Caring for Wool Cushion Covers, From First Week to Fifth Year

Why wool asks for less washing

All RS Living cushion covers are 100% wool. Wool has a natural coating that resists dirt and slows liquid down, and it lets go of smells when it is aired. The result is that a wool cover needs washing far less often than a cotton one. Most of its care is airing, brushing and dealing with spills quickly.

Washing is also where wool is most at risk. Heat, agitation and wringing together make wool fibres lock onto each other and shrink. So the method below keeps washing to a minimum and makes it gentle when it happens.

Every week or two

Plump and turn the cushions so the same face is not always against your back. Brush the covers lightly with a soft clothes brush, or vacuum with an upholstery attachment on low suction, to lift dust before it settles into the weave.

Every so often, take the covers off and hang them somewhere airy and out of direct sun for a few hours. Fresh air does more for wool than most cleaning products.

When something spills

Act straight away. Lift any solids with a blunt edge, working from the outside in. Blot with a clean white cloth, pressing firmly and moving to a dry part of the cloth each time. Never rub: rubbing pushes the spill deeper and roughens the surface.

Dampen the spot with cool water, a little at a time, and blot again. If a mark remains, a small amount of wool-safe detergent diluted in cool water can be dabbed on and blotted off, followed by plain water. Test on a hidden seam first. Dry flat, away from heat.

Washing the whole cover

Check the label on your cover first and follow it. Where hand washing is suitable, use cool water and a wool-specific detergent, turn the cover inside out, and squeeze the water through gently. Do not wring, twist or soak for long.

Rinse in water at the same cool temperature, because a sudden change can also cause shrinking. Press out water by rolling the cover in a towel, then dry it flat, reshaped, away from radiators and direct sun. Never tumble dry.

If you are unsure, a dry cleaner who handles wool is the safer route, especially for covers with strong contrast colours.

Pilling, and what to do about it

Small balls of fibre on the surface are normal on a new wool textile where it rubs most. They are loose fibres working their way out, not a sign the cover is wearing through. Remove them with a fabric shaver or a wool comb, holding the fabric flat, and they become less frequent with time.

Sun, moths and storage

Strong direct sunlight fades every dye over time. If a sofa sits under a window, rotate the cushions so they fade evenly.

Moths are drawn to wool that is left undisturbed in the dark, especially if it is not clean. Store spare covers clean, dry and folded in a breathable cotton bag, and air them now and then. Regular use is the best protection of all.

For pairing covers with your rug and sofa, read choosing pillows to go with a rug.

A routine you can actually keep

Weekly: plump, turn and swap cushions between positions so wear and light are shared out. Brush or vacuum lightly if the room is dusty.

Every few months: remove the covers and air them outside the room or by an open window, out of direct sun, for a few hours. Check seams and zips while they are off.

As needed: spot clean spills the moment they happen, using the blot, dampen, blot method above.

Rarely: a full gentle hand wash or a dry clean, only when a cover is visibly soiled overall rather than marked in one spot. For most homes that is not often.

Specific stains, and what to do

Tea and coffee: blot at once, dampen with cool water, blot again. Repeat until no more colour comes onto the cloth. Do not use hot water.

Oily food or make-up: lift any residue with a blunt edge, then dab with a small amount of wool-safe detergent in cool water, working from the outside of the mark inwards. Rinse by dabbing with plain cool water and blot dry.

Wax: let it harden, then lift as much as you can with a blunt edge. Do not use an iron directly on wool; if a trace remains, a dry cleaner can deal with it.

Anything you are unsure of: blot what you can and take the cover to a dry cleaner who handles wool. Telling them what the stain is helps.

Inserts matter too

A cover lasts longer on an insert that fills it properly. A loose insert lets the cover crease and rub in the same places; a slightly fuller insert keeps the surface taut and even. When you plump cushions, plump the insert rather than pulling at the cover.

If the insert is damp, from a spill that soaked through or from a humid room, take the cover off and let both dry separately. Never put a cover back on a damp insert.

Common mistakes

Washing too often. Every wash is a small risk to wool. Airing and spot cleaning do most of the work.

Tumble drying. Heat and tumbling together are what shrink wool. Always dry flat.

Hanging a wet cover on a line by one edge. Wet wool is heavy and stretches out of shape. Lay it flat on a towel and reshape it while damp.

Leaving covers on a sofa in full sun all day. Rotate cushions, or draw a blind in the brightest hours.