I’d worry about the weight damaging the roller bearings, springs, spin motor, etc of your washer/dryer

Maybe weird but since I worried about my old dryer I just partially filled a bathtub and added detergent. Agitated with a broom stick for awhile, then rinsed.

Air dried outside.

Those are the instructions for mine.

Very carefully.

Mine says no machine wash. I threw it in the bathtub with some detergent and “hand washed” it. Took some effort, but wasn’t as bad as you might think. Let it hang from the shower curtain rod until dry (pointed a fan at it the hasten drying). Nothing I’d do too often.

I’ve never had one so asking others, is there any way a dry cleaner would take it and clean it?

Some have a removable cover that you take off and wash. The ones that don’t I think are generally surface wash only, but all should have a tag with instructions someplace.

I washed mine in a standard washer/dryer for about two years before a pouch tore and it began to leak weighted material. I am still unclear if it was a washer/dryer damage issue or if my new dog with God damn demon nails poked a hole in it. I honestly think it was the dog.

Most should be machine washable in cold water on the gentle/delicate cycle without any addons (no fabric softener, certainly no bleach) before tumble drying on low, which you may need to do twice and could also be where I fucked mine up (I dried it on Hellscape Hawt one time.).

Regarding your mention of an outside or slipcover, mine did not have that. If you do not see an obvious set of snaps or zippers, do not assume that your does either.

With a hose.

We wash it on a delicate cycle with detergent for wool and zero spin. Just drain then let it drip dry on the line outside - and yes, I have no idea what to do once winter lands.