About Cushion Covers

Removal

• You can take off the covers from some cushions to clean or replace them. Some couch cushion covers will have a zipper at the back of the cushion. Unzip the zipper, and pull the cushion from the cover. The zipper may be hidden under a rolled piping on the cover. Floor cushions or scatter cushions sometimes have envelope covers where the cover is folded over in the back to hide an opening that allows you to remove the cushion.

Cleaning

• There may be cleaning restrictions even if you can remove the cushion cover. Check the upholstery tag located on the underside of furniture for cleaning information. A "W" on the tag indicates that the upholstery can be cleaned with water. Drying cleaning solvents should be used to clean upholstery tagged with an "S." A mix of water and dry cleaning solvents will clean a cushion cover whose furniture is tagged with "W/S."

Decorating

• If cleaning fails to remove dirt or stains on a cushion cover, you can decorate over the stains with fabric paint, which is available in a variety of styles and is permanent, so it is also safe for sitting cushions. Outline the cushion cover in sparkle paint by squeezing the paint tube and using it as an applicator. Cover spots with geometric designs in dark colors, or paint a small scene on the cushion cover.

Reclaimed Fabric

• You can also solve your cushion cover cleaning or decor problems by replacing a cushion cover inexpensively with reclaimed fabric. Button-down shirts make an interesting replacement cover for throw cushions. A serape wall hanging or rug can brightly cover couch or scattered floor cushions and make them quite comfortable. Old curtains, quilts, bedspreads or long dresses that have been discarded will also provide enough material to make new cushion covers.