I know many people love white slipcovers. And I know there are just as many skeptics. Could white slipcovers really be as easy to take care of of some people say they are? Just throw them in the wash and they are good as new? What about if you have kids? Or dogs? Or husbands? Or eat on your couch?
Today I’m going just going to tell you what I have experienced with mine since I’ve had them for quite a few years and offer you five things to consider.
5 Things to Consider about White Slipcovers:
1. White slipcovers will turn blue if people with newer dark jeans sit on them.
Just sayin’…I have several white pieces of furniture at my house, my parents have them at our beach house and have had a white coverlet on my bed for like a decade so I am all for the love for white, but it is just a fact. Newer dark jeans, which a lot of people wear, make white fabric kind of blue even after only one time sitting on it. {Note: Especially if you live in a rainy climate like I do in Seattle!} The blue does come out in the wash, though, thankfully! Right now every white piece of furniture in my house is kind of blue. If you are OK with that, proceed on to consideration #2. If you aren’t OK with that, and anyone you know wears dark jeans, white slipcovers will drive you crazy.
2. Guests might feel uneasy and uncomfortable with white furniture.
Just telling you the truth, some people when they come over don’t even want to sit down on my white furniture! Especially if they have kids. We have people over A LOT and I assure them it is fine and that I don’t worry about it because I really don’t, but some people still look for a less WHITE place to sit! Which is nearly impossible at my house. If I sense someone is worried (especially if they have kids) I usually run and grab a quilt to throw over the seat so they feel more comfortable.
That kind of makes me feel bad, I don’t want people to be uncomfortable at my house or flopping down on my sofa. We like to open our home to people. If you will feel terrible if your guests ask to sit on the floor instead of your couch, you might want to think twice about white. If you think you can deal with it, move on to consideration #3.
3. You will not feel like washing slipcovers as much as you might need to.
Yes, everyone says that slipcovers can be washed and bleached so they are cleaner than most sofas would ever be. This is true. But if you really use a white sofa or chair every day, especially if you have children or pets that you allow to sit on your furniture, VISIBLE things get on it almost every day. Hair. Pen marks. Shoe scuffs. Dirt. Lunch. Snot. Spaghetti Sauce. Newsprint. Dog paws. Who Knows What. I have to pick long brown hairs off my sofa before company comes. White slipcovers are not maintenance free and you don’t always have time to wash them before a party, once you notice how bad they look the company might already be on their way.
With a patterned slipcover or colored upholstered piece, you can go a long time before you feel like you have to clean it. With the white, it will get the same dirt and grime as any furniture, but you will see it right away — which is good if you are going to keep up with it and not so good if you don’t want the hassle. And I’ve heard that over bleaching can cause yellow stains on some fabrics, which can be a problem on white sofas too. If you are up for regular care or can handle a less than pristine white fabric in between washings, proceed with white slipcovers! But, you still might want to consider #4.
4. If you want to actually sit on your furniture, you might want to find creative solutions.
Our homes need to be a place where we feel comfortable and can flop down on a couch without worry of messing it up. So, to be real and honest, even though white slipcovers look lovely in a photo, in real life I keep a washable quilt or blanket on the slipcovered sofa we use most. Because even though you can wash slipcovers, I am lazy and don’t want to have to unzip and stuff cushions back in every two days. And, I love my dark jeans. I don’t want to have to shout at my son when he is eating jelly toast nor do I want to ban my kids from our furniture.
I don’t want to be maniac mom because I have white girlie white furniture and a nine year old boy.
I can wash a quilt really easily, plus I can whip it off when I want to take a photo to fake you all out that I have perfect white sofas and chairs and a nine year old boy in the same house. HA! Yes, it is a little crazy that I take the extra care necessary to have white slipcovers. But, before you think I am crazy, you have to consider #5.
5. What kind of person are you?
With anything, if you love it enough, you don’t care if it requires an extra measure of TLC or sacrifice. I had wood counters in my last house that I treated like my baby every day, wiping them down, using coasters and kissing them to sleep each night. I adored them. They were not nearly as difficult to care for as people might have thought, but they were a bit more effort than most people are willing to deal with. I actually enjoyed how beautiful they were, so caring for them was a pleasure. That is just how I am though, I am fine with imperfections AND I love caring for beautiful things. A match made in heaven for white slipcovers.
Bonus point #6:
Here is a key point for me though, I think it is great to have pretty things, even WHITE FURNITURE AND WOOD COUNTERS! as long as I don’t let them interfere or become more important than the people who need to be able to live around them and feel comfortable. If you sense that any of these things would be an issue for you in your own personal situation or home, it is 100% OK to not go with a white slipcover.
To be honest (again), even though I love them, the more I see them popping up in blogland the more I start thinking about going back to a brown tweed! Just to be unique — I’m kind of a rebel at heart. He heh heeh.
The important thing is you are making an informed choice based on what works for you and your family, not just based on all the pretty pictures you see. All white rooms and furniture are lovely in pictures, but may not be livable or feel right to you in your own home.
We all have different lifestyles and live in different climates! White is not the solution for every family. Go with what feels right to you!
Here is a clever idea, make a little “bib” for your slipcovered furniture!
Love this!
More super cute white slipcover ideas!
Disclaimer: This is just my own experience (remember, I live in the rainy NW where we have lots of water and mud, this is not a sandy warm beach town!) and my observations from my perspective. Results will vary at your home.
featured blog reader!
AMEN!
Ellen
I loved this. This is why I have a patterned sofa! Little “bits” of cat hair, baby and this and that would drive me nuts!
I also have to remind myself that a home is a place for people to relax and feel comfortable…often that goes against what my vision looks like;)
I couldn’t even get through #1 without freaking – so no white slipcovers for me. My daughter-in-law has had them for almost 10 years (ok just off white) and she has managed to get through the toddler years with 2 boys and a dog. I don’t know how often she washes them, but they still look great. She is one of those people who can take care of special things. I’m not, so I’ll leave it to her to stay on trend.
.-= Heather @ what’s happening this week´s last blog ..It’s Alive!!! =-.
Great advice, Melissa! I love the easy little ottoman that I slipcovered but just having that in my house for a couple of weeks and seeing how high maintenance it is made me realize how much I don’t want my chairs or couch to have white slipcovers. I love the look but there are also a lot of other looks I like too. And I giggled about you wanting to change it when you see everyone else doing it. I am that same way. I think I’ll keep my turquoise and very unique couch, thankyouverymuch!
.-= Emily@remodelingthislife´s last blog ..Link Love: Spring is Definitely Here Edition =-.
…ellen stole my amen!
Thanks Melissa!!!! I love this post…
We don’t have white slip covers and all those reasons are why we don’t for now.
Maybe one day????
This is a great post. I have been wanting white/off white slip covers for ages. With so many family of all ages in and out of my house all the time I think I’d probably just put a throw on them when needed. Maybe one day I will get those white slip covered sofas.
Alison
.-= Alison Gibbs´s last blog ..Enjoying a cup of tea =-.
Twitter: northdixie
says:
White slipcovers + 9 year old boy = too many arguments about furniture.
Just saying. I can’t afford to replace my 18 year old couch and loveseat. I bought really good furniture with good frames. It’s been reupholstered once already. I’m looking for a really cheap option for fabric and was thinking dropcloths to use in making slipcovers. But white is not the way to go. So I’m thinking of other options. That room is a dark room and needs some lightening up – so I’m going to find some fabric that’s fun and floral or print or something. Spice it up and give the boy room to breathe.
Thanks Melissa for your honesty! It is so nice to know the truth as I’ve wanted white slipcovers for years but question it as the same time. Maybe the time I can afford them I’ll be on to something different!
.-= Jenni´s last blog ..Amazing Places =-.
Did you just post a pic of a slipcover for a slipcover. oh my. lol. but now i want one! I’ve had my PB natural color slips for 4 years now – and they look new still EXCEPT for the cat claw marks. Can’t wash those out. ;0)
.-= sheri´s last blog ..Dear Peggy, it’s about your house. =-.
I like this post! I love white slips but don’t know if I could keep up with them. I would probably start with a chair or ottoman. I don’t think I would need it all slipped. I like my leather couch and it is easy to wipe down to keep it nice and clean. The only problem I had was when I put flea stuff on the dog and he laid up against the side and it left a spot!! I freaked at first but learned to let it go! Plus, I like the mix of leather and white or off white. Different colors and textures. I had thought of slipping the leather just for a more summery look but didn’t know if they would stay put. Would they slide around and what about backs with the pillows attached? How would that work?
Hmm….if you had slips on a sofa with backs attached the slipcover would have to go over the entire cushion and frame. And yeah, leather would be a bit slippery but if you had them custom made they would fit nicely, I bet! But I love a good mix of furniture and textures too and leather is so nice and cool in the summertime!
Exactly why we don’t have white slipcovers! My sweetheart works in a machine shop and he comes home with solvents on his clothing and in his hair and on his skin. Sometimes when he comes home after working many overtime hours he’s so tired he heads for the nearest place to sit, relax and talk for a bit and I want him to be able to ‘plop’ down wherever his heart desires. He’s pretty good about it if he’s really dirty but his navy blue leather recliner seems to meet all of his needs! No white for this couple – we’re just not neat enought for ‘white’!
~Adrienne~
.-= Adrienne´s last blog ..Source Of Strength =-.
Yes, that is exactly my thought. Every family is different, every home is different. I’ve always taught my kids to be neat so we are probably neater than some, BUT, we also believe in LIVING in our home so I have to take that into account when we choose furnishings too. We will take care of things in order to have a beautiful home, but I’m not going to ban people from a room. You want your husband to feel welcome in his own home and because of his profession, you are making the right choice for you! Good for you!
Thanks for the honesty. I think I’ll skip that fad until I’m ready to deal with them. I really like that pillow with the nest…where is that from? (it’s in the second to last photo).
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Magnificent Magnolia =-.
Excellent Post! It confirms that I am right to avoid white furniture.
I am not cut out to wash slipcovers all of the time….and actually when I saw the title of your post I saw Five little heads… of our children and their friends.
Five reasons not to have White Slipcovers.
LOL
Becky K.
.-= Becky K.´s last blog ..Easter Blues =-.
As much as I love the slipcovered look, at this stage of my life I don’t think I want to have to worry with the maintenance. Thanks so much for these valuable tips, Melissa.
These are great points, most of which I wouldn’t have thought of. Although I adore those great rooms with white slipcovers, after reading this I know that they are definitely NOT for me. There are some things I’m willing to put in a little extra work for to get the look I’m going for, but this just isn’t one of them. Plus, I have two enormous Newfoundlands who are not the cleanest animals in the world. I can only imagine what havoc they would wreck on white slipcovers.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Intriguing gardening products =-.
I appreciate the details you shared! And what you said about being willing to work harder for something you really love is so true no matter what you are talking about!
I’m not really into the white look for my house. But you sure do find some awesome pictures! White always makes it look cool and summery!
Perfect timing on this post Melissa………I’ve really been envying the white slip covers, and you’ve really given me somethings to think about!! We have a light beige carpet, and one rainy day my daughter came in with her dark jeans on that got wet near her feet….and quickly had blue marks all around the house where she had walked!!- she has also ruined her Coach purse because of those jeans…..I would not have thought about that with the slipcovers!!—-wonder why they can’t do something about that dye in the jeans!
great post!!
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..I Heart Faces – Dessert! =-.
Oh my. Yes, I’ve ruined suede boots and shoes before because of rained on jeans. Bummer about the purse! Sheesh.
Loved this post! As the owner of one slipcovered sofa, I can attest that it’s all true. I like mine and it saved me from having to buy a new piece of furniture when we moved here, but I hate washing it. Everyone makes it sound so easy–just throw it in the washer when it gets dirty! But it’s such a pain that I put it off as long as I can.
I have to iron the heck out of mine to make it look even halfway decent after washing it, and ironing that much fabric can take all day.
I’ll never forget washing and ironing and arranging it back it place before we had company one weekend. The couple decided to give their 2-yr old cough medicine on the sofa, but she fought them, knocked the bottle out of their hands, and it spilled all over it. Yes, it’s better that it was on a slipcover that I could wash. But boy, I nearly broke out into tears because I had just spent the day before washing and ironing the thing. And I had to rip it back off and start all over. *Sigh.*
.-= Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog ..“Rebecca:” Going Back to Manderley Again =-.
Oh, yeah. Stuff like that happens to me too all the time. As soon as I do take the time to wash it, we have a freak accident and I wonder why I bothered! I have two slipcovered sofas, one requires ironing (which I usually decide to avoid and thus my sofa has wrinkles all over it) and the other one doesn’t need ironing at all! I hate ironing!
The JEANS!!! Oh my gosh! I bought new jeans two months ago, and YES, I have washed them SEVERAL times and they are still giving off blue dye! I am not so glad we didn’t buy that Pottery Barn slipcovered couch!
These are great points. When we’re in the market for a couch change, I’m going to remember this post. Thank you!
.-= bridget {bake at 350}´s last blog ..Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches =-.
Try washing the dark jeans with a little bit of vinegar in cold water…should set the dye? At least I think I heard that somewhere…
.-= Lizabeth´s last blog ..Madsen Cycle’s Cargo Bike =-.
Spot on! I have had white slipcovers for the past 12-14 years (through 4 kids and all their friends and red clay from baseball diamonds…and horse boots and all). I’ll tell ya, the biggest killer is the big black dawg…that’s when maintenance and sheets thrown on the furniture became much more of a reality!
Great post!
.-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last blog ..Growth… =-.
#1 about the blue jeans rubbing off on them was the big turn off. In this day and age, not to be able to sit on them wearing jeans???
I tend to go for low maintenance patterned fabrics that will stay always looking new. The problem with that though… nothing ever wears out! And then to change things up, there’s a bit of guilt replacing something that still looks good.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..man on a mission =-.
wow, what a post!!!
I have to say I have had slipcovers for over 10 yrs on the same old sofa that has lived through a glut of babies and two boisterous boys and a very active family and boys…I have never* had any of the issues you mentioned…no blue jeans or issues with dirt, in fact I love* throwing them in the wash and popping them back on un-ironed for a casual laid back look…now I am thinking I must be really really slovenly…!!
I’d love to know who you are referring to in blogland…hope it isn’t me
Sarah
.-= sarah ABeachCottage´s last blog ..Beach Cottage Old Vintage Suitcases…going White…& Tulips! =-.
Oh, no I wasn’t referring to anyone in particular! They are everywhere, including my own house! I think it might also depend on what fabric you use too. Some might be more attracting to dirt…
Clearly you aren’t slovenly, we are! That is why I have to keep the blanket on ours
Remember, you live in a different place than I do. A sunny place. We live in the NW United States and it RAINS HERE!!
A lot.
Rain + brand new blue jeans = dye comes off! There is mud.
You can just brush off the sand. You can’t brush off moss and mud
haha to the mud, it rains here too ya know!!!! …oh and what I didn’t say about the jeans is I make everyone undress at the front door
)
x
.-= sarah ABeachCottage´s last blog ..Beach Cottage Old Vintage Suitcases…going White…& Tulips! =-.
Twitter: pinkandpolkadot
says:
Sarah,
I’m with you! I love my white slips and have had them for years! We can be slovenly together!
.-= Pink and Polka Dot´s last blog ..Trash Diving in the neighborhood =-.
oh and I never use quilts over and my kids have no rules apart from no chocolate on the white * leather sofas
)
.-= sarah ABeachCottage´s last blog ..Beach Cottage Old Vintage Suitcases…going White…& Tulips! =-.
Thank you for including all the real things to consider with white slipcovers but after reading them I still think I will be alright with them. And, I just purchased 50 yards of white denim on Saturday! I intend to slipcover the whole family room!! (two couches, a chair and ottoman) I hope I am not sorry as I have always wanted them. One question though, When you wash them do you use hot, warm or cold water to get them clean?
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Spring Pastels =-.
Twitter: pinkandpolkadot
says:
Jean,
I wash the fabric in hot water and then dry it in the dryer before I cut the first piece! After, I made my slipcovers, I continued to wash them in hot and dry them.
.-= Pink and Polka Dot´s last blog ..Trash Diving in the neighborhood =-.
Fantastic post!
I am totally doing the white slipcover thing soon. Hate me. I’m a fad following zombie. It’s still the least painful choice for me–easier/less expensive than replacing a still comfy sectional or having it recovered. And if after a year I hate it, it’s such a small investment in money that it’s worth the trouble to find out if it works for us.
In a few years, hopefully, I can have it recovered but for now, I’m going to try out the white slipcovers. Just like having silk drapes in our breakfast area, they were totally worth the trouble to me.
And besides, I’m always having to rip a huge blanket off our patterned sofa now before anyone comes over, we are blanket freaks even in the summer.
And, anyway, I have a really great solution that you haven’t thought of for the jeans issue–I’ll just tell all of my guests to remove their pants before coming into our family room.
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..Write Them on Your Doorposts :: A Giveaway =-.
Love the idea of making people remove their pants. That is such a welcoming solution, Nester. Thank you for that. Keep in mind you can always slipcover in a fabric color other than white if you were concerned about the pure white…slipcovers are a great way to go though, especially for such a large sofa!!
I’m really trying hard to think of a totally witty comeback. Everything I write is too gross and I have to delete it. But you can use your imagination.
If I got to visit your house, I would gladly remove my jeans so I could sit on your sofa. You could provide a special jeans rack, kind of like a coat rack only people could hang their pants on it. I bet it would be a new trend.
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..Write Them on Your Doorposts :: A Giveaway =-.
LOL. Ok, so now I’ve pretty much ensured that no one will sit on my furniture when they come over since I’ve revealed that their jeans might make the cushions blue.
Note to my guests: my slipcovers are already blue from my jeans. Please, have a seat and don’t remove your pants first.
Although, you got me thinking Nester. I’m adding a pants rack to my shop today, just in case your idea catches on. I want to be the first to have one. I’m going to call it Fancy Pants Rack.
Twitter: pinkandpolkadot
says:
yes! definitely alot cheaper than recovering or purchasing a new sofa! I’m with you girl!…except the removing the pants thing;0)
.-= Pink and Polka Dot´s last blog ..Trash Diving in the neighborhood =-.
I adore white and have a white coverlet on my bed. It has imperfections because I have 5 kids that live at home! That is okay with me. Having said that, I would not want white furniture in my home. My husband works for a printing company and would never be willing to sit on the furniture! We have company a lot, like you do, and I know the folks that come – they would be uncomfortable!
Good thing I am not hung up on what everyone else is doing! I have tan and use punches of red and yellow in my decor! It works for us.
I’ll just pop in to see your white and admire it from afar!
Good post Melissa!
.-= Mrs.Rabe´s last blog ..Asking For Prayer =-.
Great post, Melissa! People have similar comments about my solid white bedding. It totally works for me, but I understand why it might drive some people crazy.
.-= Living With Lindsay´s last blog ..Your Advice Needed: Creative DVD Storage Solution =-.
That is so true. They do get dirty and they do turn blue with new jeans. Thank goodness it is just me and hubby here. I would not have these white slips with kids probably. I do put a coverlet on mine, too where I sit a lot and the dog. Great tips!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..New Old Treasures =-.
I am so happy to read this! I was about to buy a white slipcovered sofa NEXT WEEK for the room that my kids LIVE IN, with their dark jeans and jelly toast. I need to do a little more thinking on this. Or at least, budget for a second set of slipcovers to make changes a little easier.
.-= Sue @ Laundry for Six´s last blog ..camp mom’s declassified spring break survival guide =-.
Melissa,
Thanks for filling us in on living with white slipcovers. They are beautiful. I’m afraid with a black and white cat, I’d be forever having to de-fur them.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Welcome to the 65th Metamorphosis Monday…New Lighting for the Bedroom! $50 HomeGoods Give-a-Way Winner and Have You RSVPd for A Classy Flea? =-.
Love the look of white slipcovers, so simple and classic. I would never have thought of blue jeans staining the slipcover, good to know though.
I also really love the bib.
Fantastic post Melissa
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Custom Word Art =-.
Love the look of white slipcovers, so simple and classic. I eould never have thought of blue jeans staining the slipcover, good to know though.
I also really love the bib.
Fantastic post Melissa
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Custom Word Art =-.
Hi Melissa, what a great post. I laughed at the comment of people removing their jeans. That was great…I loved it. I have (old) white couches that I love and I am able to wash the covers…thank goodness. My white find was from a great consignment store and the most comfortable couches in the house….everyone wants to sleep on them, sit on them…relax and eat. I’ve had to take on the approach like you said…people are more important.
Needless to say I have a lot of quilts and throws draped across the couches…you can hardly spot the jelly stains!
Blessings,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Applique a Vintage Towel =-.
My white PB sofa is super comfy too and I have no shame at all in draping it with a quilt. That is just being real and making it work! I knew there were other people who would see it the same way I do!
Love the white, love our quilts 
Melissa, thank you so much for this post. I love all white furniture when I look at a room but have hesitated for all the above points you made so wonderfully. I love that you keep it real and give such sage advice. Great post and great information. I guess it is back to my blue and white ticking!! Which I love! Kathysue
.-= Kathysue´s last blog ..I Will Take Quaint and Charming Please!! =-.
Oh, my I LOVE blue & white ticking! LOVE!!
Great advice. I’d been mulling the idea of off-white slipcovers, but I have enough laundry as it is. My dogs are black, and it’s too late for dog-free furniture. I’ll stick to my patterned couch. Thanks for helping me decide.
could you please tell me where the pillow with the bird and nest came from
I got that pillow as a gift from here: http://www.peggysundays.com/
It is adorable, lots of cute hand stitching!
Thanks for this post! I do love the look, but honestly, I’m a rebel at heart too. I’m not a follower, other than to follow the beat of a different drum LOL. I’m also a lover of color, so I don’t think I’d be happy with the all white look. However, I have a couple of chairs slipcovered (not white) and have plans to do (ON MY OWN!!! OH MY!) a large slipcovered ottoman in our sunroom. Creme, not white LOL.
I have seen so many darling slipcovers in color/print fabrics (not white), so those who don’t care for or don’t want the all white can easily find something they will love.
Thanks for sharing your (honest) thoughts!
tina
Wow, I sure wish I could slipcover my own!
I agree, there are ADORABLE slipcover options in patterns! So many choices!
Oh it’s just a big square ottoman – my hubby built to be covered. If you saw Country Living last month (I think) there was an off-white or white slip covered ottoman. I sew, easy stuff only. I’m pretty sure I can handle this one. No chairs or anything though. LOL
tina
Oh my gosh, number 1 made me laugh so hard! While I was in college my mom acquired some very lovely white slipcovers and I remember coming home on a visit and plopping down on the sofa in a “gosh it’s good to be home way” as soon as I walked in. In my dark rinse jeans. My mom screeched, ran over, and although she is quite petite nearly lifted me off the sofa herself!
I apparently learned nothing from this experience (other than my mom having superhuman strength in sofa emergencies) because I currently have a white sofa. And it is not slipcovered so I can’t toss it in the wash when needed, nor can I slip cover it because it is an odd mid-century modern shape. And to speak to point number 5, I’m the type of person who likes to be comfortable, doesn’t forbid snacks in the living room, and lets her little dog climb all over the sofa. Which means I really shouldn’t have white furniture (at least white furniture that can’t be washed).
Great post!! I wish I would have read it before we went furniture shopping.
.-= Hip Hip Gin Gin´s last blog ..Simple Pleasures: Magnolia Trees =-.
That is hysterical about your mom!
And very funny that you learned nothing except that your mom has super human strength. You crack me up. Really, those of us who love beautiful things tend to go with what we love over what might be practical anyway. That is OK! Now you know why I use quilts! Much easier and less cumbersome than using super human strength to remove people from our sofas.
Too funny!
Twitter: violetposy
says:
Great article. I can’t even wear white without getting covered in sticky hands/dog paws in about 10 minutes, so probably best our sofas avoid white too
Great post! I have some white slipcovers in my family room and we mostly use the living room, so it works out well. I love your tips and insight on this!
.-= The Virginia House´s last blog ..All Those Link Parties =-.
I adored you before…but I adore you even more after this article!! This couldn’t have come at a more pertinent time in my life! Wow. I’m just getting ready to move my all white slipcovered furniture (that is now in guest bedrooms and master) into the living room. Get rid of all my leather! I’ve been having second thoughts because of a very spoiled golden retriever who insists the second and third cushion are hers. Now you’ve given me even more to think about. No, there’s no thinking involved anymore. The white stays in the bedroom! Thank you a million times over.
Glad to be of service.
If you change your mind about the furniture, get the dog his own special quilt for those cushions! 
I definitely agree- I did the “trendy” light slipcovers {duckcloth} and I certainly don’t wash them like I thought I’d be diligent about doing. Just part of life…
I used the slipcovers in a lower-traffic room, my style of slipcovers have the ties in the front which are a more casual feel {so I don’t think people ever hesitate to sit on them}, and I guess I’m lucky, but haven’t had the dark jeans problem.
But hopefully as you said it will stay a classic look and even if not, I’m glad they’re slipcovers and can easily be changed!
.-= {Gypsy Soul}´s last blog ..Black White & a Little Grey =-.
One husband, two sons, fourcats PLUS my OCD self would NEVER allow me to have white ANYTHING! Though I do love them, I have pictured my self walking through my house with lint brushes permanently attached to both of my hands!!
Great post!
Lou Cinda
.-= Lou Cinda´s last blog ..Nifty Thrifty Tuesday =-.
Good points, Melissa! I just got a white slipcover for my living room sofa earlier this year. I had been wanting one for awhile and instead of putting it off even more, I just went for it. I love it so much better than the large floral that I had grown tired of. I haven’t had to do it yet {because we don’t use the living room as much as the den}, but I could see putting a nice quilt or something down. Especially with a new grandchild added to the family this Summer, it is something I may have to think about once she starts becoming active! I’m glad they are washable, but I’m sure it gets tired fast if you have to do it too often.
My kids used to wipe their noses all over our dark green sofa when they were little. It was awful! White streaks all over the dark green! Quilts can keep everyone sane and I love the look of them anyway. Enjoy that new grandbaby!!
Twitter: BloomBainbridge
says:
Melissa!
Happy Monday!
What a great post!
Had to pop right over when I saw the word SLIPCOVER! ;o)
I actually am taking some pics…
in the middle of washing mine…
which can take several days you know…
so I was going to create a post about the process of washing WHITE slipcovers.
Do you use clorox bleach when you wash your slipcovers?
I haven’t used it…but just wondering!
This is a fab REALITY check about slipcovers.
I can only imagine the many people that come and go from your home…with your son being 9 and with your church get togethers.
I am sure this creates lots more wear and tear on your slipcovers.
Doogan…my fur baby…enjoys the slipcovers!
I’ve got some BIG ole black paw prints on the back of my big couch piece that were put there when he popped up to perch in his favorite spot by the window!
I took some pics of the spots…hoping that I can show how washing them makes it looks like you don’t have a single fur-baby popping on and off of them!
And I am SURE you flip your cushions…
just like I do.
It is just amazing to me how FRESH and clean they look after washing!
You and I have the same mindset/love for the WHITE!
I too am willing to LOVE AND CARE for my slipcovers…
WORTH IT!!!!
I never ever ever ever tire of waking up to them each morning.
Or leaving them before going to bed.
We have a landing that overlooks the living space.
Sometimes when I come down in the morning I will stand on the landing and just oooooh and aaaaw over my white furniture.
LOVE the LOOK!
I had been DREAMING of all white for years before diving in last summer!
Okay…well I could go on and on…
rambling about my love of white slipcovers!
Getting ready to switch out my pillows to change the LOOK to summer.
Do you do this?
Maybe one day I can have you over and you can sit on my white slipcovers…:o)!
By the way….I wrote down the paint colors and will email.
Hope you haven’t already purchased the paint.
Sorry it took so long.
And can I ask you this….what did you use to clean your wood surfaces in your kitchen? I have the wood island surface….and just wondered what you used like when you just wiped them clean?
Happy Day Sweet Melissa!
xxooxx
Oh…one more thing!
If ANYONE dare knock at my door…
with DARK blue jeans on their body…
well they’ll be STRIPPING down before entering this WHITE sanctuary! Ha…hahahaha! ;o)
.-= teresa´s last blog ..GREEN =-.
Cracking up. I’m with ya, I love how fresh and clean and pretty they look in a room! Even though they might be more practical at the beach (you and i know exactly what I am talking about, living in or near Seattle is not at all like living at the beach with dry sand!), but I FEEL like I live at the beach when I see them!! Don’t you? YES, I agree they are worth the several day process of washing just for that feeling!
I flip my cushions, yes, to extend the length of time between washings. That is definitely helpful!
Do alert me when you write that post about how to wash them? I would love to share it with my readers who also love the white slipcovers but need to know how to keep them white!
For wood furniture: I have a bottle of Old English and I love to wipe down my wood with it, it really freshens it up! And also I use Endust. NOT pledge (it has wax) to dust all my wood.
Can’t wait to find out your colors. I started painting some rooms but I don’t want to use the same color everywhere so I’m looking for options!!
Laughing so hard about all the talk of asking guests to remove their jeans before entering. LOL. Can you imagine? Maybe we could hand out sweatpants, to be a little more modest. LOL.
I wouldn’t worry about being different with white slipcovers. The blogosphere is a small, (but growing) group. If you were to visit every home in your neighborhood, I’d guess maybe one or two other homes have them. (Unless you live in Houston, (by Joni!) or at the beach!)
I’m in Utah and I haven’t seen them at any house but my own. And I love being different- I built a Southern, wrap around house in this mountain world!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..A Time for Miracles =-.
Sooo true!! It is easy to think that blogland is a good indicator of what everyone else is doing, but in your own city things can be entirely different. I’ve noticed that too on other decorating issues too…there are a lot of bloggers who live in the South and the things they do in their homes are not at all what I see people do in the Seattle area. It can just feel like everyone is doing something when really, they aren’t! Great point!
Whew. You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ve been wanting to slipcover our furniture for a while but I have a hard time keeping up with the laundry for my five kids as it is. I’m glad you shared these tips!
☺ Celeste
.-= Celeste @ Cottage Dreamers´s last blog ..Take Flight =-.
PS. I wash mine 2 or 3 times a year. Just the Babe and me at home, but our 4 kids and their soon to be 9!! children come over very often. We are all over that furniture. I seldom allow food, but I’m totally relaxed about that. We put in a wood floor and bought a beautiful patterned wool rug- soft blue- just for all the bottle drips! LOVE our babies! And every little finger print brings a happy feeling!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..A Time for Miracles =-.
That is how I used to feel about fingerprints on our windows! I cherished those tiny prints everywhere because I knew they wouldn’t be there in a few years. Great perspective!! That is how I look at things too, you have to be able to live in your home! Even though I have white, my quilts make it livable even when we want to eat pizza on them.
A few years ago I finally bought my dream off white slipcovered sofa from Arhaus. This past winter I sold it. Even though I don’t have small children, I do have dogs and they are like family in our house and to me what’s the point of covering a sofa up, it defeats the purpose of having it I think. Also, I like to be different and too many people had them so now I have an orange chippendale and an olive herringbone settee and I love them. They are not as easy to take on and off either. One day I worked up quite a sweat trying to get the base back on so they definitely were not for me.
LeAnn
.-= LeAnn´s last blog ..Last photos…I promise and a GIVEAWAY!! =-.