Sofa cushions are an essential part of the sofa, which means they get regular wear and tear and are likely to need a good cleaning. And since animal hair, stains and even dust mites can accumulate on and in them, regular care is particularly important. Below we will explain to you how and when to wash the sofa cushions.
The Best Methods to Wash Your Sofa Cushions
There are many different ways to clean the sofa cushions depending on the structure, fabric and washing instructions of the cushion. Always check the labels on the pillow you're cleaning, but below are a few common cleaning methods.
How often should you wash the sofa cushions?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your couch cushions. The frequency depends on usage and living environment. In general, it is recommended to wash the pillowcases every two to four weeks and the filling once or twice a year. If the cover is not removable, you should remember to clean your sofa cushion every month or so, depending on how dirty the cover is.
Clean the pillow filling properly
Nowadays, most sofa cushions consist of two parts - a filling and a removable cover, making them easier to care for.
Remove the pillowcase as it will be washed separately. At this time, pre-treat any pillow stains by applying a cleaning solution with a sponge. Unless the label states otherwise, you can machine wash the pillow filling. Always wash in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Be careful that worn seams on the cushion may burst in the machine. If your sofa cushions are old or not in good condition, simply clean them by hand instead of putting them in a washing machine.
If the sofa cushions are made from some type of foam, they cannot be machine cleaned. Instead, fill a bucket with warm water and stir in some mild detergent. Dip the foam pad into the bucket, allow it to absorb the soapy water and soak in the bucket for at least 30 minutes. Then gently squeeze out the excess water and then rinse the foam off under warm running water.
Allow the pillow to air dry. Dry it as quickly as possible in well-ventilated areas. A wet pillow filling can develop a musty smell if left wet for too long.
How are the pillowcases washed?
Run the machine washable pillowcases on a gentle cycle in cold water with a mild detergent. We recommend using laundry bags for additional protection.
The washing machine is not always an option, especially if the sofa cushion is made of silk or wool or has decorative accents such as sequins or beads. These covers should be hand washed or dry cleaned.
- Polyester and cotton covers are availablein the machine with cold waterwashable and can be tumble dried on low heat.
- Acrylic, linen and satin are also machine washable but should be line dried.
- Silk and velvet can withstand hand washing in cold water and should be air dried by laying flat on a towel to prevent clothespins from damaging the fabric.
- Velor is more forgiving than velvet and can usually be washed in the washing machine with cold water.
- You can hand wash wool by soaking it in cold water with a minimal amount of wool detergent. Lay it flat to dry.
Washing sofa cushions: Pre-treat stains
Machine washable pillows and covers require stain pretreatment before washing. Use a commercial stain remover spray or make your own. Never use stain removers on wool, velvet, upholsteryor silk pillows, as it irreparably damages these materials.
Stain remover recipe:
- 480ml water
- 240 ml hydrogen peroxide
- 220 g washing soda
Place the three ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray the solution directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the sofa cushion as usual. To protect the texture of the upholstery fabric, turn it inside out before washing.
How to keep your sofa cushions clean for longer
RegularVacuuming the upholsteryPrevents dirt and debris from smearing on the sofa cushions.
Look for pillowcases that are machine washable, as these are easiest to clean on a regular basis. Using pillowcases in similar colors also makes frequent cleaning easier because you don't have to worry about dark dyes mixing with lighter whites.
Try to keep your sofa cushions far away from little ones' hands or furry friends' paws. These two are usually the biggest culprits when it comes to dirty furnishings.
