An Afghan toshak is made to be lived on — lounged across during family evenings, pulled out for guests, and gathered around at celebrations. With a little routine care, the velvet-touch covers stay soft and the foam fillers stay full and supportive for years. Here's a practical, no-nonsense guide to keeping your toshak fresh and guest-ready.
First, Let the Foam Fully Expand
Brand-new toshak foam arrives compressed for shipping, so the very first step is patience. After unboxing:
- Lay the foam filler flat in the room where you'll use it
- Give it about one day to fully expand and reach its proper loft
- For the pillows, simply unwrap, give them a good shake, and allow about a day to plump back to full shape
Don't judge the comfort or thickness until the foam has had this time to breathe — it will feel noticeably fuller once expanded. New to toshak floor cushions? See our overview of what an Afghan toshak is.
Washing the Velvet-Touch Covers
The covers are removable, which makes the toshak easy to keep clean. To protect the soft velvet nap:
- Remove the cover from the foam before washing
- Wash on a cold, gentle cycle — heat is the enemy of velvet
- Turn the cover inside out to protect the pile
- Use a mild detergent; skip bleach and fabric softener
- Air-dry flat or on a line. Avoid high-heat tumble drying, which can crush the nap and flatten that velvet-touch feel
Once dry, the cover slips right back onto the fully expanded foam.
Spot-Cleaning Between Washes
For everyday spills, act quickly and gently:
- Blot — never rub — with a clean, slightly damp cloth
- Use cool water and a touch of mild soap for stubborn spots
- Work from the outside of the spot inward to avoid spreading
- Let the area air-dry completely before using the cushion again
Frequent, gentle spot-cleaning means fewer full washes and longer-lasting covers.
Fluffing & Refreshing
To keep cushions and pillows looking full and inviting, give them a regular fluff — squeeze, shake, and pat the foam and pillows back into shape, especially before guests arrive. Rotating which sections get the most use also helps the foam wear evenly over time.
Storage & Keeping Covers Fresh
If you store a toshak seasonally:
- Make sure covers and foam are completely dry before storing to prevent odors
- Store the foam flat or loosely rolled — avoid tight, long-term compression
- Keep everything in a cool, dry place away from direct sun, which can fade fabric
- A freshly washed cover before storage means it's ready to go when you bring it back out
With covers this easy to refresh, your toshak stays ready for hosting. If you'd like to pair it with floor seating for guests, explore our Arabic majlis sets, or ground the seating over a beautiful area rug or Oriental rug.
When to Replace vs. Refresh
Velvet-touch covers can be swapped on their own if you'd like a new color or your originals have seen years of love — the foam underneath often has plenty of life left. We offer toshak as complete sets (cushion plus two pillows) or as cover-only, so you can refresh without replacing everything. Browse the full Afghan toshak collection to see your options.
Questions about caring for your toshak or choosing covers? Visit Stylish Rugs & Carpets at 3423 Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA, open daily 10 AM–7:30 PM, or call (916) 890-4077. We ship free across the USA and Canada, carry a 4.9★ Google rating with 185 five-star reviews, and are happy to help through our contact page.