I have one that covers my ironing board and is attached by elastic & clip (you could use the kind that you attach mittens to a kid's coat). I have used steam and also Best Press and don't worry about it (but it's on a regular ironing board, not over plywood). On occasion I take it off and shake it out and basically do like my grandma would have--"beat it" like a rug. When you use steam very much it can take on a wet dog smell, so mine came with a spray bottle and a recipe for a mix of vinegar and baking soda and a suggested a lavendar extract--I'm too lazy to both with that.