Ironing board cover and padding: do you need separate padding?

Many people shopping for an ironing board cover also look for separate padding, because an old cover often feels flat and hard. Whether you need separate padding depends on the cover itself. The ROBINAZ cover has four built-in layers, so it is designed to be used on its own. This guide explains what padding does and how to check your own setup.

Do you need separate padding under an ironing board cover?

Not with a cover that already has padding built in. The ROBINAZ cover has four layers — a cotton top, felt, foam and a non-slip backing — giving roughly 6–7 mm of padding, so it is fitted straight onto the board without a separate underlay.

Separate padding is usually sold for thin, single-layer covers. If a cover is little more than fabric, an extra pad underneath adds the cushioning the cover lacks. When the padding is part of the cover, adding another layer underneath is not needed and can make the cover harder to pull taut.

What does each layer in the ROBINAZ cover do?

Each layer has its own job. The cotton top is the surface your garment lies on; it is 100% natural cotton with no chemical coating. The felt and foam layers sit underneath and provide the cushioning. The non-slip backing sits against the board and helps the cover stay where you put it.

For a closer look at how layered and thin covers compare, read padded vs thin ironing board covers.

How do I know if my current padding is worn out?

Look and feel. A worn setup feels hard under the iron, shows the board's shape through the fabric, or has a surface that has gone shiny, marked or loose at the edges. If the elastic no longer holds the cover tight, wrinkles form, and creases in the cover can mark the garment.

If you see these signs, replacing the whole cover is often simpler than adding a separate pad, because you renew the surface and the cushioning at the same time.

Will a padded cover fit my board?

Measure first. Take the length from the pointed nose to the flat end and the width across the widest point. The ROBINAZ cover is listed for UK boards of 125 × 45 cm and 122 × 38 cm.

See the pages for ironing board covers 125 x 45 cm and ironing board covers 122 x 38 cm, or compare both in the size guide. If your board measures something else, check before you buy.

How do I fit a padded cover so it lies flat?

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 it sits flat. Start with the nose pocket over the pointed end so the cover is anchored.

Check the surface for ripples before you start ironing, and re-tighten the drawcord after the first session as the layers settle.

How should I wash a cover with built-in padding?

Machine wash the ROBINAZ cover at 30°C on a gentle cycle and air dry it. Do not tumble dry, as heat can shrink the padding and distort the elastic edge. Our guide on how to wash and care for an ironing board cover covers this step by step.

Where can I buy the ROBINAZ cover?

The cover is sold and delivered by Amazon UK, and returns are accepted within 30 days through Amazon UK. See the full ROBINAZ padded ironing board cover details for materials and fit.