My couch cushions need to be cleaned can i wash them in the washer?

My couch cushions are a suede like material and they unzip off of the cushion so they can be removed. I was wondering if i could just wash them in the washer and then put them in the drier or hang dry? And should i use fabric softener or no? They are so dirty and beyond the point of spot cleaning....due to the chaos of having kids :) Please help! And what is the best way to freshen up the cushion itself, not the outside but the inside considering i cannot throw the filling in the washer?