Can you wash upholstery fabric in the washing machine?

So, your kids were a little careless and spilled something all over the sofa or the party got a little too wild? Cleaning the couch by hand or spot cleaning could take some time. You might be wondering, “Can I wash cushion covers in the washing machine?” Before you throw them through a cycle, there are a few things you should know before taking the covers off.

Determine your fabric type

            When it comes to upholstery fabric, there are several types of fabric that can and cannot be washed in the washing machine. It all depends on the fiber and the backing used to weave the upholstery fabric. There will also be a cleaning code used by the manufacturer to determine the proper cleaning instructions for your furniture. I’ve gone into detail about these codes below. However, the furniture manufacturer may not use this code system and you should consult them before washing your casings in the washing machine. Most furniture manufacturers use these codes below.

W

– You can clean this material using water. You can also use a water-based shampoo or upholstery foam cleaner. Do not over wet the furniture and use a professional cleaning service for larger, non-spot cleanable stains. Use a professional cleaning service to prevent overall soiling.

 

S

– No Water! You’ll need to purchase a solvent-based cleaner. Spot clean only and DO     NOT USE WATER! If the fabrics appear to be piling, a metallic brush or shaver might need to be used. To prevent circling or a soil ring, clean the outside of the spill first and work your way in. For larger stains, call a furniture cleaning service to assist and to prevent overall soiling.

 

WS

– You can use water or a solvent-based cleaner on this furniture. Steam cleaning and hot water extraction is not recommended. Cushion cases should not be removed and laundered or dry cleaned. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately and removed the liquid or solid material. Clean spots or stains from the outside, then work your way in to avoid water or soil rings. Use an upholstery cleaning service for larger more inconvenient stains and to prevent overall soiling.

X

– Vacuum only or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush. Do not use a water or solvent based cleaner. Use an upholstery cleaning professional to prevent permanent stains and overall soiling. 

 

Ask your furniture manufacturer or furniture store

Anything labeled with the code X or S should never be washed in the washing machine. I would call an upholstery or furniture cleaning specialist to help you clean your furniture. When you see the code WS or W, I would still call your manufacturer or furniture store and ask if washing them in the washing machine is ok. They will ask you the type of furniture, the fiber content, and the cleaning code as we discussed previously. They might even recommend upholstery cleaning professional as well, so you won’t risk ruining your fabrics.

If they approve of machine washing your furniture casings. You can follow these steps to machine wash your cushions.

Machine Washing Upholstery Fabric

Step 1.) Set the washing machine to a cold-water cycle.

This is because your furniture might have a synthetic fiber with a low melting point. Washing the casing on a high temperature could damage or potentially melt your fabric

 

Step 2.) Use a non-dyed detergent or pod for the best cleaning results

. It’s easy to find a detergent that doesn’t use any dyes. Sometimes, the dyed detergents with blue or some vibrant color can stain your furniture casing. To avoid this, use the non-dyed or natural detergents. These are usually clear or milky white in color.

Step 3.) Wash your casings

. Again, be sure to check they are on a cold wash and rinse water cycle to avoid damaging or potentially melting your fabric.

Step 4.) Dry your casings. 

Most synthetic fibers do not need that long of a dry cycle. If you do dry them in a machine dryer, make sure you use a LOW HEAT setting in order to reduce the risk of damaging your casings. Natural fibers are also susceptible to shrink in the dryer as well. To avoid headaches later, make sure you dry your casings to an almost dry/slightly damp feel. It will be easier to put the casings back on the furniture as well.

Step 5.) Let your furniture air dry

 When you’ve placed your slightly damp casings on the cushions, let them dry before letting anyone or pets sit on the furniture.

 

Thank you for reading our blog on washing upholstery fabric in the washing machine. If you have any questions about washing Revolution Performance Fabrics or Revolution Outdoor in the washing machine, please contact us at revolution@stikp.com.