Cushion covers take a beating from daily use, sunlight exposure, spills, and the friction of people sitting and leaning against them. Replacing covers every few months gets expensive, but proper care extends their lifespan dramatically. Different fabrics need different treatment, and using the wrong cleaning method causes more damage than the dirt you are trying to remove. Here is how to wash, store, and maintain every common cushion cover fabric.
Cotton Covers
Cotton is the most forgiving fabric for washing. Machine wash on 30°C to 40°C with mild detergent. Turn covers inside out to protect prints, embroidery, and surface treatments. Use a colour catcher sheet when washing coloured cotton covers for the first time because some dyes bleed on the initial wash. Air dry on a line or tumble dry on low heat.
Iron cotton covers while slightly damp for the smoothest finish. A steam iron on medium heat removes wrinkles efficiently. Press on the reverse side of printed covers to avoid scorching the print. Heavily wrinkled cotton (from air drying in a ball) may need a spray of water before ironing to soften the creases. Put covers back on inserts immediately after ironing because the warmth and moisture make the fabric pliable and easier to smooth over the insert without creating new wrinkles.
Linen Covers
Linen washes similarly to cotton but wrinkles much more dramatically. Machine wash on cold to 30°C with gentle detergent. Avoid the spin cycle or use the lowest spin speed because aggressive spinning sets deep creases that are difficult to iron out. Remove linen covers from the washer immediately and smooth flat to dry, or hang on a padded hanger.
Many people embrace linen’s natural wrinkled texture as part of its charm. If you prefer a smoother finish, iron linen while still noticeably damp on a high heat setting (linen tolerates more heat than cotton). Spray stubborn dry wrinkles with water first. Linen softens beautifully with each wash, becoming more comfortable and developing a lived-in character that new linen lacks. Throw pillow covers in linen look best after three to four washes when the fabric relaxes into its natural drape.
Oubonun Throw Pillow Inserts
Velvet Covers
Polyester velvet covers are machine washable on a cold gentle cycle. Turn inside out and place in a mesh laundry bag to protect the pile from crushing against the drum and other items. Never use fabric softener on velvet because it coats the fibres and dulls the sheen that gives velvet its visual depth. Tumble dry on the lowest heat for five minutes only, then remove and shake vigorously to restore pile direction.
Brush velvet pile in one direction using a soft clothes brush while the fabric is slightly damp. Drying flat on a towel with the pile facing up prevents crushing. Steam velvet covers to remove wrinkles rather than ironing because a hot iron flattens the pile permanently, leaving shiny flat spots. Hold a steamer 10 cm from the surface and move steadily across the fabric.
Wool and Knit Covers
Hand wash wool covers in cold water with wool-specific detergent. Soak for five minutes, squeeze gently without wringing, and rinse in clean cold water. Roll the cover in a dry towel to press out excess moisture, then reshape and dry flat. Machine washing wool (even on a wool cycle) risks felting, which permanently shrinks and stiffens the fabric.
Acrylic knit covers that resemble wool are much more resilient. Most acrylic knits tolerate machine washing on cold gentle cycle. Check the care label to confirm whether your knit cover is wool or acrylic before choosing a method. Store knit and wool covers folded (never on hangers, which stretch the knit) with cedar blocks to deter moths.
Outdoor and Performance Fabric Covers
Outdoor cushion covers in solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella and similar) clean easily with mild soap and water. For general cleaning, brush off loose dirt, spray with a solution of mild washing-up liquid and water, scrub gently with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly. For mould and mildew (common on outdoor cushions stored in damp conditions), add white vinegar to the cleaning solution and leave for 15 minutes before scrubbing.
Performance indoor fabrics (Crypton, Revolution) resist most stains. Blot spills immediately, then wipe with a damp cloth. For stubborn stains, apply a small amount of mild soap directly to the stain, work in gently, and wipe clean. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners on performance fabrics because they can damage the protective coating that gives these fabrics their stain resistance.
Oubonun Throw Pillow Inserts
Seasonal Storage
Clean all covers before storing them for the off-season. Dirt and body oils left in stored fabric attract moths and degrade fibres over time. Seasonal covers coming out of storage should be washed or at least aired before use to remove storage odours and any dust that accumulated.
Store covers in breathable cotton bags or pillowcases rather than sealed plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture, which creates musty odours and can encourage mould growth. Add a lavender sachet or cedar ring to each storage bag to deter moths and keep fabrics smelling fresh. Store in a cool, dry, dark location because heat and sunlight degrade fabrics even in storage. For detailed care information about the inserts inside your covers, our pillow care guide covers every fill material.
Quick Stain Reference
Coffee and tea: blot immediately, apply cold water, then wash normally. Wine: blot, cover with salt, brush off after 10 minutes, wash. Grease and oil: apply washing-up liquid directly, leave 10 minutes, wash on warm. Ink: dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud, blot, wash. Blood: cold water immediately (hot water sets blood stains permanently), then wash with enzyme detergent. Wax: let wax harden completely, peel off as much as possible, place brown paper over the residue and iron on low to absorb the rest. For floor cushion covers that get heavy staining from ground contact, pre-treat stains before washing for best results.
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