Hommey’s Guide To Washing Cushion Covers

Nothing beats the feeling of fresh, plush and clean cushions. At Hommey, we want to ensure that your cushions last forever and we get it, life can get messy. Whether it’s an accidental spill of your morning coffee, dirty paw prints from post walk zoomies, or reminiance of Saturday evening take-out, we want to offer you a few easy steps on how to resurrect the damage and to remove the stains from cushions so they maintain freshness throughout all seasons. A key thing to take note is remembering that all cushions are unique and are constructed with different materials, for example, Velvet is a lot more fragile than Bouclè - so grab a cuppa and let’s chat about clean, fresh cushions.

The Tools.

Firstly, make sure you have the right trusty materials on hand:
- Vacuum Cleaner
- White Vinegar
- All natural dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Cloth
- Baking soda 

how to wash cushion covers

 

Hand Washing Couch Cushions

Make sure you take a good look at the care tag to see if the cushion cover is machine washable. If not, there are a few steps you can take to get rid of stubborn stains. Firstly, remove the cover from the cushion inner so the inner doesn’t get damaged or wet. In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of all natural dish soap. Lightly spray the stain and give the mixture a minute or so to sink in. 
Once the liquid has settled, lightly dab the stain with a cloth until it has removed - do not scrub aggressively as this may damage the fibres in the cover. Once the stain is gone, use a separate clean rag and make it damp with clean water to rinse the spot, leaving it fresh to dry. Top tip: baking soda is a great tool to use on stains that have a stronger odour - simply leave overnight and repeat the above steps. 
Once you’ve completed the spot stain removal, give the cushion an overall clean to make sure all remaining dirt is gone. Add a drop or two of natural dish soap to a damp cloth and gently rub the entire cushion cover with it, covering each corner. Repeat until there is no dirt left and use a new damp cloth to rinse the cushion free of remaining dish soap. 

Drying Cushion Covers

No damp cushions here! Make sure you give your cushions time to breathe and dry naturally. You can either open the windows and lay them flat in a dry area out of direct sunlight, or outside on the line. If you need them sooner, you can use a fan or hair dryer (on a cool setting) to help facilitate faster drying. 

Machine Washable Cushion Covers

If the product care tag says that the cushion cover can be machine washed, simply unzip the cover and remove it from the cushion. Once placed in the washing machine, pop on a gentle cycle in cold water with mild, natural detergent. Make sure the cover is zipped up before (just in case it twists and turns into a tangled mess). Cushion covers can be hung outside on the line, or to avoid shrinkage, place the damp cover onto the cushion and let it dry molding itself to the shape of the cushion for the perfect fit.  

How Often Should I Clean My Cushion Covers?

Scheduling time to clean and maintain freshness of your cushion covers should definitely be part of your cleaning routine! Removing dirt and dust can be done once a week with a vacuum cleaner, and we recommend washing the covers every three months to prolong longevity. If you notice a stain, we recommend jumping on the clean up job as soon as possible for ease of removal. Once you’re done with the regular maintenance, you’ll be ready to sit back and enjoy your space in all of its freshness. 
Want to read more? We’ve got your afternoon reading covered:
Shining A Light On Hommey Pets
Linen 101: A Style Guide
The Versatility Of Hommey Velvets
March 14, 2023