There’s nothing like the allure of bright white slipcovers to make you feel like your home might be one of those dreamy Pinterest-worthy spaces. When we first got our Ikea Ektorp sofa sectional, I was determined to join the ranks of bloggers singing the praises of white slipcovers. But let me tell you, what followed was a comedy of errors I’ll never forget.
If you’ve ever considered white slipcovers—or are trying to keep an Ikea Ektorp sofa in good shape now that it’s been discontinued—you might want to check out my post on Ikea Ektorp Sofa Care: Prolong the Life of a DiscontinuedFavorite.
It’s Really Just a Funny Story
So, you know all those pretty blogger houses with bright white slip-covered couches and chairs?
And how every.single.one of them insists the slipcovers are so easy to clean – just pop them off, throw them in the wash and all is well?
Lies.
Lies, I tell you!
Okay maybe I’m over exaggerating. Being a little dramatic.
But in the month or so that we had white slipcovers on our Ikea Ektorp sofa sectional, my experience was the complete opposite of (seemingly) everyone else on the internet.
The edges got grungy.
The dog – despite having his paws thoroughly wiped when he came inside – somehow managed to get dirty paw prints on at least three cushions.
And the dust and hairs! Ugh.
Not to mention that everyone was terrified to get the couch dirty for fear of mommy’s wrath.
And then…and then…I decided to wash the slipcovers.
Oh. Em. Gee.
The Ektorp sectional is um, large. So it took three loads in the washer.
Fair enough. Our washer isn’t huge.
But did you know you’re not supposed to dry the slipcovers? Apparently they might shrink.
What the heck?!
I don’t have the space or time to wait for the covers to drip dry!
So I put them on air dry in the dryer – no heat.
Which worked – except I’m pretty sure it took about as long as letting them drip dry would have.
Oh and did I mention that I broke the washer in this “oh so easy” process?!
Even with separating the covers into three loads, the washer just couldn’t handle it.
Which meant it then decided it should seek revenge – and get lovely black grease marks on every single slip cover!
Which is exactly when I gave up on the white slipcovers and went straight to Ikea to buy dark grey ones instead.
Which everyone likes better anyway.
(We later bough the Nordvalla Beige ones at our next house.)
Since switching to dark grey (and now beige!) covers, I’ve found a happy balance between style and practicality. But I know questions come up when considering slipcovered furniture, so I’ve gathered some FAQs to help you decide if the Ektorp might be a good fit for your home—even though the line has been discontinued.
FAQs
Yes! They’re machine washable, though care instructions recommend avoiding the dryer to prevent shrinkage.
White slipcovers can be prone to visible stains, especially in homes with kids or pets. Regular washing or opting for darker covers can help.
Although Ikea no longer sells the Ektorp line, third-party sellers still offer replacement slipcovers in a variety of colors and fabrics. Sites like Etsy or specialty retailers are great places to check.
White slipcovers may look like a dream, but living with them? That’s another story. Whether you’re team white, grey, or beige, the key is finding what works best for your home and your lifestyle. Even though the Ektorp is discontinued, it’s slipcovers are still a practical way to refresh your furniture’s still a popular line to buy second-hand—or give you some funny stories to tell along the way! 😊
(P.S. I personally know several bloggers who have and truly love their white slipcovers. I bow to their cleaning awesomeness! Seriously. I have no idea how they do it.)
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