Have you ever looked at your sofa cushions, noticed that they have zippers, and thought, “Why not just take the covers off and throw them in the washing machine?”
It seems like a simple solution. After all, washing a cushion cover at home sounds a lot easier than having your sofa professionally cleaned.
But after 56 years in the carpet and upholstery cleaning business, I can tell you that this is one of those situations where a little caution can save you a lot of trouble.
Just because a sofa cushion cover has a zipper doesn’t mean it is safe to put it in your washing machine.
There are several things that can go wrong, and some of the damage may be permanent.
Let me explain.
Can Upholstery Fabrics Be Safely Cleaned With Water?
In previous Ask Alec articles, I discussed whether you can really trust the recommended upholstery cleaning codes.
From my experience, I would confidently say that I can wet clean approximately 99% of upholstered fabrics when it comes to removing soil and stains without causing shrinkage or color bleeding.
Notice that I said removing soil and stains without causing shrinkage or color bleeding.
I did not say that every fabric is strong enough to withstand cleaning.
There is an important difference.
Before cleaning any upholstered fabric, I inspect it closely. One of the things I look for is sun damage, which can weaken the fibers and eventually cause what we call dry rot.
A fabric may look perfectly fine on the surface but have become extremely fragile from years of exposure to sunlight.
If I discover a fabric that has experienced this type of deterioration, I may be able to lightly clean it by hand. In these situations, I avoid using cleaning equipment or anything that could place additional stress on the fabric.
Sometimes, even the slightest amount of agitation can cause a weakened fabric to tear.
This is why inspecting the fabric before cleaning is so important.
I discuss this in greater detail in my Ask Alec article about how sunlight can damage rugs, upholstery, and carpet.
Why Washing Cushion Covers Can Cause Shrinkage
One of the biggest concerns when washing removable cushion covers is the amount of moisture involved.
When a fabric absorbs water, it can expand. As it dries, it may contract.
This expansion and contraction can be particularly problematic with natural fibers such as cotton and linen.
If a cushion cover becomes excessively wet, it may shrink as it dries. Even a relatively small amount of shrinkage can make it extremely difficult to put the cover back onto the cushion.
And then there is the drying process itself.
Whether you air-dry the covers or put them into a clothes dryer, the drying method can affect the final result.
Heat from a dryer can introduce additional shrinkage risks, while air drying does not guarantee that the covers will retain their original dimensions.
You may end up with cushion covers that no longer fit properly.
What About Upholstery Cleaning Codes?
Some upholstery fabrics have an X cleaning code.
An X code generally means that the fabric should only be vacuumed. Neither water-based cleaning nor solvent-based cleaning is recommended under the manufacturer’s care instructions.
In other words, the manufacturer is telling you to avoid conventional wet or solvent cleaning.
This is another reason why removing cushion covers and putting them in a washing machine can be risky.
You may be taking a fabric that was never intended to be washed and subjecting it to a process that could permanently change its appearance or dimensions.
As I have discussed in my previous article, Can You Really Trust the Cleaning Codes on Your Upholstery?, cleaning codes are important, but they are not a substitute for inspecting the actual condition of the fabric.
The Detergent You Use Can Create Another Problem
Let’s assume that you have a synthetic fabric, such as polyester, and that the covers make it through the washing process without shrinking or bleeding.
You may be very pleased with how clean everything looks.
But there is another potential problem that many homeowners never consider.
Many household laundry detergents are considerably more alkaline and concentrated than the cleaning solutions used by professional upholstery cleaners.
Some laundry detergents can leave residues or cause discoloration in susceptible fabrics.
This is particularly important with natural fibers such as cotton and linen, where excessive alkalinity and certain cleaning conditions can contribute to browning or yellowing.
So even if the covers come out of the washing machine looking clean, the detergent itself may have created another problem.
The Surprise That Can Happen With Synthetic Fabrics
Let’s say you have a polyester sofa.
You remove the cushion covers, wash them, and are thrilled with how clean they look.
But when you put them back on the sofa, you notice something you weren’t expecting.
The freshly washed cushion covers look much lighter than the rest of the sofa.
The body of the sofa, which you didn’t wash, now looks noticeably darker and dirtier.
The cushions may be clean, but the overall appearance of the sofa is worse than it was before you started.
This is something I have encountered in my years of cleaning upholstery.
The problem is that the cushion covers and the rest of the sofa have been cleaned using two entirely different processes.
The result can be an uneven appearance that is difficult to correct.
A Customer Story I Will Never Forget
I remember a customer who called me and asked if I could clean just the body of his sofas.
He explained that he had already removed and washed the seat cushion covers himself.
He was hoping I could clean the remaining upholstery so that it would match the freshly washed cushions.
There was also a very special reason for his request.
His wife was in the hospital after giving birth to their new baby, and he wanted to surprise her by having the sofas cleaned before she came home.
He had tried putting the cushion covers back onto the cushions himself, but he was having an extremely difficult time.
He couldn’t get even one of the cushions to look right.
He had run into two problems.
First, the covers no longer fit the way they were supposed to.
Second, the covers looked noticeably different from the rest of the sofa.
He had started with the best intentions. He simply wanted to clean his furniture and make his home look nice for his wife and their new baby.
Unfortunately, washing the cushion covers had created a problem that was much more difficult to correct than he had anticipated.
It is a story I have never forgotten.
So, Should You Wash Removable Sofa Cushion Covers at Home?
My recommendation is no.
With all the potential problems associated with shrinkage, color changes, detergent damage, and the difficulty of reinstalling the covers, I don’t believe it is worth the risk.
A removable cushion cover is not necessarily a washable cushion cover.
Even when a fabric can be safely wet cleaned, that does not mean it can safely withstand the entire process of washing it in a household washing machine and drying it afterward.
And once a cover has shrunk, become discolored, or been damaged by the cleaning process, there may be no easy way to restore its original appearance.
If your sofa cushions are dirty, I would recommend having the upholstery professionally inspected and cleaned rather than taking a chance with your washing machine.
At Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC, we have been professionally cleaning upholstery for 56 years. We carefully inspect upholstered fabrics before cleaning and select the appropriate cleaning method for the fabric and its condition.
You can learn more about our professional upholstery cleaning services throughout Greater Boston, MetroWest, the South Shore, and Cape Cod.
After all, your sofa is an investment, and the last thing you want to do is turn a simple cleaning project into an expensive upholstery problem.
Have a Question About Your Upholstery?
Do you have a question about a particular fabric, stain, cushion, or piece of upholstered furniture?
I created Ask Alec to share practical advice based on more than 56 years of experience in the carpet and upholstery cleaning business.
If you have a question about cleaning your upholstery, I would be happy to hear from you.
Visit our Contact Us page or give us a call.
Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC
Abington, Massachusetts
Serving Greater Boston, MetroWest, the South Shore, and Cape Cod since 1970.