How to Wash a Slipcover

The steps are super simple to wash a slipcover and I’ve got some tips and tricks to help the process go smoothly.  Maintaining a slipcover couch is so easy and I have zero regrets for investing in the one we have.

WHY WE BOUGHT A SLIPCOVER COUCH

When we moved states over five years ago, we sold most of our furniture.  Due to other budget needs, we never made the purchase of a full-sized couch.  But when we moved to this home, we decided to invest in a Pottery Barn couch.  They say the rest is history…

In all seriousness, this is the most comfortable couch ever.  {I shared about the day it arrived HERE!}  We also purchased the “grand” size as we had the space and it allows for all 5 of us to sit on it together.  Technically, the bench cushion is the size of a twin mattress, so it could easily be a spare bed if we needed it.

The main reason we bough a couch with a slipcover is so that it could easily be washed.  And today, I am going to share with you how I go about doing that.

〈LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER〉  〈ALL THE COUCH DETAILS〉

REAL LIFE

My goal is to wash the slipcover every six months.  To be honest, that rarely happens, but it’s a good goal.  I typically know when it needs to be washed by how floppy everything seems to get.  There are usually a few marks that need washed out too.  You can see by the photo above, that it gets used often.  This is a pretty good day though…sometimes this couch is a fort.

Plan on the process of washing your slipcover to take a day.  You won’t be spending many moments on it, but you’ll need a day that you can keep going back to it.  The process involves washing and drying cycles that need to be checked on periodically.

STEP BY STEP TO WASH A SLIPCOVER

• Remove all the extra throw pillows and store them aside.
• Take the covers off all the cushions and pillows and set them apart from one another.
• Unzip and pull away from any velco holding the couch frame slipcover on.
• Separate the slipcover into a few loads.  How many depends upon the size of your slipcover.  As I mentioned earlier, we have a large couch.  This leads to 3 loads: bench cushion, frame, and pillows.
• Zip up any zippers on the slipcover pieces.
• Wash each load and then dry until slightly damp.
• Place all pieces back on the frame, cushions, and pillows.  Don’t put it back together, but separate the pieces out to air dry the rest of the way.
• Once fully dry, put your couch back together.

〈HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT〉  〈PAINTED FIREPLACE MAKEOVER〉

WASHING AND DRYING

Follow your manufacturer instructions, but Pottery Barn recommended the following for my couch: cold water, gentle cycle, non-blue dying detergent, tumble dry until slightly damp.

I follow these directions and use my homemade laundry detergent.  To be certain that I do not over-dry any piece of the slipcover, I set my dryer to medium heat and dry each load for 10-20 minutes at a time.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WASHING

• Vacuum any crumbs, etc prior to putting it in the wash.  I found leftover popcorn from movie nights.  There were also feathers to clean up as our cushions are down.
• Begin first thing in the morning and stay focused on this task throughout the day.  Your goal is to have the slipcover back on as soon as possible.
• You may need to allow it to finish air drying overnight.  The length of time depends upon how damp it is, the air temperature and humidity, and how much air can circulate around the pieces.
• Don’t lean damp slipcovers against any wood furniture.  The dampness may cause a stain on your freshly washed slipcover.  I also tend to stay away from dark painted wood…just in case.
• Flip your air drying pieces every few hours.  Or at least at the end of the day if it needs an overnight to dry.

〈EASY DIY FIREPLACE MANTEL〉  〈WINTER MANTEL DECOR〉

WATCH THE ENTIRE PROCESS

WHY I LIKE A LIGHT SLIPCOVER

One of the first questions I get is why I would buy a light colored slipcover.  It’s one of those things that people either like or they don’t.  And it’s okay because we each should include what we prefer in our own homes.

For me, I would rather know something is dirty and wash it than hide or be oblivious to things being dirty.  I feel the same way about light walls.  It’s very easy to see when light walls need to be wiped down.  Inevitably, walls and couches will get dirty.  My preference is to know when it needs to be cleaned instead of forgetting or ignoring it.

Another big reason I prefer a light slipcover is that I enjoy changing out my decor and throw pillow covers, and having a light couch makes that possible.  I don’t have to wonder if whatever change I am thinking of making will “go with” my couch.

TIPS FOR KEEPING A SLIPCOVER CLEAN

• My sister-in-law gave me a suggestion that I began immediately when we got our Pottery Barn couch.  She told me to put a sheet or blanket down to protect our bench cushion.  That was brilliant!  For $10, I purchased a flat sheet that I wash every few weeks and then put back on our couch.  This sheet has taken the brunt of any messes or grime and is so easy to wash and even to replace when it becomes stained.
• We don’t eat in here.  Or at least: we don’t let the kids eat in here.  Ha!  We’ll do popcorn or snacks here and there, but all our meals are eaten in our dining room.
• We keep pets off the couch.

〈PAINTED DRESSER AS A TV STAND〉  〈HOW TO HANG A VINTAGE ROUND MIRROR〉

The entire process of how to wash a slipcover is quite simple.  It takes time, but not a ton of time.  The pros outweigh any cons {which, I personally haven’t found any: unless you count wrestling with the couch a con}.

If you are thinking about getting a slipcover couch, go for it!  Choose any color that works for you and know that you can always change out the color someday.  And if you pick a light slipcover…I hope these tips and tricks help you!

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