How to Clean Couch Cushions

How to Clean Couch Cushions
Look As Good As New

With daily use, our couches can need a spruce up from time to time, to keep them looking, and smelling, fresh and lovely. This isn’t so hard to do, and can be easily added to your list of chores.

The best way to clean couch cushions

First, it’s a case of giving the couch a thorough vacuuming.
Pull the cushions off and go over every inch, getting right down inside and along the piping and zippers. The debris and crumbs that you’re removing not only make your couch smell, but can wear away at the fabric over time. So, it all needs to go.

If you have pets, wearing a pair of slightly damp rubber washing up gloves, rub the couch all over, removing the hair and fluff that vacuums often fail to collect completely.

Now, you need to decide if the cushions need a complete wash, or just a spot clean.

Most couch cushion covers can be unzipped, removed and washed in the washing machine – but do check the instruction labels, just to be sure.

Spot cleaning

Most contemporary couches have been treated with stain resistant products during the manufacturer, but if there are stains that need to be removed, follow these steps:

  1. For recent spills, using kitchen paper, or a cotton cloth, soak up as much of the liquid as you can. Dab and soak rather than rub as this prevents pushing the liquid into the cushion.
  2. Go over the mark with a proprietary upholstery cleaner. These are very effective and readily available. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, repeating the process as necessary.
  3. For older stains, you should use the proprietary upholstery cleaner, repeating until the stain has vanished.

Washing the cushions

The cushion pads can be machine washed if they fit into your machine. But do remember to turn off the agitator, or you risk your cushion being destroyed.

If your cushions are just too big for your washing machine, they can be washed in the bathtub. Use hand warm water and your regular laundry detergent, and gently hand wash the pad. Add in a little vinegar to really freshen them up.

Once you’ve rinsed them thoroughly, hang them in the sun to dry. They may take a day or two to dry completely, so plan the right time to carry out this chore.

For more cushion cleaning hacks, check here, or watch this video:

Scroll To Top