Yes, the cover comes off for washing and in my opinion, I think you do need a cover for the stairs, otherwise they will get really dirty and I don't think there would be any way to clean the foam (although, I might be wrong). Anyway, i have the foam stairs with the cover and Rowdy loves them. I also have 2 sets of stairs that are snap together plastic with a cover. They are both really nice, but the foam are good for not hurting you when you kick them
