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Yoga bolster covers: how to find one that fits and keep it clean
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- Replacement cover from your bolster's maker. Best for: Anyone whose bolster has a zip-off cover. See options on Amazon
- Cotton rectangular bolster cover with zip. Best for: Standard rectangular bolsters and frequent washing. See options on Amazon
- Microfiber bolster cover. Best for: A soft feel and quick drying. See options on Amazon
- Bolster with a removable, washable cover. Best for: People whose current bolster cover cannot come off. See options on Amazon
Two kinds of bolster: fixed cover or removable cover
Before buying a spare cover, find out which kind you have.
- Fixed, structural covers. Hugger Mugger does not recommend removing the cover on its standard bolster, explaining that the tight fit is essential to the support the bolster provides. Its care advice is spot clean or dry clean only. For a bolster like this, a separate slip-on cover is the only way to add a washable layer.
- Removable covers. Brow Farm's buckwheat bolster has an outer cover that comes off through a full-length zip and is machine washable, with the hulls held in a separate inner case. Manduka gives separate care instructions for its bolster cover and the inner cushion.
If there is no zip and the care label says spot clean or dry clean, assume the cover should stay on.
Getting the fit right
- Match the shape. Rectangular, round and pranayama (slim) bolsters each need their own cover. A rectangular cover will bag around a round bolster.
- Measure length, width and height. Use a soft tape on the filled bolster. For a round bolster, measure length and diameter.
- Compare with the maker's sizes. For example, Hugger Mugger lists its standard bolster at 11 x 25 x 6 inches and Manduka lists its rectangular bolster at 28 x 11.75 x 5 inches. Those differences are big enough that covers are rarely interchangeable.
- Prefer the same maker. A replacement made for your model is the surest fit. Brow Farm, for instance, sells covers for its small or travel buckwheat bolsters, listed at approximately 52 x 18 cm.
- Snug, not loose. A loose cover wrinkles under you and shifts in long holds.
Fabrics and features compared
| Feature | Options | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Cotton, organic cotton, microfiber | Cotton breathes and washes well; microfiber feels soft and resists wrinkles |
| Zip placement | Underside, end, full length | Brow Farm's small cover zips along the underside, so the zip stays away from your skin |
| Handle | One end or both | Makes a heavy bolster easier to carry and position |
| Washing | Warm or cold machine wash | Brow Farm lists 40°C for its cotton cover; Manduka says machine wash cold for its microfiber cover |
How to wash a bolster cover
- Follow the label first. Care differs by fabric and maker.
- Microfiber covers: Manduka's instructions are machine wash cold, hang dry, and do not use fabric softeners.
- Cotton covers: Brow Farm lists its cotton cover as machine washable at 40°C.
- Close the zip before washing so it does not snag the fabric.
- Put it back on fully dry. A damp cover traps moisture against the fill, especially natural fills like cotton or buckwheat.
- Inner cushion: Manduka says to spot clean the inner cushion and air dry it before storage. Do not wash buckwheat hulls; see buckwheat yoga bolster.
When a new cover is worth it, and when to replace the bolster
A spare cover makes sense if you share bolsters, practice in a hot room, sweat heavily, or teach and want a clean cover for each class. It also refreshes a bolster whose cover has faded or torn while the fill is still firm.
If the bolster itself has gone soft and no longer holds its height, a new cover will not fix that. Look at a new bolster instead; our yoga bolster guide covers what to check. If you use other covered sleep or comfort products, the same logic applies to our wedge pillow cover guide.
What to look for when you buy
Replacement cover from your bolster's maker
Best for: Anyone whose bolster has a zip-off cover
A cover cut for the same model fits snugly. Brow Farm, for example, sells replacement covers for its small buckwheat bolsters at approximately 52 x 18 cm, in cotton with a zip on the underside.
Watch out: Check the exact model and size; covers between brands rarely match.
See options on AmazonCotton rectangular bolster cover with zip
Best for: Standard rectangular bolsters and frequent washing
Cotton breathes and handles regular washing; Brow Farm lists its cotton cover as machine washable at 40°C.
Watch out: Cotton can shrink in a hot wash or dryer; follow the label.
See options on AmazonMicrofiber bolster cover
Best for: A soft feel and quick drying
Manduka's care for its microfiber bolster cover is machine wash cold and hang dry, with no fabric softener.
Watch out: Can feel warmer than cotton in a hot room.
See options on AmazonBolster with a removable, washable cover
Best for: People whose current bolster cover cannot come off
Some makers, such as Hugger Mugger, say not to remove their bolster covers. If washability matters, a bolster designed with a zip-off cover is the simpler fix.
Watch out: Means buying a whole bolster, not just a cover.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can you wash a yoga bolster cover?
- Many can be machine washed; check the label. Some bolsters, such as Hugger Mugger's, have covers that are spot clean or dry clean only and are not meant to come off.
- Can I take the cover off my yoga bolster?
- Only if it is designed to come off, usually with a zip. Hugger Mugger says its tight cover is essential to the bolster's support.
- How do I find the right size bolster cover?
- Measure the filled bolster's length, width and height (or diameter if round) and compare with the cover's listed size. A cover from the same maker and model fits best.
- Should I use fabric softener on a bolster cover?
- Manduka says not to use fabric softener on its microfiber cover. Check your own cover's label.
Sources
- Standard Yoga Bolster (huggermugger.com), Hugger Mugger
- Equa Rectangular Bolster (manduka.com), Manduka
- Small/Travel Yoga Bolster Replacement Covers (browfarm.co.uk), Brow Farm
- Buckwheat Yoga Bolster (browfarm.co.uk), Brow Farm
- Yoga: Effectiveness and Safety (nccih.nih.gov), NIH / NCCIH