Sofa Covers - Do I really have to dry clean them?

[splodge2001]

I've just bought a second-hand sofa with dirty seats!

I've taken the cream cotton cushion covers off but I really don't want to have to dry clean them as it will cost me a fortune.

Any ideas?

[jeee]

I (very gently) machine-washed dry-clean only sofa covers, with no ill-effects.

[splodge2001]

with special detergent?

[ceres]

i machine wash my dry-clean-only chenille covers. i use woolite and a gentle wash - they come up brilliantly. if there are any particularly grubby areas i rub a bit of woolite in before bunging in the machine.

[Ponders]

we had a sofa with 2 sets of covers - one velvet, one smooth - both cotton afaik. machine washed both at 40 degrees in ordinary detergent, no probs (did cushions covers & arm caps in one load, sofa cover in another)

[Ponders]

(probably not a good idea to tumble dry from wet though, they might shrink past fitting - I would air dry mine, on line in summer or over banister in winter)

[nannyl]

mine said dry clean only but were made of normal material

they are cream

i washed them at 30C with ariel bio powder and they were like being brand new again!
i air dried them on the line

[LordOfTheFlies]

I've got a 2 seater sofa bed (Ikea) with a needlecord black cover.

Label said no wash but I put on gentle cycle, left in soak mode, drained and rinsed twice.
Didn't spin in case washing machine could cope.(It was flippin heavy!)

Hung out to line dry.
It survived

[hiccymapops]

I've washed mine too on a gentle wash, then line dried (shocking for me, usually if it fits, it goes in the rumble dryer) I was really worried the'd shrink, but were fine.
As long as it's not a hot wash, and you're careful how you dry them, they should be fine.

[hiccymapops]

Tumble dryer, just in case you thought a rumble dryer was some new fangled device really must start reading before I post!

[LordOfTheFlies]

I want a rumble dryer now.

[hiccymapops]

I know, me too now

[mousymouse]

I wash mine too. I think the no wash is because he fabric is treated with fire retardent stuff. but I can't be arsed.

[ChippingIn]

I was given a sofa and it was absolutely filthy wasn't very clean - the ad (freecycle) said it was 'A bit grubby on the arms' - well - they weren't lying I'd only got them second hand as I am renovating the house and simply wanted a couple that were clean and comfy that I wasn't worried about if they got a bit of paint on them or whatever - to be replaced when I've finished the work - so I didn't go and see them first or anything.

I stripped off all of the covers - read the washing instrustions on the base of the sofa.

I took it to the laundromat so it could go in two big machines (base cover in one, cushion covers in the other) rather than my smaller one - so it had lots of room to move around and get a good clean - I sprayed the life out of it with the pink stain removal stuff and shoved it in on a long, hot wash with lots of detergent (liquid), more stain remover and fabric conditioner.

Brought it all home - hung it on the line.

Came inside.

Read the small print (onthe label on the sofa)...

'Not all of our cover fabrics are suitable for washing - please check the label first'

OOoooopsss - but oh well, I was not paying for dry cleaning, I doubt it would have done the job anyway and it was NOT staying in my house how it was.... and actually, the base of the settee looks quite nice uncovered - but the cushions don't sadly or I'd have left them 'naked'!!

It dried on the line and went back on a dream. Clean.

Depends how much you are willing to risk it!!

Another hint is to put them back on when they're still a bit damp and stretch them out if you are worried. I thought I would wash them again if that was the case for me as I'd rather not have them on damp if avoidable.