The short answer: check the care tag first. If the covers are removable and marked machine washable, zip them closed, wash them on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent and let them air dry. Clean foam inserts and cushions with fixed covers by vacuuming, deodorizing with baking soda and spot-cleaning with a little upholstery cleaner. Let everything dry fully before you put the couch back together.
What to check before you start
- The care tag. It is usually sewn inside the cover or under the seat cushions. It tells you whether covers are machine washable, dry clean only or spot clean only.
- The cleaning code. W means water-based cleaners are safe, S means solvent only, WS means either, and X means vacuum only. See upholstery cleaning codes.
- A zipper is not a promise. Many covers have zippers only so the cushion can be stuffed at the factory. If the tag doesn’t say washable, don’t machine wash.
How do you wash couch cushion covers?
- Vacuum the covers while they are still on the cushions.
- Treat stains first with a little mild detergent or a stain remover that suits the fabric. Test it on a hidden spot.
- Remove the covers and zip them closed so the zippers don’t snag.
- Wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener.
- Air dry, or tumble dry on low only if the tag allows it. Heat shrinks covers.
- Put the covers back on while they are very slightly damp. They stretch on more easily and dry to fit.
Wash all the covers at the same time, so the color stays even across the couch.
How do you clean couch cushions that can’t be removed or washed?
- Vacuum every surface with the upholstery attachment, including the seams.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the cushions, leave it for at least 30 minutes and vacuum it up.
- For a W or WS fabric, mix a few drops of dish soap into a cup of lukewarm water. Dampen a white microfiber cloth, wring it well and blot the fabric. Don’t soak it.
- Go over the area again with a cloth dampened in plain water, then blot dry with a towel.
- Let the cushions dry with a fan or an open window before anyone sits down.
For S-code fabric, use a solvent-based upholstery cleaner as directed. For X-code fabric, vacuum only and call a professional for stains.
Can you wash foam cushion inserts?
Not in a washing machine: the agitation tears foam, and a soaked foam block takes days to dry. To freshen an insert, vacuum it, sprinkle it with baking soda, leave it for an hour and vacuum again. For a spill that has soaked in, press a cloth dampened with mild soapy water into the spot, press with a dry towel and dry the foam upright in moving air until no dampness remains. Feather and fiber inserts should follow their own care tag.
How do you dry couch cushions?
Stand cushions on their edge so air reaches both faces, and point a fan at them. Don’t use a hot dryer or a heater, and don’t put damp cushions back on the couch: trapped moisture leads to mildew and a musty smell. If that has already happened, see how to get smell out of a couch.
How do you fluff couch cushions?
Flip and rotate loose cushions every week or two so they wear evenly. Plump fiber and feather cushions by patting the sides and dropping them on each edge. If foam cushions have gone flat, the foam itself is worn: see how to fix a sagging couch.
How often should you clean couch cushions?
Vacuum weekly, or more often with pets. Wash removable covers every few months, and deal with spills at once. More in how to clean a couch. If easy washing matters to you, shop washable and slipcovered sofas.