Cushion Care Guide
Caring for a custom cushion comes down to three habits: blot spills on the cover straight away, clean the cover the way its fabric's care note says, and keep the foam core dry. Foamera's care advice is to clean the foam core by hand only, never in a washing machine or tumble dryer, and to let it air-dry completely before the cover goes back on.
| Part | Machine wash? | Tumble dry? | Bleach? | How to clean it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removable cover (zip closure) | Only if the fabric's care note allows it | No: air-dry or line-dry | Only as the care label allows | Unzip, then wash or spot-clean as the fabric's care note says; air-dry |
| Cover sewn closed | No | No | Only as the care label allows | Spot-clean on the cushion, following the fabric's cleaning code (W, S, WS or X) |
| Foam core | No | No | No | Spot-clean with mild soap and water, press the water out, air-dry fully away from heaters and open flames |
How do I clean the foam inside a cushion?
Take the foam core out of its cover and spot-clean it by hand with mild soap and water. Do not put the foam core in a washing machine or a tumble dryer.
Press the water out with your hands, stand the foam on its edge and let it air-dry completely, inside and out, before it goes back into the cover. Keep drying foam away from heaters, fireplaces and bare light bulbs: the Polyurethane Foam Association says foam should be kept away from heating equipment and other ignition sources.
Can I machine-wash or tumble-dry the covers?
It depends on the fabric. Care notes differ from one Foamera product to another, and some covers can be machine-washed on a cold, gentle cycle. Check the care note on the product page or the care label before you wash.
Do not tumble-dry a cover: heat can shrink it so it no longer fits the foam. Line-dry or air-dry it instead.
Can I use bleach on cushion covers?
Use bleach only when the fabric's care label allows it. For clothing, the US Federal Trade Commission's care labeling rule sets the wording: "Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed" when chlorine bleach would harm the fabric, and "No bleach" or "Do not bleach" when every bleach would harm it. For mildew on coloured fabric, oxygen (non-chlorine) bleach is the gentler choice; do not use chlorine bleach unless the fabric maker says the fabric is bleach-safe.
What do the cleaning codes W, S, WS and X mean?
A cleaning code is a letter on an upholstery fabric that says which cleaner the fabric can take. The Association for Contract Textiles lists four codes, and for codes W, S and WS it says to pre-test a small, hidden area first and to blot spills immediately, working from the outside of the stain towards the middle.
| Code | What it allows |
|---|---|
| W | Spot-clean with a water-based upholstery shampoo or foam cleaner; do not over-wet |
| S | Spot-clean with a water-free cleaning solvent only; no water |
| WS | Spot-clean with upholstery shampoo, mild detergent foam or a mild solvent |
| X | Vacuum or brush only; no water-based or solvent cleaner |
How do I get the foam back into the cover?
- Open the zip fully.
- Wrap the foam loosely in a thin plastic film and hold a vacuum-cleaner hose against the foam inside the film. The suction pulls the air out and the foam shrinks.
- Switch the vacuum off. The foam stays compressed for a minute or so, which gives you time to slide it into the cover before it expands.
- Pull the film out before you close the zip if the core is a quick-dry foam, which is meant to let water drain through.
The film method is described by the upholstery supplier Sailrite; a zip makes the job much easier than a cover that is sewn closed.
How do I fluff or firm up a flattened cushion?
Take the cover off and let the foam rest so it can recover its shape, then plump it and rotate or swap cushions. If the foam stays flat, it has lost its support and needs replacing.
Foamera makes each cushion to the size you enter, with the foam inside a cover in the fabric you choose; the cushion inserts collection lists the shapes. For foam without a cover, email hello@foamera.com before you order.
Where can I find more care guides?
- How to clean outdoor cushions — mildew, spills and drying
- How to store outdoor cushions over winter
- How to recover cushions — a new cover for foam you already have
- Fabric library — indoor and outdoor fabrics, and swatches
- Custom bench cushions
- Custom patio cushions
How we know
Care and ordering details on this page come from Foamera's own product pages and care notes. General cleaning facts are linked to the organisations that publish them:
- Association for Contract Textiles, "Cleaning Resources & Considerations" (appendix: cleaning codes W, S, WS, X) (accessed September 26, 2026)
- US Federal Trade Commission, "Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule" (accessed September 26, 2026)
- Polyurethane Foam Association, InTouch bulletin "Proper Handling and Storage of Flexible Polyurethane Foam" (accessed September 26, 2026)
- Sailrite, "Using Silk Film to Shrink Foam" (accessed September 26, 2026)
CARE ROUTINE
What should I do, and avoid, when cleaning cushions?
Brush, blot and air-dry: most cushion problems are solved by those three steps done early. The lists below sum up the guide above.
Do
- Brush or vacuum before any wet cleaning.
- Blot spills immediately with a clean lint-free cloth.
- Test any new cleaner on a hidden seam first.
- Clean the whole panel, seam to seam, to avoid water rings.
- Plump, rotate and swap cushion positions weekly.
- Dry everything completely before storage or reuse.
Don't
- Never machine-dry outdoor or velvet covers.
- No pressure washers on covers or foam.
- Skip fabric softeners and scented detergents.
- Avoid rubbing in circles - it spreads and sets stains.
- Don't store cushions damp or sealed in plastic.
- Keep foam away from heaters, fireplaces and open flames.
OVER TIME
How do I keep cushions in shape over time?
Care routine
- WeeklyPlump, rotate and swap cushions.
- Twice a yearDeep-clean the covers as their care note allows and air the foam in indirect light.
- Foam stays flatReplace the insert with a new cushion made to the same size.
- After rainStand cushions on edge to dry and keep them off damp ground.
- Off-seasonStore dry in breathable bags, never sealed plastic, never on concrete.
NEED HELP?
Send us a photo of the spot.
Tell us the fabric and what caused the mark, and we'll suggest the safest way to lift it.