Best Fabric for Slipcovers & Cushion Covers

What makes a good slipcover or cushion-cover fabric?

Covers take more abuse than almost any other upholstery, because the whole point is that they get used, removed, and cleaned. The fabric needs to:

• Resist stains so spills don't set before you can wash the cover.
• Hold its shape — a tight, stable weave keeps covers from sagging or stretching out of fit.
• Clean easily, ideally either machine-washable or bleach-cleanable.
• Be durable enough to survive repeated removal and laundering without wearing thin.

This is exactly where performance fabric outperforms cotton, linen, or canvas, which absorb stains, shrink, and wrinkle.

Washable vs. fitted covers: two approaches

There are two ways to build a removable cover, and they call for slightly different fabric:

• Removable, washable covers. If the cover comes off and goes in the wash, choose a machine-washable fabric. Revolution Plus is built for this — wash on the delicate cycle in cold water with detergent and bleach, then dry on low heat for about 10 minutes. Because olefin yarn absorbs no water, it dries fast.
• Sewn or fitted covers (spot-cleaned). For tailored covers you'll clean in place, any standard Revolution performance fabric works. It's inherently stain-resistant and cleans with a water-and-bleach solution without discoloring — no machine washing needed.

How to clean slipcovers and cushion covers

Revolution Plus (machine-washable): pretreat any stain with water and bleach solution, wash on delicate/cold with detergent and a little bleach, then tumble dry low for about 10 minutes.

Standard Revolution (spot-clean): blot, spray a solution of about 2 oz bleach to 30 oz water, rinse with clean water, and air dry. Revolution is bleach-cleanable and won't discolor, even in dark colors.

For both, avoid solvent-based cleaners and after-market fabric protectors, which aren't needed and void the warranty.

Revolution fabrics for covers

• Slipcover Twill — a Revolution Plus machine-washable performance fabric made specifically for slipcovers, in roughly two dozen colors; pet- and kid-friendly.
• Revolution Plus washable collection — the full line of machine-washable fabrics for removable covers.
• All performance fabrics — for sewn or fitted covers you'll spot-clean.

Buying by the yard lets you make covers yourself, work with an upholsterer, or refresh a tired sofa without replacing it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best fabric for a slipcover?

A durable, stain-resistant performance fabric that holds its shape. For covers that come off to be washed, choose a machine-washable fabric like Revolution Plus; for fitted covers cleaned in place, any inherently stain-resistant performance fabric works well.

What fabric is best for cushion covers?

Tightly woven performance fabric is ideal because it resists stains, keeps its shape on the cushion, and cleans easily. Revolution's performance fabrics are bleach-cleanable, and the Revolution Plus line is machine-washable.

Can you machine wash performance fabric covers?

Standard Revolution fabric should be spot-cleaned, not machine washed. The Revolution Plus line is machine-washable: wash on delicate/cold with detergent and bleach, then dry on low heat for about 10 minutes.

How do you keep slipcovers from staining?

Use an inherently stain-resistant performance fabric so spills don't absorb, and treat them promptly. Revolution fabric resists water-based stains and cleans with a simple bleach-and-water solution without fading.

Can I buy slipcover fabric by the yard?

Yes. Revolution sells slipcover and cushion-cover fabric by the yard, so you can sew your own covers, supply an upholsterer, or refresh existing furniture. Order $2 swatches first to confirm color and texture.