...like the title says: can a car cover be cleaned? I have an indoor, BMW car cover that's quite dirty in the wheel and front end areas. Does anyone know if these can be dry cleaned or something?

Car covers can be laundered in a washing machine, or an industrial washing machine. The particulars of how and with what type of cleaner depends on the material and water resistance treatment it may have.

Evolution 4 covers used to reccommend washing in a commercial washer with a bottle of "Fantastik" surface cleaner. I have also just put the cover on the car, spot scrubbed it with liquid detergent and sprayed it of with a hose with good results.

If it's a coated cover then I wouldn't do anything other then hose it off on the car then take it off and let it air dry (and of course wash the car). If it's not coated then you can run it through the washing machine but I would use a front loading machine because there is a good chance the agitator on a standard machine could destroy the cover.

I don't think it's coated. It's a cottony feeling one. Maybe I should visit my dealer and see if there are care instructions on the box it comes in.

If it says anything about 3 or 4 layer then it is coated if not it is probably not. If you can check out the box it will tell you for sure. If it was designed for indoor use then it probably isn't coated.

After washing, should spray exterior of car cover with some type of Scotchguard protectant.