Have you ever drycleaned / washed your sofa covers?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Hi, we have Ikea sofas with removable covers for washing. I think they are made of cotton and are obviously huge (well, the main body of the sofa anyway) so I'm not sure how to clean them. The covers are getting pretty grotty now and spot cleaning isn't helping much anymore. Do you think they need dry cleaned or could I put the individual covers in the washing machine???

I did mine last week - the label said "professional clean in situ", but I am quite reckless about stuff like that and decided to just go for it. Did them on a 40 degree delicate wash, and they came out just fine!
My sister often remarks that just because something fits through the washing machine door, that doesn't mean it's ok to put it in the washing machine.....whereas that's kind of the rule I live by!

I always follow the washing instructions, (often on tags inside ikea cushion covers) if you don't have them go to the Ikea site and download the guide for the sofa. It has how to best refit and wash covers. I try to wash the cover separately from the cushion covers as the Velcro becomes a nightmare and they get a better wash. You do need a large machine. I have 2 ektorp (simple) and a nikkala ikea sofa (a great hassle to put back on).

My cream sofa covers a dry clean only

I wash them a few times a year, with ariel and line dry.

The come out like new

I even gave birth on my sofa and you would never know.

I think the ikea sofa covers that are removable are remoavable TO machine wash. Im sure they will be fine,

This is the 3rd sofa where i went ahead and washed the covers, and they are / were still fine

I stick my cushion covers in the wash all the time when they get pissed on of vomited on. They are fine.

I have cotton velvet loose covers and wash and tumble th every six months or so.

I machine washed my cotton/linen mix ones yesterday (says dry clean only) but I was desperate as the dog had vommed spectacularly on two cushions. Did them on a wool/hand wash. Just put the covers back on and it looks brand new! Now have to do the rest...

I dry clean my covers as the cover for the large 2 seater doesn't fit in my w/machine!

I tend to call around all the local dry cleaners and get them to quote. Last time, one had a half price offer on all upholstery cleaning - they got my kitchen curtains too!

Does anyone know how much it costs to dry clean sofa covers?

I have the Ikea ones but they state dry clean only. They're filthy. . . :-(

I've just put my Ikea Karlstad covers on a 40 degree synthetics wash. I'll let you know how I get on.

fingers crossed

update: very slight shrinkage but covers fitted back on the cushions easy enough. there is now a small gap between the cushions due to the shrinkage which I don't mind but will ask OH what she thinks tonight.

Does anyone have any experience of washing Plumbs loose covers? May get settees recovered by them or get new leather ones and can just wipe over esp after emptying ash from log burner. The ash leaves a film over everything in lounge, prob including settees with material covers. I am a lazy moo. Does anyone have a view on Cintique settees? No I am not that old really.

I washed my washable covers (following instructions on the label) and they shrunk so never fitted properly again. Still usable but good job all the furniture is against walls so big gaps at the back hidden!

I just washed my non-washable sofa covers in the machine this week for the first time. They came out absolutely fine!

Always look at your care instruction before washing - when in doubt, you can always take them to dry-cleaning, this is of course not very cost efficient. but if you do it once a year, then why not?