Talk to me about loose covers quickly please.

[Bluepetticoat]

I am keen to take advantage of Laura Ashlley's sale and could get some loose covers for my LA sofa at 40%- been thinking of this for a while.

The sofa is LA and the covers I have are cotton and w ashable.

However, the new swatches say Dry Clean only. This sounds such a pain- was thinking I'd whip off and bung in washing machine.

Anyone got loose covers they have dry cleaned and do they come up looking clean? I am looking at a neutral shade. they won't get a huge amount of wear- no small DCs or pets- but have to be realistic about spillages etc.

i have multiyork sofas with dry clean only covers. i had them dry cleaned the first time - at huge cost - and they came back with all marks still in situ. chucked them in the wash, with wool detergent on wool cycle, and they came our lovely and clean.

they get done twice a year now and despite being 8 years old they look almost as good as new. which is a shame really as i fancy a change but can't justify the cost!

I think what I am going to do is order them with arm caps and experiment washing the arm caps. shrinkage is the major issue and as the material is linen and viscose I can't see why they can't be washed gently.

My Tetrad ones wash well and they say to put back on slightly damp . I guess so they stretch back in situ. I also tumble dry them although that is not advised on the care label.

Would never even consider dry clean - I have just paid £35 to get some curtains dry cleaned - they only cost £35 in a sale.

Also consider with loose covers you really should get them all cleaned at the same time so they all fade together. Forget popping one stained cushion in to be done and to save some money

My reservations about dry cleaning are more convenience than cost. Just be and DH at home now so not a lot of wear but if any spillages happen- coffee- wine- then it's the weekend and by Monday the cover would be dry and ruined.

I once had fixed covers that were cotton and cleaned in situ, but the seat and back cushions were removable so washed those.

I have had 2 sets of loose covers that were washable and washed them- but agree you lose colour if you wash one part more than the other.

Loose covers. If not new, is dyeing worth trying instead? My experience with so-called colourfast dyes - remember Dylon? has not been happy. I want to change the three-piece suite - or do I? The fitted covers need a clean -thanks for the tip, try machine wash anyway, but I want to colour-coordinate with the new carpet and curtains. Salmon pink does not look so good against pinkish-purple, so will dyeing work? Should I trade in or try 2nd hand at furniture turnaround? Yes, the loose cover, worse, the new fitted cover market range and price is as bad as ever.