How to care for your covers

Wash consciously 

Your cover doesn’t need constant washing, just the right kind. Here are some guidelines to follow: 

• Read the label: Every fabric has its own personality and washing needs, so check the care label inside your cover before washing. 

• Spot clean when possible: Tackle stains as they happen. Machine washing wears down fibres which can make the fabric become thinner and delicate over time. 

• Close zips and buttons: This protects the cover and your machine. 

• Use mild, bleach-free liquid detergent: Harsh chemicals damage both fibres and colour. 

• Avoid fabric softener: It leaves residue and alters the texture. 

• Don’t overload the machine: Give your cover room to move. 

• Keep settings consistent: If you’re washing multiple covers, run them all on the same cycle. 

• Spin gently: End each wash with a low spin cycle. 

• Always air dry: Avoid tumble dryers or direct heat. Lay washed covers flat or line dry at room temperature.  

Pro tip!  

Dust can do more damage to fabric than you may think. Regularly vacuuming furniture between washes can make your covers last longer.  

Handle stains with care 

Over time, life leaves its mark. But you can prevent most stains from becoming permanent by acting fast.

Treating stain-resistant fabrics: 

These fabrics are designed to repel everyday oil and water-based spills, giving you time to treat the fabric before the liquid seeps in. 

• Dab with warm, soapy water and a white microfibre cloth. 

• Use mild soap — no bleach or detergents with bleach. 

• Brush off any dry spills. 

Treating untreated fabrics: 

These fabrics have a more natural texture, which makes them a little more vulnerable to spills. 

• Use warm, soapy water immediately. 

• Dab with a white cloth or apply a stain remover gently before blotting. 

• Never use bleach or harsh agents. 

Pro tip!  

If your cover is stain-protected, ironing it inside out can help reactivate that protective treatment.  

Iron to hold shape 

Not all Bemz fabrics are iron-friendly, so check the care label before you do. For fabrics that are, ironing can help them hold their shape and smooth out creases after washing. Here are some tips: 

• Always iron inside out. 

• Use high heat for natural fibres like cotton and linen. 

• Never iron velvet – instead hang it to dry flat and wrinkle-free. 

• Avoid reinforced backings – they can warp with heat. 

Small changes are natural 

Natural fibres may shrink slightly after the first wash. This is normal. To help your cover bounce back: 

• Put it back on while still damp – it will reshape as it dries. 

• Steam or iron after washing (except velvet). 

Fabric care made simple 

As different fabrics behave differently when being washed, each is rigorously tested to establish the best care instructions.  

Here’s how to make sense of the icons on the labels and give your covers the care they deserve.  

Care symbol glossary 

Machine Wash 

Tub symbol = machine washable 

• 30°–60° = max temperature 

• 1 bar = reduced spin 

• 2 bars = gentle cycle 

• No bar = regular wash and spin 

• X (over the symbol) = do not machine wash 

Hand Wash 

Tub with hand = hand wash only or use delicate 30°C cycle with 400 rpm max 

• Best for delicate fibres like wool or silk 

• Twisted symbol = can be wrung 

• X over twist = do not wring 

Ironing 

 Iron symbol = safe to iron 

• 1 dot = low heat (for delicate fibres) 

• 2 dots = medium heat (for synthetics) 

• 3 dots = high heat (for cotton or linen) 

• X = do not iron 

Fibres react differently to heat. Always iron inside out, and avoid heat on reinforced backing fabrics or velvet. 

Dry Cleaning  

Circle symbol = dry clean allowed 

• If it’s the only symbol on the label = Dry clean only 

• If shown with other wash symbols = Dry clean is an option 

• Letter inside the circle = tells your cleaner what chemical to use 

• Bar(s) under the circle = more delicate process required 

• X = do not dry clean 

If in doubt, ask your local cleaner to follow the instructions precisely. 

Drying 

Square = how to dry your fabric 

• Circle inside a square = tumble dry allowed 

• Dots = tumble temp 

• 1 dot = low 

• 2 dots = medium 

• 3 dots = high 

• X = do not tumble dry 

• Lines inside a square = air dry (e.g. flat dry, line dry, shade dry) 

Avoid high heat wherever possible. Natural fibres prefer gentler drying methods. 

Bleaching 

Triangle symbol = bleach guidance 

• Empty triangle = safe to bleach (rare for Bemz products) 

• Lines/letters inside = specific bleach types 

• X over triangle = do not bleach 

Bleach isn’t good for your fabrics or the environment. Always use bleach-free, liquid detergents with no optical brighteners. 

Pro tip!  

Even eco-labelled detergents can contain bleaching agents. Always double check the label.