How to Clean Microfiber Couch Covers
Couch covers, or slip covers, are an affordable way to extend the life of a couch, change the look of a room or hide wear and tear on an old couch. Microfiber covers have gained popularity due to their durability and low cost. Many covers, even microfiber covers, can be washed in a washing machine as long as special care is used. Prior to following these or any cleaning instructions, always consult the manufacturer's care information for a particular couch cover. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Washing machine Delicate washing detergent Dryer with tumble setting or clothing line
Instructions
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Examine the couch cover for small tears and stains. Pre-treat any stained areas and repair tears, as tears can expand and stains can become set after washing. Test any stain remover to be used on a well-hidden section of the cover prior to treating stains to be sure that the color of the cover will not be removed during cleaning.
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Wash the cover on the delicate cycle using cold water. Do not use harsh chemicals on a microfiber couch cover. Consider using diluted fabric detergent or a detergent manufactured for delicate fabrics.
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Reposition the microfiber couch cover at least once during the wash cycle to assure it is rinsed evenly.
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Place the couch cover in the dryer on tumble using the lowest heat setting available.
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Remove the cover from the dryer and rearrange it every 20 minutes to make sure it dries evenly. Do not use a high heat setting, as the cover may shrink or become damaged. Some covers may shrink with only a small amount of heat, so if the microfiber couch cover fits very tightly, consider hanging it to dry to prevent shrinkage.
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Tips & Warnings
Some covers may need to be ironed after washing. Consult the manufacturer's care instructions regarding ironing, as many microfiber materials will melt or shrink if ironed. If the cover does not fit perfectly when returning it to the couch, reshape it by spraying it with a mist of clean water and smoothing the fabric into place.
Never wash a microfiber cover that contains webbed backing or padding unless the manufacturer's care instructions provide information on how to do so. Washing a cover with backing or padding could cause the cover to become disfigured and lumpy. If there are no manufacturer's cleaning instructions available for the couch cover, have the cover cleaned by a professional. Dry cleaning will prevent damage such as discoloration and shrinking.
Resources
- Photo Credit stock_xchng - More Furniture (stock photo by kiamedia) [id 450383]
