Can You Wash Pottery Barn Couch Covers? (Find Out Now!)
For those of us who like to change things up every so often, Pottery Barn offers a variety of couch slipcovers. They have a wide range of materials, colors, and textures to suit any style. And here’s some great news: Pottery Barn couch covers are so easy to wash and maintain!
Regardless of the material, Pottery Barn couch covers are washer- and dryer-safe. They must be washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent and dried on a low-heat setting. The upholstery allows for spot cleaning in between washings. Use a damp, white cloth on spots and let it air dry.
Do You Need Furniture Cleaning Services?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Pottery Barn Couch Cover Fabrics
Pottery Barn Performance Fabrics are made to withstand the rigors of everyday life. Not only are they child and pet-friendly, but they are water repellent, fade- and abrasion-resistant, and machine washable! They truly are the perfect solution for the modern family.
All Performance Fabrics are available from Grade A to Grade E. Here’s a quick guide of their available fabrics.
| Fabric | Material | Description | Grade |
| Performance Everyday Velvet | 100% polyester face | Warp-knit velvet with soft, plush pile | A |
| Performance Canvas | 100% polyester | Stain-resistant | B |
| Performance Tweed | 100% polyester | Woven with extra-soft chenille bouclé yarns. Stain-resistant | C |
| Performance Everyday Suedeâ„¢ | 100% polyester face | Ultra-plush microfiber | C |
| Perennials® Performance Basketweave | 100% solution-dyed acrylic | Soft, stain-resistant, and woven to look like linen | E |
| Perennials® Performance Awning Stripe | 100% solution-dyed acrylic | Bold striped linen-look. Stain-resistant | E |
Pottery Barn also offers many fabrics in cotton or cotton blend materials.
Washing Pottery Barn Couch Covers
All Pottery Barn couch covers, regardless of the fabric’s material, are machine washable. They will fit in a standard-size home machine and do not require the use of a Laundromat. However, you may need to divide the load into smaller bundles so as not to overcrowd the washer.
How to Wash
- Remove the covers from the couch frame.
- Turn them right-side-out and zip them completely closed.
- Pre-treat any stains with your favorite stain remover.
- Load the covers into the washer and run a gentle cycle with cold water. Be sure to use a mild detergent without bluing agents or bleach.
Drying Pottery Barn Couch Covers
Just as Pottery Barn couch covers can go in the washer, so too can they go in the dryer. There’s no need to use an industrial-sized machine when drying either.
How to Dry
- Dry the couch covers on a low heat setting until they are just slightly damp.
- Remove them from the dryer immediately to avoid wrinkling.
- While they’re still damp, stretch the covers over the couch frame or cushions. Let them dry completely before use.
If you’d rather not use the dryer, lay the covers flat to dry most of the way. In either scenario, it’s best to re-cover the couch and cushions while the fabric is still damp. The cover has more give when it’s damp, so it’s easier to stretch it over the frame.
Note: If you live in a humid area, you should let the fabric dry completely before covering the couch frame.
Spot Cleaning Pottery Barn Couch Covers
There’s no hard and fast rule on how often to wash your couch covers. Some users do it every six months. Some do it more often. It solely depends on your personal needs. Households with children and pets may require more frequent cleaning of the upholstery.
That being said, you have the option to spot clean in between washings. Pottery Barn couch covers allow for spot cleaning with very specific instructions.
How to Spot Clean
- Use a damp, white cloth to treat any spots.
- Blot to remove excess water.
- Add a dime-sized amount of hand soap to the cloth and gently rub it into the stain.
- Allow the area to air dry before use.
- Proceed to machine washing if the spot doesn’t come out.
The majority of Pottery Barn couch cover fabrics follow the same spot cleaning instructions. However, DO NOT spot treat their brushed canvas couch cover. Instead, consult a professional upholstery cleaner. (You can still wash and dry brushed canvas covers as noted above.)
Be aware that when spot treating Pottery Barn’s washed indigo denim fabric, some color transfer may occur. If needed, you also have the option of using a warm iron on this fabric.
Additional Care Tips
- Vacuum your couch regularly, especially if you have pets. A lint roller works too, though it takes more time.
- After washing, drying, and re-covering, check your couch cover for any loose threads and carefully snip them.
- Depending on the fabric, piling will most likely occur on the front of the couch where your legs rub against the fabric. Materials like twill and brushed cotton are susceptible to piling in washers with agitators. To remove fabric piles, use a sweater shaver after re-covering the couch.
Related Questions
We discussed a lot of ways to care for your Pottery Barn couch covers. Do you still have more questions? Keep reading for additional information and care instructions.
How do you wash a 100% polyester couch cover?Polyester is usually safe to throw in the washer on a cold, gentle cycle. Always check the care label instructions to be sure. Some polyester is dry-cleaned only, while others allow for machine washing but not machine drying.
Can you machine wash velvet couch covers?Pottery Barn’s website notes that velvet couch covers can be machine washed and dried. However, it’s always best to check the material’s care label instructions. Pottery Barn also suggests minimal contact of bare skin or bare heads on velvet upholstery. The body’s natural oils can alter velvet over time.
Do You Need Furniture Cleaning Services?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Summary
It makes sense that a removable couch cover would be machine washable. And that’s exactly what you get from Pottery Barn. Their various fabric materials are all, more or less, washer- and dryer-safe.
Be sure to wash the covers on a cold, gentle cycle using mild detergent. Lay them flat to dry or tumble them in the dryer on a low-heat setting. Unless you live in a humid climate, re-cover the couch frames and cushions while the material is still damp.
Related Guide
Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home. From cleaning and organization hacks to home decor ideas, she loves helping people in their quest to turn a house into a home. Her hobbies include pretending to be Joanna Gaines while updating her home with her husband and performing in local theater productions.
More by Brigid Levi
