How to wash and care for an ironing board cover

Can you wash an ironing board cover?

Yes. The ROBINAZ 4-layer cover is machine washable at 30°C on a gentle cycle. Cotton covers with felt or foam padding are made to be washed at home; only covers with a plastic-coated top should be sponged clean instead.

Take the cover off the board before washing. Loosen the two underboard straps and the drawcord, ease the elasticated edge back over the board and lift the nose pocket off the tip. Shake the cover out to remove loose fluff and check it for marks before it goes in the machine.

How do I wash the cover without damaging it?

Pre-treat any marks with a little washing-up liquid, then machine wash at 30°C on a gentle or delicates cycle with a mild non-biological detergent. Leave out fabric softener, as it can leave a residue that transfers to clothes when you iron.

A gentle cycle protects the padding layers and the elastic edge. Higher temperatures and fast spins put more strain on both. Wash the cover on its own or with similar light items so it has room to move in the drum and rinses cleanly.

Can I tumble dry an ironing board cover?

No. Tumble drying can shrink the padding and distort the elasticated edge. Hang the cover up to air dry instead, away from direct heat, and refit it once it is dry or still very slightly damp.

Refitting a cover while it is still a little damp can help it settle smoothly as it finishes drying on the board. To refit, lay the cover face down, place the board on top, pull the elasticated edge around it, then tighten the drawcord and the two underboard straps until the cover sits flat.

How often should I wash the cover?

Wash it when it becomes marked, at 30°C on a gentle cycle, and air dry it. If you use starch or spray-on ironing water, residue builds up faster, so you may need to wash it more often.

Between washes, keep the surface clean by letting the iron cool on its heel rather than face down on the cover, and by wiping up spills of ironing water. Before every session, check the cover lies flat with no wrinkles, as creases in the cover can mark the garment.

When should I replace an ironing board cover?

Replace it when washing no longer restores it: when the surface has become shiny, has scorch marks that will not lift, or the elastic edge has gone loose and no longer grips the board.

When that time comes, the ROBINAZ 4-layer ironing board cover fits UK boards of 125 × 45 cm and 122 × 38 cm. Measure your board first using our size guide.