Share This Story
I’ll never forget the day I spilled a glass of red wine on my bouclé sofa. The irony is that I’d done everything I could to keep my toddler away from it, and in the end it was me who couldn’t be trusted. I tried everything I could to get the stain out but nothing worked, and although I ended up covering it with a throw, just knowing it was there haunted me.
Whether you’ve got kids, pets, or are simply just as clumsy as I am, choosing a sofa with washable covers is a smart idea that’ll save you from going through the same thing I had to.
Even though performance fabrics are a good alternative, they don’t compare to being able to machine wash your covers to get a full deep clean that removes the dirt, deep stains and odors that spot cleaning can’t.
I spent months researching to find the best sofas with washable covers, testing fabric samples against stains and washing them repeatedly to see how well they came out, while keeping track of any fading.
How We Chose
We chose the best sofas with washable covers by narrowing down the best options on the market based on fabric durability, wash performance and practicality. We then spent months testing the fabric samples of our top picks against stains, shrinking and fading while gathering long-term feedback from our readers who have lived with these sofas for long enough to understand how they perform.
Top Picks
Best Overall: Albany Park Kova
The Kova earns the top spot because of how well it covers all bases when it comes to durability. The seat and back cushions are removable and machine-washable, and you can choose from their range of performance fabrics that are designed to survive heavy daily use.
It also has a solid construction, with a sturdy frame made from durable contract-grade wood, a high performance suspension system and hypoallergenic cushions that are soft but structured.
To buy replacement covers you have to contact their customer service, because they don't sell them directly on their website. I ordered a fabric sample in their 'bone' color that's close to a light gray, so it would be easier to see how well stains came out. Over a 6 month period, I tested the sample against wine, juice, coffee and more, and every time I washed it, it came out looking brand new with no fading.
Best for: Busy households or families with kids and pets; renters
Worth knowing: This sofa has an extra deep frame and sink-in cushions that are best suited to lounging
Best for Families: Cozey Atmosphere
The Atmosphere is Cozey’s most family friendly couch and it’s not hard to see why. It has built-in storage under the seats, providing space to stash any blankets, toys or remotes and the clean silhouette, modular design, and high-density foam construction makes it feel as good as it looks.
I combed through online reviews where it’s consistently described as comfortable and sturdy, which I can confirm to be true after trying it out in Cozey’s SoHo showroom. I also spoke to of our readers who owns the Atmosphere. Even with three kids, a dog, and a cat that likes to scratch, they mentioned that it's easy to maintain and despite multiple accidents and several washes over the space of a year, it still looks like new.
The Chenille fabric is recommended above the performance fabrics and after feeling the performance fabrics in store, the Chenille feels more sturdy and plush in comparison. You should note that the sofa sections are free standing and don’t connect, and although they have rubber pads on the bottoms to securely keep the sections in place, they tend to sometimes move apart. If this could be an issue for you, you can get some 3D printed connectors here (not sold by Cozey).
Best for: Families with young children or pets who want a sofa they can wash, with the added practical benefit of built-in storage
Worth knowing: Mixed reviews on shipping times with some people mentioning that their order had been delayed several times
Best Comfort: 7th Avenue
The 7th Avenue sofa has memory foam blend cushions and is for people who want extra comfort and a sink-in experience. The covers are removable, water-repellant, stain-resistant and machine washable. They are also free of forever chemicals and microplastics.
It has a solid construction from its solid wood frame, to steel-reinforced legs and structured cushions. One of my favorite things about this couch is that although the standard back cushions are medium-firm, you can choose to take out the fills to make them softer, or use their complimentary fill packets to add more firmness.
I ordered fabric samples and tested them against spills from soup to soda, and then washed them repeatedly over several months. Each time, they came out looking like new.
Best for: People who want sink-in sofa feel that can easily be cleaned and survive heavy daily use
Worth knowing: Some people have struggled with assembly so it may be worth you including assembly in your order depending on
Best Investment: Lovesac Sactionals
Every single cover on the Sactional is fully changeable and machine washable too. Not just the cushions and pillows, but the entire couch. The covers are made from durable synthetics that resist shrinking, fading, and pilling in the wash and there are over 180 fabrics to choose from, meaning that if your style ever changes, you can easily replace your covers.
Assembling this sofa is definitely not a quick job and it comes in so many individual boxes that you can get suck wondering where to start. If you decide to put it together by yourself, start by assembling one part of the couch first and then repeat e.g. if you start with the cushions, then do all the cushions first so that you can find a rhythm.
Best for: People that want a sofa that they don’t have to think about replacing, but can also move and adapt with their lives
Worth knowing: Most of their covers are machine-washable but select velvets are excluded
Best Slipcovered: Pottery Barn York
Pottery Barn’s York Sofa is different to the others on this list because it doesn’t have a modular design and rather than removable cushion covers, it uses a full slipcover that drapes over the entire frame. The slipcover is stylish with a relaxed but tailored fit and you can wash it. Pottery Barn also sells the slipcovers individually which works for when you’re replacing an existing one or just want to refresh the look of your sofa.
It comes in a range of performance fabrics but the Performance Everydaylinen is the most highly recommended. Pottery Barn recommends that you blot spills immediately with a clean, colorfast towel or sponge. When I tried their Performance Everydaylinen, I poured wine on it expecting it to stain, but to my pleasant surprise it just rolled off. Even when I rubbed it in, it still wiped away easily.
Aside from the covers, the sofa itself is well built and has a solid wood frame, sinuous springs and blend down cushions that extend its durability even more.
Best for: People that want a traditional style sofa that’s durable
Worth knowing: Performance Everyday Linen has the strongest track record for durability and you should order fabric swatches before committing
Best Customizable: Interior Define Sloan
The Sloan is the most customizable option on this list – you can choose everything from the size, depth, fabric, leg finish, and cushion fill, and the removable covers can be machine-washed for most of their performance fabric options.
It’s important to note that though all of Interior Define’s cushion and back pillow covers are removable, not all of their fabrics are machine washable, so it’s important to take a look at the cleaning codes for whichever you decide on.
Their performance velvets in particular are known for how durable they are and for anyone that wants a sofa that they can pretty much design to look however they want, while also benefiting from washable covers, then this is for you.
Best for: People who want a sofa they can customize and are willing to wait long lead times for (6-12 weeks for custom orders)
Worth knowing: Not all of the Sloan’s fabrics can be put in the washing machine so look out for the cleaning code to check
When our world experiences profound changes we look to what people have been through in the past. By surveying your competitors, you will not only be able to figure out which audience to target.
