Has anyone washed dry clean only suite covers

cattie

I have a Multiyork suite & the covers state dry clean only. The cost of getting them dry cleaned will be at least twice, possibly 3 times the cost I expected the cleaners bill to be. So I'm wondering if anyone here has risked washing their dry clean only covers successfully? It appears that a new set of covers would set me back £1500 or more, so I'm certainly not willing to just take a chance!

skylight

I have.
Cold wash, well spun and put back on slightly damp (easier to put on and regain the shape).

But - your decision, I take no responsibility!!!

bobsa1

I have, I think putting them back on slightly damp is the way to go as they then retain their shape.

My sofa workshop ones were fine

silverbirch_3

I did after my daughter coloured one of the seat covers with blue crayon, and when i tried to sponge it off the whole seat went blue lol, i thought oh well its ruined anyway and in they all went. I now have a settee with holey thread bare seats, it didn't take kindly to being dysoned lol, but maybe a gentler machine wouldn't have had the same effect.

myrnahaz

I tried a small cushion cover first (same cotton fabric as suite) and it turned out ok so I did all the other loose parts as wel. The only problem was that the piping (red) ran into the main fabric (mainly cream with flowery pattern). It was only a small amount of 'run' and it never really got any worse despite washing them loads of times, but be aware that the main fabric may wash ok but that the trimmings may not.

I never used to iron them, either, just dried them on the line and put them back on - they stretched flat.

MATH

Try a small cushion case first to check that it's ok. Mine ocvers are labled dry clean only mixed fibres (not very helpful) but I've washed them regularly in cool water and mild detergent and they have been ok

rafi_2

Our sofa is a Marks one with removable dry clean only covers. Dry cleaning costs were horrendous so I tried washing one of the small cushion covers. Unfortunately it shrank (shrunk?) so I haven't tried anything else. I have a different washing machine now though so I may try again.

The next sofa will definitely have to have washable covers.

Has anyone tried Plumbs covers which are always being advertised, usually "Sale offers" or Lyn Plan? A spare set of Marks covers now are about the same price we paid for the sofa!

HoneyB_4

I put my suite covers in washing machine and tumble dryer alot, first time i did this i did only one cover just in case, but i suppose it something you either wanna try or you dont!

bethom

CATTIE
I used to make soft furnishings before I had children, and all I can say to you is it totally depends on the fabric, and to do as the others suggest an try a small cusion cover. Some fabrics react badly to hot water so I would suggest a very cool wash.

RAFI
In the 10 years I worked as a soft furnisher I never heard anything bad about plumbs, in fact a colleague went to work for them. I have never actually personally used them or seen their work, but it should be possible to see samples of their work. The company I worked for would never let a customer get anything without showing them samples first. When you do buy new covers always go along the seams, giving them a gentle pull apart to check that they have all been sewn properly. Sometimes people can miss things and the last thing you want is to get a cover near enough on and find that the stitching has come loose.

Hope these things help.:)

rafi_2

Thanks bethom. i've been dithering about Plumbs for years, I keep seeing the adverts and that's as far as it goes. I'll contact them and see how it goes.