Removable sofa covers: why they matter and how to wash them
Updated
A sofa gets more wear than almost anything else in the house: kids, pets, takeaway on a Friday night, guests sleeping on it. Covers you can unzip and wash change how long a sofa looks good – and how relaxed you can be about using it. Here is what removable covers are worth, what to check before you buy, and how to wash them without the colour going patchy.
Why removable covers matter more than people think
Most people choose a sofa on shape, colour and price, and only think about cleaning after the first spill. By then it is too late: a fixed cover can only be spot-cleaned or steam-cleaned in place, and anything that soaks into the foam underneath stays there.
A zip-off cover changes three things:
- You can actually clean it. Spot-cleaning moves a stain around; washing a whole cover removes it, along with the general grime that builds up on arms and seat fronts.
- It keeps a sofa bed fresh. If your sofa doubles as a guest bed, people sleep directly on it. Being able to wash the cover between guests is the difference between a sofa bed and a spare bed.
- You can change your mind later. A replacement cover in a new colour is a fraction of the price of a new sofa. Moving house, repainting or simply getting tired of a colour no longer means starting again.
What to check before you buy
“Removable cover” can mean very different things. Before you buy any sofa or sofa bed, ask:
- Does every piece come off, or only the seat cushions? Some sofas only have removable cushion covers; the frame stays fixed. Fully covered foam sofas – like the Nova Sofa Bed – have zip-off covers on every block.
- Where are the zips? Zips on the back or underside stay hidden when the sofa is made up. Zips on show catch on clothes and look untidy.
- What does the care label say? The label is the only reliable guide to water temperature, spin and drying for that fabric. If the retailer cannot tell you what it says, ask before you buy.
- Can you buy a spare or replacement cover? Being able to buy a second set – in the same colour or a new one – is what really extends a sofa’s life.
How to wash a removable sofa cover, step by step
These steps work for most zip-off upholstery covers. Always put the care label first – if it says something different, follow the label.
1. Read the label and check for colour run
Find the sewn-in care label and note the temperature, cycle and drying instructions. If this is the first wash, dab a damp white cloth on a hidden seam. If colour comes off, wash that cover on its own.
2. Take every cover off at the same time
Wash all the covers of one sofa together, even if only one cushion is dirty. Fabric changes very slightly every time it is washed. Washing one cover alone can leave it a shade lighter than the rest, and on a corduroy sofa you will see it as soon as the light hits the ribs.
3. Close the zips and turn covers inside out
Closed zips will not snag other covers in the drum. Turning corduroy inside out protects the raised ribs (the “wale”) from rubbing.
4. Use a gentle cycle and mild detergent
Choose the gentlest cycle the label allows and a mild liquid detergent. Skip bleach and optical brighteners – they can fade coloured fabric unevenly. Do not overload the machine: large covers need room to move to rinse properly.
5. Dry flat or on a line, out of strong sun
Unless the label says tumble-drying is fine, dry covers flat or over a line in the shade. Strong sun fades coloured fabric, and damp fabric is no exception. Smooth the seams and corners by hand while the fabric is wet so it dries in shape.
6. Refit while slightly damp
A cover that is still a little damp has more give, so it slides back over the foam more easily. Line up the corners first, then zip it closed and let it finish drying in a well-ventilated room.
7. Brush the ribs back up
Once dry, brush corduroy gently in one direction with a soft clothes brush or a dry hand. The ribs will lift and the colour will look even again.
Between washes: keep covers looking new
- Vacuum weekly with a soft brush attachment, working along the ribs rather than across them.
- Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub – rubbing pushes liquid into the foam and spreads the mark.
- Turn and plump cushions every week or two so they wear evenly.
- Keep it out of direct sun where you can. Every fabric fades, and a sofa under a north-facing window fades fastest.
- Use a throw on pet spots. A washable throw on the dog’s favourite corner means fewer full washes.
More detail on day-to-day care is in our fabric and care guide and our guide to corduroy sofa durability and cleaning.
Never put the foam in the machine
The covers come off; the foam stays dry. Washing machines and dryers break foam down, and wet foam takes days to dry and can grow mould. If something soaks through to the foam, press out as much liquid as you can with a dry towel, then let the block air-dry completely – standing on its end, in a ventilated room – before you refit the cover.
Replacement covers: a new look without a new sofa
Because every block of a Nova sofa is covered separately, you can buy a complete replacement set and change the colour of the whole sofa in an evening. Nova replacement covers come in all 17 corduroy colours and cost from $120 to $320 depending on the model – a fraction of the price of a new sofa (the Nova Sofa Bed starts at $840).
A spare set is also useful if you use your sofa as a bed every week: one set on the sofa, one in the wash.
Not sure which colour to pick? Order a fabric swatch first. It is sent from our Melbourne warehouse and usually arrives within 3–8 business days, so you can see the colours in your own light.
Quick checklist
- Every piece has a zip-off cover, not just the seat cushions.
- Zips sit on the back or underside.
- You know what the care label says.
- Spare and replacement covers are available.
- Wash all covers together, dry out of the sun, refit slightly damp.
Ready to look? Browse the Nova range – every piece has zip-off corduroy covers – or read how to choose a sofa bed for a small space.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put sofa covers in the washing machine?
Most zip-off covers can be machine-washed, but the care label sewn into the cover decides the temperature, cycle and drying. Wash all the covers of one sofa together on a gentle cycle and never put the foam inside the machine.
Why does one cushion look lighter after washing?
Fabric changes slightly with every wash. If one cover is washed on its own it can end up a shade lighter than the rest. Washing every cover of the sofa at the same time keeps the colour even.
How do I get a washed cover back on?
Refit it while it is still slightly damp – the fabric has more give. Line up the corners of the cover with the corners of the foam block first, then close the zip.
Can I change the colour of my Nova sofa later?
Yes. Every Nova block has its own zip-off cover, and replacement covers come in all 17 corduroy colours, so you can change the whole sofa without buying a new one.
What if a spill soaks into the foam?
Unzip the cover, press out as much liquid as you can with a dry towel, then let the foam block air-dry completely in a ventilated room before refitting the cover. Do not machine-wash or tumble-dry foam.
Shop the range: Sofa beds · Corner sofas · The Nova range · Fabric swatches