Washing interior cushion covers

[Tree]

Just got the covers off the cushions and about to put them through a cool wash in the washing machine. I can't remember who it was or what they did and can't seem to find the thread.

Fit them back on the cushions while damp or fit them back when dry. Will they shrink, hence why I'm thinking about fitting them back while damp?

[Tree]

One other thing, is it worth treating the covers with scotch guard and waterproofing the cushions as the largest one is damp in one corner from condensation and is a little bit black with mould?

[Nancy]

Do you think they're the original covers? If so, I doubt if they'll shrink. The fabric on all the Albins I've seen feels like a synthetic. Wash in cold water - I can't remember if I washed ours on gentle in the washing machine or by hand in the bathtub - run through spin cycle in washing machine, hang to dry. I would put the covers back on while still very slightly damp.

Scotch Guard is a good idea. Not sure if I'd bother with the waterproofing....I'd be more inclined to try locating and correcting the source of the problem.

If you're really concerned, call or email Bristol Cushions. They're great to work with. We just picked up our cushions yesterday. We'd shipped the covers to them for new foam to be cut. What a difference! No more bottoming out. I just hope they're not too firm and that the seat backs lie down properly. Won't know for another 4-5 weeks. Too cold and snowy still.

[Tree]

They're certainly the originals. I reckon it's the first time they've been washed in 15 years! The damp is being caused by condensation despite dehumidifiers and heaters in the cabin. Normally you guys over there would remove your cushions over winter but we are year Roy s over here. I washed them on a cold wash and they have come out looking like new and smell a 100 times better now. I'll fit them later today while they're still a little bit damp.

[Nancy]

Glad you got good results.

[Pitou]

I washed the covers last year and let them hang dry before putting them back on. The trick was to turn them inside out in order to get them back on without too much struggle.

[Tree]

Wish I'd known that. I can only compare putting the cushions back in the covers as being the same as putting an octopus in a string bag.

Or worse still, trying to dress a small child.

[carolmarie]

How about sending them out to be dry cleaned?

[joreyn]

We dry cleaned ours. They came back fine. But what a pain putting the foam back in.