A good couch cover should feel easy to live with. It should soften your space, handle everyday life, and be simple to care for — without needing special treatment or constant attention.

With the right approach, keeping your couch covers clean is straightforward and helps them look better for longer. Below is our simple, no-fuss guide to washing, drying and caring for your covers so they stay fresh, soft and well-shaped over time.

Before You Clean: A Few Simple Checks

Before washing any couch cover, take a moment to check the basics:

• Check the care instructions on your couch cover
• Shake off crumbs, dust or pet hair
• If you're unsure, test a small, less visible area first

These small steps help protect the fabric and prevent unnecessary wear.

How to Wash Couch Covers

Most couch covers can be cleaned at home with minimal effort. The key is to keep things gentle.

Machine Washing

For regular cleaning:

• Use a cold or cool wash
• Select a gentle cycle
• Choose a mild detergent
• Wash with similar colours
• Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals

Gentle washing helps preserve the texture and structure of the fabric while still giving it a thorough clean.

Drying Couch Covers the Right Way

How you dry your couch covers matters just as much as how you wash them.

• Air drying is best whenever possible
• Lay flat or hang evenly to help maintain shape
• Avoid high heat and tumble dryers
• Keep out of direct sunlight for extended periods

Letting covers dry naturally helps them retain their softness and fit.

Tumble drying on a lower heat if necessary.

Removing Everyday Marks & Odours

Life happens — and couch covers are there to help with everyday use.

For small marks:

• Spot clean as soon as possible
• Use a soft cloth and mild solution
• Blot gently rather than rubbing

For odours:

• Allow covers to air out between washes
• A gentle wash is usually enough to refresh them

Avoid aggressive stain removers, which can damage fibres or affect colour.

How Often Should You Wash Couch Covers?

There's no need to over-wash. In most homes:

• Every 3–4 weeks is sufficient
• More often in high-use spaces or homes with pets
• Less frequently in low-traffic rooms

Regular light cleaning is better than infrequent heavy washing.

Long-Term Care Tips

A little ongoing care helps your couch covers age gracefully:

• Rotate or adjust covers occasionally to distribute wear
• Be mindful of sharp objects or rough contact
• Store covers folded neatly when not in use

Well-cared-for covers tend to soften over time while keeping their structure.

Designed to Be Lived With

At The Soft Standard, our couch covers are designed to feel comfortable, practical and considered — pieces that fit naturally into everyday life.

If you're looking for covers that are easy to care for and easy to live with, you can explore our collection below.

Browse our couch covers