This is a question that many people have asked us at Casco Bay Furniture and one I am personally interested in as I have a Four Seasons Furniture white sofa and 2 white chairs in my own living room. I also have a wood burning stove and the inevitable dust that goes along with it. We clean the stove almost every morning in the winter, and no matter what I do, soot escapes during the cleaning procedure. Urgghh. So let me share what I have discovered.

Washable or dry-cleanable

Many fabrics for Four Seasons Furniture slip covered sofas are washable, but some are not. Most manufacturers, however, recommend that most fabrics should be dry-cleaned with the exception of some performance fabrics such as Sunbrella. None-the-less, most fabrics have been pre-washed, which means they are washable.

Washing My Four Seasons Furniture slipcovers is a little bit of a project, so I can see why some people might find it easier to take them to the dry cleaner. Dry cleaning is also easier on the seams. Personally we have never dry cleaned our covers and have found a way to clean them so that they still look like new after five years of a wood stove, a shaggy Australian Sheppard and a cat.

But before you jump into cleaning your Four Seasons Furniture slipcovers yourself, double check with your retailer to make sure that they are washable…and of course, this is just my story of how I clean my sofas. You must make your own decision about how to clean your furniture. At Casco Bay Furniture we do know which of our slip covered furniture fabrics are washable. If we can help? Give us a call.

My 4 Step Process to Washing  Slip Covered Furniture

Note: a front loading washing machine is preferable as it doesn’t have an agitator and will have less wear on your covers, but I have used used a top loader too…

1. To begin with, carefully and without force, remove all your covers. The typical Four Seasons Furniture sofa may have up to 12 parts. This includes the cushion covers, the arms, the skirt, the inside and outside back and sides, and any covers to toss pillows. Note: Four Seasons Furniture slip covered accent chairs are one complete piece. All should be removed.

2. Wash you slipcovers as if you were washing a nice sweater on the delicate cycle. Use a gentle cleaner like Woolite (but I have to confess, I use my regular detergent). It’s a good idea to wash a single item first, such as a toss pillow cover, just to make sure it washes well. Then I have found it best to wash one item at a time, unless it is small like a toss pillow cover. Due to our wood stove, in some cases, I have had to wash each cover twice. Sometimes a second rinse works well.

3.  If you are satisfied with how the cover has been cleaned, it is time to line dry it. Be careful when line drying not to fold the cover over the line as this can leave marks or residue from the line (this has happened to me). Never dry your covers in the dryer. You can, if you wish, air fluff the covers in the dryer without heat when they are almost dry. I usually cover the line with a clean cloth.

4. According to the manufacturer, you should apply the covers to your frame when they are slightly damp. Let the covers dry on your set. I did this, but one time found that they were a little too wrinkled for me, especially the skirts. I then removed the covers after they were dry and with a warm iron and a pillowcase ironed all the skirts. I then put the covers back on, but I still found the covers to be a little too wrinkled (okay, I know I am a fanatic!) I then steamed the covers in place on my furniture and I must admit they came out great.

There’s no doubt washing your slipcover sofas is a little bit of work, but you only need to do this about once a year and it’s worth it. Your furniture will always look like new. It will stay relatively free of dust mites and other allergens and your furniture will last longer.

Any further questions on cleaning your slip covered furniture give us a call at Casco Bay Furniture or call your retailer. If we don’t know the answer, we will do our best to find out the answers to your questions.

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