Because real materials deserve real care — and sometimes a little wash…
At Schplendid, we build our sofas from the good stuff: pure linen or cotton velvet on the outside, down, lambswool and coconut on the inside — all natural. That means they feel wonderful. It also means that taking care of them needs a little more thought than wiping down a plastic-coated imitator.
So — can you wash the covers? Yes — but it pays to take care...
Cover Washing: Linen vs Velvet
Linen (Heavy and Light Upholstery-Grade Flax)
Our linen covers are 100 % pure upholstery-grade flax. While linen as a material is very washable, upholstery-grade linen behaves differently. With care, you can wash.
Home-washing guidelines:
-
Use cold water (or at most lukewarm). Hot water risks shrinkage and loss of fit.
-
Use a mild, gentle detergent. Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, or heavy industrial detergents.
-
Wash on a gentle/delicate cycle, or hand-wash if you want extra caution. Don’t overload the machine
-
Do not tumble-dry. Instead, let the covers air-dry (preferably flat or stretched gently to original shape, or hanging but avoiding direct sun or high heat).
-
For best fit: replace covers while still slightly damp — that helps them settle properly over the cushions during drying.
If you want absolute peace of mind — or if the covers are heavily stained or delicate — professional dry cleaning remains the safest route.
Cotton Velvet (natural pile velvet)
Velvet is a different beast. Velvet’s pile (the soft, raised fibres that give it depth and softness) makes it beautiful… but also sensitive. Water, agitation, heat or strong detergent can crush the pile, change texture, flatten nap, or even cause marks.
So for cotton velvet:
-
We recommend professional dry-cleaning only.
-
If you must attempt home-cleaning (only for very minor dust or surface dirt): use minimal moisture, never soak or drench, and avoid direct heat or tumble-drying. Always test on a hidden spot first.
-
To refresh the texture after cleaning — or if the pile looks flattened — use a soft-bristle brush or a uplift with a steamer (holding the steamer at a safe distance, never touching the velvet directly) to gently raise the nap.
Cleaning Hacks and Gentle Maintenance
Here are some extra ideas and gentle “hacks” for fabric-upholstery care that either we love — or are trending for good reason:
-
The “Saucepan Lid + Microfibre Cloth” trick — we love this viral cleaning-hack by Purdy & Figg. Wrap a clean microfibre cloth around a saucepan lid to create a flat, disc-like “pad.” Sweep over linen upholstery surfaces to lift dust, lighten wear, and refresh the fabric. Great for large sofas or cushions.
-
Regular vacuum or soft-brush dusting — especially helpful for velvet. Use a soft-bristle brush attachment, and move gently in the direction of the nap to avoid damaging the pile. Weekly or biweekly works well.
-
Spot-blotting for spills — for small liquid spills (water, tea, etc.), caretaking can help: blot with a dry white cloth, then dab with a lightly damp cloth if needed — especially on linen. Never rub. For velvet: blot gently, then let air-dry, and later brush pile back into place.
-
Mind the environment — avoid placing sofas in direct sunlight (which can fade linen or velvet), and avoid damp floors to protect your timber frame.
See also: How to Keep Your Sofa Looking Schplendid - A Guide to Regular Sofa Care
When to Call in the Professionals (i.e. Guardsman)
Because your Schplendid sofa is made from natural, uncoated fabrics – and because accidents happen – there’s no shame in calling in the heavy artillery.
If you have:
-
Large stains (wine, curry, oily food, ink, paint, makeup, pet accidents)
-
Deep spills or set-in stains
-
Damage to stitching, seams, zips, cushion form
-
Concern about shrinkage, colour change, or pile damage
Then it’s time to make use of your Guardsman protection plan. Their technicians are specialists — trained to work with delicate natural upholstery, and have the tools and gentle methods to restore or replace where needed. This is exactly what the coverage is for.
Tip: Add Guardsman protection (£30 per seat for 5 years cover) — it’s the easiest way to sleep easy, especially with kids, pets, or a busy household.
A little care, a bit of gentle cleaning and, when needed, a call to the professionals is all it takes to keep your sofas looking and feeling schplendid.
See also:
Sofa Care: How to Deal with Stains and Spills
How to Keep Your Sofa Looking Schplendid - A Guide to Regular Sofa Care
And read all our care guides here.
How to Wash and Care for Your Schplendid Sofa Covers
Because real materials deserve real care — and sometimes a little wash…
At Schplendid, we build our sofas from the good stuff: pure linen or cotton velvet on the outside, down, lambswool and coconut on the inside — all natural. That means they feel wonderful. It also means that taking care of them needs a little more thought than wiping down a plastic-coated imitator.
So — can you wash the covers? Yes — but it pays to take care...
Cover Washing: Linen vs Velvet
Linen (Heavy and Light Upholstery-Grade Flax)
Our linen covers are 100 % pure upholstery-grade flax. While linen as a material is very washable, upholstery-grade linen behaves differently. With care, you can wash.
Home-washing guidelines:
Use cold water (or at most lukewarm). Hot water risks shrinkage and loss of fit.
Use a mild, gentle detergent. Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, or heavy industrial detergents.
Wash on a gentle/delicate cycle, or hand-wash if you want extra caution. Don’t overload the machine
Do not tumble-dry. Instead, let the covers air-dry (preferably flat or stretched gently to original shape, or hanging but avoiding direct sun or high heat).
For best fit: replace covers while still slightly damp — that helps them settle properly over the cushions during drying.
If you want absolute peace of mind — or if the covers are heavily stained or delicate — professional dry cleaning remains the safest route.
Cotton Velvet (natural pile velvet)
Velvet is a different beast. Velvet’s pile (the soft, raised fibres that give it depth and softness) makes it beautiful… but also sensitive. Water, agitation, heat or strong detergent can crush the pile, change texture, flatten nap, or even cause marks.
So for cotton velvet:
We recommend professional dry-cleaning only.
If you must attempt home-cleaning (only for very minor dust or surface dirt): use minimal moisture, never soak or drench, and avoid direct heat or tumble-drying. Always test on a hidden spot first.
To refresh the texture after cleaning — or if the pile looks flattened — use a soft-bristle brush or a uplift with a steamer (holding the steamer at a safe distance, never touching the velvet directly) to gently raise the nap.
Cleaning Hacks and Gentle Maintenance
Here are some extra ideas and gentle “hacks” for fabric-upholstery care that either we love — or are trending for good reason:
The “Saucepan Lid + Microfibre Cloth” trick — we love this viral cleaning-hack by Purdy & Figg. Wrap a clean microfibre cloth around a saucepan lid to create a flat, disc-like “pad.” Sweep over linen upholstery surfaces to lift dust, lighten wear, and refresh the fabric. Great for large sofas or cushions.
Regular vacuum or soft-brush dusting — especially helpful for velvet. Use a soft-bristle brush attachment, and move gently in the direction of the nap to avoid damaging the pile. Weekly or biweekly works well.
Spot-blotting for spills — for small liquid spills (water, tea, etc.), caretaking can help: blot with a dry white cloth, then dab with a lightly damp cloth if needed — especially on linen. Never rub. For velvet: blot gently, then let air-dry, and later brush pile back into place.
Mind the environment — avoid placing sofas in direct sunlight (which can fade linen or velvet), and avoid damp floors to protect your timber frame.
See also: How to Keep Your Sofa Looking Schplendid - A Guide to Regular Sofa Care
When to Call in the Professionals (i.e. Guardsman)
Because your Schplendid sofa is made from natural, uncoated fabrics – and because accidents happen – there’s no shame in calling in the heavy artillery.
If you have:
Large stains (wine, curry, oily food, ink, paint, makeup, pet accidents)
Deep spills or set-in stains
Damage to stitching, seams, zips, cushion form
Concern about shrinkage, colour change, or pile damage
Then it’s time to make use of your Guardsman protection plan. Their technicians are specialists — trained to work with delicate natural upholstery, and have the tools and gentle methods to restore or replace where needed. This is exactly what the coverage is for.
Tip: Add Guardsman protection (£30 per seat for 5 years cover) — it’s the easiest way to sleep easy, especially with kids, pets, or a busy household.
A little care, a bit of gentle cleaning and, when needed, a call to the professionals is all it takes to keep your sofas looking and feeling schplendid.
See also:
Sofa Care: How to Deal with Stains and Spills
How to Keep Your Sofa Looking Schplendid - A Guide to Regular Sofa Care
And read all our care guides here.