers in the washing machine. If you need help washing the microfiber covers, it is best to have them dry-cleaned.
Drying: Because microfiber is delicate, do not tumble dry, bleach, iron, or dry the fibre. Hang the covers in a shady place to dry. Microfiber covers should be kept from being ironed. This is not necessary either, as these are usually wrinkle-free after washing.
Stains: Remove stains from microfiber with some rubbing alcohol and a sponge and brush. To do this, spray the rubbing alcohol onto the stain with a spray bottle and gently rub it off with the sponge. Finally, carefully loosen the fibres with the brush.
Velvet sofa covers
Velvet is a luxurious fabric. It is, therefore, important that you treat it with care.
Washing: Velvet is hand wash only. If your washing machine has a hand wash program, you can use that too. The luxurious fabric can only be washed in cold water. This is important so that the sofa covers stay intact.
Drying: Velvet should only be dried in fresh air. So never put it in the tumble dryer to avoid damaging the sofa covers. Also, protect them from direct sunlight. Pull the damp velvet covers over the sofa. When drying, brush the sofa covers with a clothes brush. This makes the fibres stand up and makes the textile shine again.
Stains: Blot the stain with a damp cloth. Be careful to rub just enough to avoid damaging the fabric. The best way to remove visible stains on velvet is dry cleaning.
Leather sofa covers
Leather collects less dust than textile waterproof sofa covers. The care is, therefore, quite uncomplicated.
Washing: Leather should not be washed or ironed. Dry cleaning is also out of the question. Wipe the leather cover with a damp cloth. Also, regularly vacuum the leather covers to keep them clean.
Drying: Protect the leather from direct sunlight to avoid damaging the leather. Under no circumstances should the material end up in the tumble dryer if the covers can be removed at all.
Stains: Mix a little water with a squirt of dish soap. Wipe the stain with a damp cloth dampened with the solution.
