Care instructions verified 2026-10-07 against Supracor's official Product Care page for Stimulite honeycomb; machine-washable/dryer-safe status cross-checked against a UK dealer product page. This guide paraphrases the manufacturer's instructions; always follow the care label on your specific cushion.
Why honeycomb cushions need different care
A Stimulite cushion is not foam, gel or air — it is a fused thermoplastic honeycomb whose open cells distribute weight and let air circulate. That structure is what makes it washable in the first place: unlike foam, it does not absorb water into a core that then takes days to dry, and unlike air cushions it has no bladder to puncture. But the same structure is vulnerable to the wrong treatment. Chlorine bleach attacks the cell walls, high heat softens and deforms them, and an agitator-type top-loading washer can tear the honeycomb. The perforations that keep skin ventilated also trap grit and hair, which is why the manufacturer supplies a mesh laundry bag with every cushion — it keeps the honeycomb from snagging during the wash. Understanding that you are caring for a flexible plastic lattice, not a sponge, explains every step that follows.
The official washing routine, step by step
Supracor's product-care instructions are specific, and they are worth following exactly. First, remove the cover and wash the honeycomb and the cover separately — the cover can handle a normal load, the honeycomb cannot. Second, place the honeycomb in its mesh laundry bag. Third, machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, using only about one tablespoon of mild detergent; more detergent does not mean cleaner, it means residue trapped in the cells. Fourth, never use chlorine bleach under any circumstances. Fifth, use a front-loading washer only — the central agitator in a top-loader can damage the honeycomb. After the wash, shake the honeycomb to throw off excess water, then either let it air dry or tumble dry on low heat. Do not dry it together with wet clothes: the retained heat can damage the cells. That is the whole routine, and it applies to the full Stimulite range, from the Slimline and Classic to the Contoured models.
Mistakes to avoid and when to replace
The most common errors are all shortcuts around the routine above: hot water, a full cap of detergent, bleach for stains, and the dryer on high because you need the cushion back quickly. Each one shortens the cushion's life. A subtler mistake is never washing it at all — body oils, sweat and grit accumulate in the cells, and a dirty honeycomb loses both hygiene and airflow. Wash on a regular schedule that matches your use; weekly is reasonable for a daily-use cushion. Inspect the cushion each time you wash it: look for cells that stay compressed and do not spring back, cracks in the fused layers, or a cover whose seams are failing. A cushion that has lost its rebound or shows structural damage is not protecting you the way it should — take it to your seating clinician or supplier for assessment rather than continuing to use it. And keep the mesh laundry bag: it is the cheapest piece of the system and the easiest to lose.
