…I managed to pour a beer down the back of the bloody thing.
Having taken the cover off the cushion I see:
IKEA KRAMFORS:
No Wash / No Bleach / Iron Medium / Dryclean / No Tumble Dry
It’s graphite grey thick woven fabric, looks a bit like hessian but contains several different fibres woven together. Having set fire to a few fibres it’s mainly plastic, perhaps polyester or rayon? There is also a section or two that is almost papery, like you’d find in a package for a duvet or something. Looks like it could tear really easily.
Not only is there beer, but there’s many other old sticky-looking splodges like from spilled sugary drinks or something [not me!] The sofa was secondhand and I rather like it, it’s just really really grubby. The white covers inside the grey ones [extra between cushions and fabric] are revolting! really grey and gross.
SO:
Surely I can wash this, by hand, with cold water and a little detergent. Perhaps I should use just a little washing-up liquid or shampoo* not powder in case it attacks the fabric? I would also use squashing, not wringing or twisting – just tread it or press down with my hands in case my weight is too much.
I’m guessing I should then NOT spin it, but soak the water out of the cover using a towel, hang it up for an hour or so and then refit it when it’s just a little tiny bit damp to prevent shrinkage.
I intend to wash not only one cushion cover, but the entire thing to ensure the colour is the same. It doesn’t matter if it gets slightly lighter or something, as long as it’s all the same colour afterwards.
An tips? Help etc etc? Obvs we can’t afford a dryclean or I’d just give it to a pro. It needs cleaning, but if I ruin it I’m in a lot of trouble!
*this is how I handwash my wool jumpers and it works fine. Treading with shampoo and a jolly good rinse.