Your car cover does the dirty work of protecting your vehicle from dust, bird droppings, tree sap, and weather damage. But who protects the protector? A dirty car cover doesn’t just look bad—it can actually scratch your paintwork and lose its protective qualities. Regular washing keeps your cover functioning properly and extends its lifespan significantly.
Many car owners make the mistake of throwing their cover in the washing machine or scrubbing it too aggressively, only to find it damaged beyond repair. Car covers need gentle care because they’re made from specialised materials designed for specific protective functions. Whether you have a cotton cover for indoor storage or a weatherproof synthetic cover for outdoor use, the right cleaning method makes all the difference.
This guide shows you exactly how to wash car cover without damaging it, how often you should clean it, and what mistakes to avoid. With proper care, your cover will protect your vehicle for years to come.
Table of Contents
Know Your Car Cover Type Before Washing
Car covers come in different materials, and each type needs slightly different care. Cotton and flannel covers used for indoor storage are the most delicate. They provide excellent scratch protection but can shrink or lose their shape if washed incorrectly.
Polyester covers offer middle-ground durability. They’re more resilient than cotton but still need gentle handling. These covers often have multiple layers with different properties, so aggressive washing can separate the layers or damage protective coatings.
Outdoor Weather-Resistant Car Covers
Heavy-duty outdoor car covers made from solution-dyed fabrics are the toughest. They can handle more vigorous cleaning, but even these have limits. The waterproof coatings and UV-resistant treatments can wash away with harsh detergents or hot water.
Check the manufacturer’s label before you start. Most covers have washing instructions sewn into a tag, usually near the mirror pockets. If you’ve lost the instructions, a quick search for your specific cover model online usually turns up the care guidelines.
Hand Washing Car Covers: The Best Method
Hand washing gives you the most control and produces the best results for all cover types. You’ll need a large, clean area like a driveway or lawn, a garden hose with a spray nozzle, mild liquid detergent, and a soft brush or sponge.
Start by laying the cover flat on your driveway or grass. Shake it out first to remove loose dirt and debris. This preliminary step prevents you from grinding particles into the fabric during washing.
The Washing Process
Spray the entire cover with water using your garden hose. Work from one end to the other, making sure you saturate the fabric completely. This initial rinse removes surface dirt and prepares the material for cleaning.
Mix a small amount of mild liquid detergent with water in a bucket. Use about the same amount you’d use for hand-washing delicate clothes—roughly two tablespoons per gallon of water. Avoid regular laundry detergent, which contains brighteners and enzymes that can damage protective coatings.
Apply the soapy water to the cover using a soft sponge or brush. Work in sections, gently scrubbing in circular motions. Pay extra attention to areas that touch your car’s grille, wheels, and exhaust, as these spots collect the most grime.
Tackling Problem Areas
For stubborn stains like bird droppings or tree sap, let the soapy water sit on the spot for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. This soaking time loosens the debris without requiring aggressive scrubbing that could damage the fabric.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water from your hose. This step is more important than you might think—leftover soap attracts dirt and can break down protective coatings over time. Keep rinsing until the water runs completely clear.
Machine Washing (When Appropriate)
Some car covers can go in a washing machine, but many can’t. Only attempt machine washing if the manufacturer explicitly states it’s safe. Even then, you need to take precautions to prevent damage.
Use a large-capacity machine—your cover needs room to move freely. Cramming it into a small machine causes excessive wear and prevents proper cleaning. If your home machine isn’t big enough, head to a laundromat with commercial-size washers.
Proper Machine Settings
Set the machine to a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Hot water shrinks fabrics and damages waterproof coatings. The gentle cycle reduces the mechanical stress on your cover’s materials and stitching.
Add mild liquid detergent in the amount recommended for a small load, even if you’re using a large machine. Too much soap leaves residue that attracts dirt. Never use fabric softener—it coats the fibres and destroys water-repellent properties completely.
Solo Wash Only
Wash the cover by itself without other items. Zippers, buttons, and rough fabrics from other laundry can snag or tear your cover. The cover also needs the full capacity of the machine to clean properly.
Skip the spin cycle if possible, or use the lowest spin speed available. High-speed spinning can stress the seams and stretch the fabric. Instead, let the cover drip-dry for a few minutes in the machine before removing it.
Dealing with Tough Stains
Different stains need different approaches. Bird droppings should be removed as soon as you notice them. Spray the area with water, let it soak for ten minutes, then gently wipe away the residue. The key is patience—never scrub aggressively as this pushes the acidic dropping deeper into the fibres.
Tree sap requires a bit more effort. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and dab the sap gently. The alcohol breaks down the sticky residue without harming most cover materials. Rinse the area thoroughly afterward to remove all traces of alcohol.
Mould and Oil Stains
Mould and mildew spots need immediate attention. Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water and spray the affected area. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush. Vinegar kills mould naturally without the harsh chemicals found in commercial mould removers.
Oil or grease stains respond well to a paste made from baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You may need to repeat this process several times for old, set-in grease stains.
Proper Drying Techniques
Never put your car cover in a dryer, even on low heat. The high temperatures damage protective coatings and can cause shrinkage. Mechanical tumbling also stresses seams and can separate multi-layer covers.
The best drying method is air-drying in the shade. Hang your cover over a fence, clothesline, or deck railing where air can circulate around it. Direct sunlight fades colours and can degrade some synthetic materials, so choose a shaded spot if possible.
Getting it Completely Dry
Make sure the car cover is spread out evenly rather than bunched up. Bunched fabric takes forever to dry and can develop musty odours. Flip the cover over halfway through drying to ensure both sides dry completely.
Drying time varies based on material and weather conditions. Cotton covers typically dry in 4-6 hours on a breezy day. Heavier synthetic covers might need 8-12 hours. Never store a damp cover—trapped moisture causes mould growth and unpleasant smells.
Speeding Up the Process
If you need to speed up drying, set up fans in your garage to increase air circulation. This works well when weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor drying. Just make sure the area is well-ventilated to prevent humidity buildup.
How Often Should You Wash Car Covers
Indoor covers used in clean garages need washing only 2-3 times per year. These covers face minimal exposure to dirt and contaminants, so frequent washing does more harm than good by wearing out the fabric unnecessarily.
Outdoor covers require more frequent cleaning—aim for once a month during periods of regular use. If your car sits outside through pollen season or under trees, you might need to wash the cover every 2-3 weeks to prevent buildup.
Seasonal Considerations
Seasonal storage covers should be cleaned before you put them away for the season. Storing a dirty cover allows stains to set and gives mould a chance to establish. Always wash and dry the cover completely before folding it for storage.
Spot-clean between full washes whenever you notice bird droppings, tree sap, or other substances on the cover. Quick spot treatment prevents permanent staining and extends the time between full washes.
Storage and Maintenance Between Washes
Store your clean, dry cover in the bag it came with or in a breathable storage container. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and create the perfect environment for mould. Canvas or mesh storage bags allow air circulation while protecting the cover from dust.
Fold your cover neatly rather than stuffing it randomly into storage. Proper folding prevents permanent creases and makes the cover easier to put on your car next time. Most covers come with folding instructions that minimize stress on seams.
Location Matters
Keep the storage bag in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Garages, closets, and under-bed storage work well. Avoid damp basements or hot attics, which can damage the fabric even when it’s not in use.
Inspect your cover every few months for signs of wear, tears, or damaged elastic. Catching small problems early allows for simple repairs before they become major issues. Many minor tears can be patched with repair tape designed for outdoor fabrics.
What Products to Avoid
Never use bleach on your car cover. Bleach destroys waterproof coatings, weakens fabric fibres, and causes permanent discoloration. Even diluted bleach causes damage that shortens your cover’s lifespan.
Stay away from harsh detergents designed for heavy-duty cleaning. These products contain enzymes and chemicals that break down the special coatings on car covers. Stick with mild dish soap or detergents specifically made for delicate fabrics.
Common Laundry Products
Fabric softener and dryer sheets are strictly off-limits. They coat fibres with waxy substances that prevent water from beading properly. Once fabric softener builds up on a cover, it’s nearly impossible to remove.
Skip commercial stain removers unless they’re specifically approved for outdoor fabrics. Many stain removers contain chemicals that damage waterproof membranes and UV-resistant treatments. Test any new product on a small, hidden area first.
Conclusion
Washing your car cover properly isn’t complicated, but it does require some care and attention. The gentle approach always wins—hand washing in cool water with mild soap keeps your cover in top condition for years. Regular cleaning prevents damage to both the cover and your car’s finish.
Remember that your car cover is an investment in your vehicle’s protection. Spending an hour or two cleaning it every few months saves you from replacing the cover prematurely or, worse, dealing with paint damage from a dirty cover. The small effort pays off in extended cover life and better protection for your car.
Take care of your cover and it will take care of your vehicle. Clean, inspect, and store it properly, and you’ll get maximum value from this simple but effective piece of car care equipment.