In this post: I’m calling foul. I don’t care what anyone says…White Slipcovers are NOT Easy to Keep Clean! And now we have grey ones instead.
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.
And if the grey slipcovers need washing, they’re going to the dry cleaners.
(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.)
Living Room Source List:
- Wall Color – Sherwin Williams Analytical Grey
- Curtains – Ikea
- Flooring – Sandy Hills Hickory “Handscraped” Laminate from Lumber Liquidators
- Area Rug – Moroccan Trellis in Tan from Rugs USA
- Couch – Ektorp Sectional from Ikea
- Pillow Covers – Porter Lane Home on etsy
- Pillow Inserts – FJÄDRAR inner pillow from Ikea
- Grey Plaid Throw – similar here
- Oversized Clock – Fulton St. Wall Clock from Wayfair
- Grey Knit Poufs – Addison Pouf Ottoman in Grey from Wayfair
- Chandelier – Hampton Bay Heritage 6-Light Iron Chandelier from The Home Depot
- Large Square Coffee Table – DIY Brickmaker’s Coffee Table found here
- Large Square Tray – Homesense
- Large Vase – Walmart
- Faux Pink Stems/Flowers – Michael’s
- Electric Fireplace – Canadian Tire
- Corner Floor Lamp – Logan Floor Lamp from Wayfair
- Leaning ladder – DIY Ladder Made with 2”x4”s found here
(Our source list contains affiliate links. That just means that we make a few pennies at no extra cost to you, should you purchase anything via one of the links. Thank you for helping to make this site possible! )
This post made me laugh out loud! I”m *almost* ready to bite the bullet on 2 ektorp sofa’s so I’ve been scouring pinterest for ideas and reviews. The “Not to mention that everyone was terrified to get the couch dirty for fear of mommy’s wrath.”…my life right now! So now that you have grey covers (which is what I plan to buy), do you love it?
We love the grey slipcovers. So much better!
You wash the slipcovers on cold, you then put them on the couch damp. They are dry by morning. Voila
Cold water didn’t clean the white fabric. And for me and my family it was just way too much work and stress. I know that some people are just fine with it!
Hello!! I’ve read several
Reviews that the ektorp are awkwardly shallow seating. I’m. 5’8 and my husband 5’10. We are average size width. What are your thoughts?? I don’t reslly like sinking into furniture but do want to feel like it’s meant for adults. Thanks SO much 🙂
Hello! Well, I’m only 5’1″ and Dean is only 5’8″, so I’m not sure we can accurately speak to the height thing. We find our Ektorp to be very comfortable – but almost always sit with our feet up on the coffee table or I sit curled up and not straight exactly. Maybe try going into the nearest Ikea store to you and sit on a few?
Maybe it’s the quality of the IKEA slipcovers…I have a Craftmaster slipcover sectional in white – and we LIVE in our furniture. Not to mention I have 3 very large dogs and we rescue (usually 6 dogs minimum are always in my house). Zero issues with hair. I wash the slipcovers once a month in 4 loads – it’s a 2 piece sectional (2 sofas). Cushion casings from each sofa as 1 load each and the cover from each sofa as another load each. Cold water gentle cycle with clear ALL mixed with Glamorous Wash in Diva (HIGHLY recommend). Then I tumble dry low until very very slightly damp. Never have issues with shrinking or them not coming clean. I absolutely love my white slipcover sectional. Of all the furniture I’ve owned, it’s actually been the easiest to keep clean in my opinion.
Maybe. I’m glad you found some that work for you!
Hi! You’ve made your room beautiful, while still being cozy. I just got the grey Ektorp and I’m trying to make a little casual area for my kids to watch tv and play. What is paint color on your walls?
Hi there, Lindsay. Thank you so much for your kind words! The paint color is this room was Sherwin Williams Analytical Gray and is the same color as we used at our current house in our master bedroom!