Guide · Carpets, sofas and upholstery ·
How to Wash Seat Cushions
Chair cushions, floor cushions and sofa seat cushions are sat on every day, so they collect dust, sweat, and food and drink stains. How a cushion should be washed depends on the cover fabric and the type of filling: removable covers can usually be machine washed, while foam, cotton and rubber fillings can deteriorate and dry slowly when put in water. This guide explains how to wash cushion covers, how to clean foam, fibre, cotton and rubber cushions and how to remove stains from cushions whose covers do not come off.
Before washing
- Read the label: check the care labels of the cover and the filling separately; even if the cover is washable, the filling may not be.
- Find out the filling: foam, fibre (polyester), cotton or rubber filling is cleaned differently.
- Remove the dust: beat the cushion and remove the dust between the seams with the brush nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.
- Identify the stains: pre-treat stains before washing; test the product on a hidden spot first.
How to wash seat cushion covers
- Take off the cover, turn it inside out and close the zip.
- Pre-treat stains with a stain remover such as İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı and leave it for the time on the label.
- Choose the programme and temperature on the fabric care label; use detergent for coloureds or, for white covers, detergent for whites, at the dose on the label.
- Wash the covers of matching cushions together; covers washed separately can take on different shades over time.
- Cotton covers can shrink at high temperatures; do not exceed the temperature on the label, and use the tumble dryer only if the label allows it.
- Put the cover back on the filling only once it is completely dry.
How to wash foam cushions
Foam filling absorbs water, dries slowly and can lose its shape when it gets wet. With foam cushions, if possible wash only the cover and air the foam in a well-ventilated, shaded place. Remove stains on the foam on the spot by pressing with TETİK Kar Aspirin applied to a clean cloth, then wipe with a clean damp cloth; do not soak the foam. If the foam needs washing and the manufacturer allows it, wash it in lukewarm water by pressing and releasing, remove the water by pressing without twisting or wringing, and dry it in the shade until it is completely dry inside; foam that stays damp inside smells.
How to wash fibre-filled cushions
Some fibre (polyester) filled cushions can be washed by hand or in the machine according to their label. For hand washing, fill a basin with lukewarm water, dissolve TETİK hand-wash detergent completely in the water, wash the cushion by pressing it into the water and releasing, and rinse until no foam remains. Do not twist the cushion to wring it; remove the water by pressing. While it dries, turn and beat the cushion from time to time to stop the fibre from clumping. Do not put cushions in the machine unless their label states machine washing.
How to clean cotton-filled cushions
Traditional cotton-filled floor cushions and divan cushions are not put in water; wet cotton clumps, dries slowly and smells. With cotton cushions, if the cover can be removed, wash only the cover and air the cotton in a well-ventilated place out of the sun. On cotton cushions whose cover does not come off, clean stains on the spot by pressing. To renew cotton filling that has clumped and hardened over time, contact a quilt maker or an upholsterer.
Cushions with buttons and fixed covers
- Do not put cushions with fixed covers or buttoned (tufted) cushions in water.
- Lift the stain by pressing with a clean cloth; do not rub.
- Spray TETİK Kar Aspirin onto a clean cloth and apply it to the stain by pressing; the Kar Aspirin label lists use on sofas and upholstery. Test on a hidden area first.
- Leave it briefly, wipe with a clean damp cloth and leave the cushion to dry in a well-ventilated place.
- Remove the dust between the buttons with the narrow nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.
Rubber and latex cushions
Rubber and latex fillings are sensitive to heat, sun and heavy moisture. With these cushions, wash only the cover according to its label; do not put the filling in water and do not dry it in the sun or on a radiator. Clean stains on the filling on the spot with a slightly damp cloth, following the manufacturer's recommendation.
Sofa and garden cushions
Sofa cushion covers are considered together with the sofa fabric; on cushions whose covers come off, wash the cover according to its label, and on those whose covers do not, clean the stain on the spot (how to clean a sofa). For garden and terrace cushions see how to clean a sun lounger, and for small decorative cushions see how to wash cushions.
How to dry seat cushions
Dry the washed cover and cushion in a well-ventilated, shaded place on a flat surface and turn them from time to time. Do not put the cover back on or use the cushion until the filling is completely dry inside; filling that stays damp can cause bad odours. Do not put foam, cotton or rubber fillings in the tumble dryer or leave them in direct sunlight.
What not to do
- Putting the cover and filling in the machine together without checking the label.
- Putting foam, cotton or rubber filling in water.
- Twisting the cushion to wring it.
- Using too much detergent: it does not rinse fully out of the filling.
- Putting the cover back on before the filling is completely dry.
- Mixing stain remover with bleach or other cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).
For cafés, hotels and nurseries
Chair cushions in cafés and restaurants, seating in hotel lobbies and floor cushions in nurseries are used every day; removable, washable covers and quick action on stains make cleaning easier. TETİK Kar Aspirin is sold in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg packs and TETİK Hand-Wash Powder Detergent in 20 kg. For product lists, see the guides restaurant cleaning supplies and Hotel cleaning supplies list, and for bulk purchases you can request a quote.
