I took the cover off for the first time yesterday to hand wash it and it was FINE. I put it in the washer to spin it out for 30 sec. I didn't notice anything wrong when I took it out of the washer....I hung it over a patio chair to dry and 2 hrs later the side (head wing area)was ripped. I am so mad. How did it happen? I didn't catch it on anything- my washer has never ripped anyhing before and no one touched it and now it has a gaping gash about 8" long. So I ordered a Princess cover which will take a while to ship and and velcroed the gash closed.....BTW, I am almost a FANATIC!!!!!!!(finally!)