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.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a white slipcover couch and I also have the biggest problem of them getting dirty faster than I want to wash them so sometimes it looks just gross. I’m trying to think of a good alternative. I might try the whole blanket/quilt over it for the most part. I’m not sure. I like the look, but yeah it can be hard to keep up.
.-= Sarah Sarniak´s last blog ..Dining Room Table Redo Inspiration =-.
I love country living’s approach to balancing style and comfort.
.-= Heather Ozee´s last blog ..Fun with Friends =-.
What a great post. Thanks! I have been considering not, white, but light and think many of your valid insights come into play.
Thanks for this, Melissa! I’ve had my off-white upholstered sectional sofa for 20 years and I’m amazed that it’s remained in such good shape despite not being babied at all. The fabric has started to pill all over though and I’ve been torn between reupholstery and custom slipcover. The fabic that’s on it now is very textural and I think that’s been key to its survival. After reading your tips, I’m fairly certain now that I’ll reupholster – I don’t want to be suddenly obsessed with a sofa I haven’t paid all that much attention to in all these years. Regular vacuuming and spot-cleaning plus a professional clean every couple of years has kept it plenty presentable (and we lived on it with kids every day). I’ll use one of those sweater de-piller gizmos on it now and then too (don’t think I don’t know how crazy that looks). I do remember that the first time it was cleaned by a pro, he showed me the blue water and asked who was sitting on it wearing jeans all the time! (well, everyone) It didn’t then and has never looked “blue” though. Textured fabric vs smooth I think, don’t you? Thanks for helping me make up my mind!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..New to My Library =-.
Yes! Definitely. The fabric will make a big big difference!! I would highly recommend a little texture, it will make things much less noticeable and easier to wipe off. My matelasse quilt has a little texture and it still turns blue, but it is probably only noticeable to me because I look carefully at it
If it was a smooth fabric everyone would probably see it.
I flip my cushion over when they start to get a little grungy. I have a dog that sits on the couch every day for 8+ hours. He is mostly white and doesn’t shed.
I’ve had beer spilled on it at a party and my guest was mortified. I said that’s why I had a slipcover
I don’t traditionally eat at my couch. Stark white couch and your guests might wonder what you do…
Thanks for this post. I felt like I was missing out on the white slipcovers. After reading this I am post comfortable where I am at. Thanks for the perspective. Hugs!
.-= Infarrantly Creative´s last blog ..My Design Guide Giveaway =-.
#2 is so true. We have white ultrasuede on our upholstered dining room chairs and no one wants to eat there, even when I tell them they are virtually stain-proof. Ultra suede is pretty stain resistant, plus I had them professionally scotchguarded. In order to convince me that they were family friendly (we have 4 kids), my designer even poured coffee on the fabric sample to show me doesn’t stain. The first week we had them, a little boy got lasagna on them, and it wiped right off. Even when I tell people this, they still feel uncomfortable eating on them.
what a fabulous post!!
i am still laughing…
however, i’m totally digging my white slipcovered bliss from ikea…much cheaper than selling both cars to afford the original ones i wanted, from pottery barn!
& when my beloved four girls wear their dark jeans…well, i encourage them to wrap themselves in one of the conveniently placed blankets first! ha!
for those on the fence…i’ve had mine for 4 months &they are still perfectly white…& i have a doggy too!
i do LOVE the little bib thingy though!
Thanks for this post, Melissa. I’ve thought about this option often and this helps. I have a beautiful little desk chair from Ethan Allen upholstered in a yellow buffalo check and my husband’s jeans have discolored it. He doesn’t even wear dark wash! There’s no way to take it off and wash it. Makes me sad. All good points to consider, especially about how often would I want to wash them. Not much, I can tell you that.
.-= Karen B´s last blog ..Floral Fridays =-.
Amen to everything you said…..I got my first white slipcovered sofa for the first time last year….and it works fabulous for just the two of us and I love it, so me…but if I were still raising children I would be giving it a second thought…..when the grand children come over I just throw a comfy throw over it and everyone is happy. {because even though they are washable, it is a pain to take off and to put back on.}
Thanks for the tips.
.-= teresa´s last blog ..Wedding Day- =-.
I have dark red couches…and I’ve never once worried about spills or stains. BUT, I have white fabric dining room chairs and I honestly don’t worry about those, either. I think that if a person is going to go in that direction, they have to be willing to deal with a few spills every once in a while! ; )
.-= the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog ..I CAN’T WAIT!!!!! =-.
I think Nester and I have come up with 100 solutions to all of our white slipcover dilemmas. Maybe we’ll do a follow up post for you. But I’m warning you, our creative solutions might be hysterically offensive to most civilized and classy people.
Love this post ! You’ve thought of everything, but I’m looking forward to that follow up post with those solutions for white slipcovers ! So far, I’ve only dared to slipcover a small bench in cream fabric and so far, so good. Thanks for reminding us all that just because something seems to be happening all over blog land, it doesn’t mean it’s right for you. March to the beat of your own drum, I say, especially when it’s right for YOUR family !
.-= Kate at Centsational Girl´s last blog ..The Vintage Pearl GIVEAWAY ! =-.
It’s funny, I’ve been seeing so much lovely white and it’s very appealing and I was a little envious at first. But I’ve been realizing that it’s not for us. 3 little kids and a rancher for a husband=cleaning my brown microfiber sofa more than I’d like…I can’t even imagine if it were white! Maybe we’ll try for creamy neutrals in the bathrooms when they get renovated, but we’ll stick with darker neutrals and COLOR for now!
.-= Megan @ Meanwhile, back at the ranch´s last blog ..Pease Porridge Hot! =-.
Thanks for sharing, Melissa!
I know myself, and as much as I love the look, I don’t think I’d be as dedicated about washing those slipcovers as I’d need to be. With two little kids and a very furry dog, I doubt they’d last long at my house. 
I appreciate your honesty! I would have never considered the dark jeans problem…I live in mine! 
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Spring Bunny Frame Makeover =-.
things only learned through experience – how very helpful that you thought to share yours. knowing now that having white would truly drive us crazy, helps keep us in love with the dark ones we chose…
.-= crush.´s last blog ..stiched. goodie bags?! =-.
Great post! I have off white slipcovers and the one point I have to agree on is that people often seem to be uncomfortable sitting on them on the first visit- yikes! I may make some “bibs” as suggested for that very reason. Thanks for posting!
~Amber
Where do you buy good slipcovers? 6 years ago, I bought a nice chenille sofa for our family room. The frame and the cushions are still sturdy and comfy, but that chenille fabric has seen better days. I’d love to keep the sofa and slipcover it, but we sit on it all the time so the slipcovers would need to stay put. The back cushions are attached (another thing I wouldn’t do again in a high traffic area) so I can’t do invividual covers on those cushions. Slip covering is cheaper than a new sofa, but still is an investment. I’m not sure where to start.
great points. i have a piece or two that i have been wanting to cover it white. i don’t sew and am wondering if pre-made slipcovers are easy to find. any ideas on where to find some good quality white covers?
Great post, Melissa! I’ve been thinking about white slip covers for a while and have finally decided to make them just as soon as I can spare a few hours. While I love my red toile upholstery, I’d love to be able to lighten things up for the summer months … slipcovers seem the ideal solution. And I have to confess I’m totally in love with white! With no kids and no pets, I’m hoping I won’t have to wash them too often. *crosses fingers* You’ve given me a few things to consider before I take the plunge!
.-= Lynda´s last blog ..whispering =-.
I have PB slip covers on my sofa, and I have only washed them once in 3 years. Want to know why? They were so hard to get back on (half a day wrestling with couch cushions is not my idea of fun), they didn’t look the same (almost streaked/faded in certain spots) and the seams seemed to come undone. I decided from that point on, I would steam clean the couch just like it was a normal couch. So much for the grand idea of getting a slip cover so I could wash away the dirt of two boys, two dogs and a husband. Oh, and I didn’t dare go white. I went with the neutral butter-tan color. Let’s just say my new puppy decided to get into my husbands red wine one night. Had it been white, I guess maybe I could have bleached it, but seriously. Red wine and sofas don’t mix…washable or not!
Fabulous post. I do have a dream home with white slip covers and beach cottage decor. But I keep it in my dreams, cause there is no way I can control my crew to not sit on any of the furniture.
Maybe I will be rich and famous one day and make a Gail house in the back yard that only I am allowed to visit. Again, I am dreamin’!
.-= Gail´s last blog ..Inspiring Organized Spaces – Master Bathrooms =-.
I am currently decing on ‘the look’ for our new-but old home and I am considering white slipcovers. Based on your advice I will still go for them, but in my formal lounge. I will use our current leather lounge suite in the everyday family room frequented by a builder husband, three teenage boys, two large dogs and three cats. Thank you for your timely advice.
.-= Kate Watson´s last blog ..~YES MASTER~ =-.
Very good points to consider. I suppose our house is not the ideal place for white: two little boys and a hairy dog and two cats who love lounging on the furniture. But I love it just the same. Right now I’m trying out white on our boring brown sectional, using a bunch of white sheets as a temporary slipcover. I love the way it brightens the room and just seems more comfortable. Now if I could just figure out an inexpensive way to do permanent slipcovers…
Thanks for the words of advice!
.-= Kacey´s last blog ..Distressed White Side Table =-.
I love to hear you say you keep a quilt to sit on, because we have blankets on our couches so our dogs don’t ruin them. We wash the blankets once a week and vacuum the couch. But I hate seeing the blankets every day. When we have company and take them off they look so much better. However we have company less than the amount I would have to tell my dogs to get off the couch. I know, I’m a pushover
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..Encounter in the produce aisle =-.
Thanks so much for this post. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me for not having white slipcovered furniture all through my house! As I write this, my 8-yr. old is eating a slice of pepperoni pizza, sprawled out on the couch….wearing clothes that he was just outside playing in. I would be a nervous wreck all the time if my couch was white–even if it was washable! They are very beautiful though. And for sure, most of my guests would be extremely intimidated by the whole white thing!
.-= Elissa´s last blog ..Lightening My Load =-.
Twitter: makeroomfor
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I love the look…I even covet the look at times, but I am not willing to commit to the upkeep. I am lazy. Maybe when I retire I will have white slipcovers
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Clip It, Clip It Good =-.
I’m currently in the market for slipcovers. Thanks for all the info. I love my sofas but after 10 years, 4 kids, 3 cats and now a puppy–I can’t bring myself to pay for re-upholstery at this point. I’m thinking a study faded blue denim would be perfect for our heavily used family room.
.-= desiree@lookiloos´s last blog ..Just Listed: Eichler Gem =-.
This is exactly why I went with sunbrella camel colored slipcovered furniture. I still see stuff though, you can’t get away from it. Although I do have four kids under the age of six.
.-= Annelise Wilcox´s last blog ..Client Room After Painting and Before Decorating…Update =-.
Hey, Melissa! Glad to hear you telling the truth about white slipcovers. I just can’t see that they are practical for everyone, like many claim. I only have one white slipcovered chair & it’s not used all the time, so it is fine. But, I can definitely see if you have it in a main room, it could become a pain to keep clean. I just knew it wasn’t as foolproof as many white slipcover fanatics claim it is! I’ve heard some exclaim that it’s SO easy to keep it clean with 5 kids & 2 dogs. Yeah right!!
And I didn’t realize you have all that white slipcovered furniture at your house either. Guess I didn’t notice or pay attention before. It is pretty, but as I said in an earlier post, you won’t find it at my house in big doses.
Love the honesty!
I think some people’s definition of “easy” is “easier than buying a new sofa or using a sofa with a fabric they hate or easy based on the fact that they get to have the all white look that they love”–they’d rather have to wash and oxyclean a white slipcover, than dish out the $$ for something new. I’m sure that definition of “easy” is in Webster’s. I totally believe that to them, it is easy or at least worth the trouble. But, I don’t have proof. I only have one white slip covered chair right now too.
Some people think we are crazy for having so many tchotchokies to have to dust around. To me, it’s EASY! meaning, I still might have to dust {actually, dust is just my cue to rearrange} but it is BEYOND worth the trouble of a little dusting to display things I love. Easy! to me.
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..Everyone Wins Something =-.
PS, I am going to be making {with friends} my own white slips soon. Watch me come back here and warn everyone to NEVER have them and tell everyone it’s so NOT easy. I’m hoping that they are easy to me. I’m so afraid I will hate them in 30 minutes but, the cost of fabric and sewing is so much less than buying a new sectional or having it recoverd. And I’m a sucker, I LOVE the white look.
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..Everyone Wins Something =-.
It’s going to look wonderful and I have been reading about your plan and can’t wait to see!!! We are moving and I’m going to do my bedroom in them first as the “trial”, lol
Kristi
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..The Home Front Cafe (warning PIC HEAVY!) =-.
Great ideas, and loved the honesty. I am the same way I just want to do burlap or a tweed just to be different,and after reading this I am almost positive that with a 19 month old and a four year old I am not cut out for white right now!
Hey Melissa, I probably should have read this a few weeks ago but I am having white slip-covers made for outdoor dining chairs on my covered porch. I’m going for that Bunny Williams solarium look she has in her home. Hopefully because they won’t be used that much I will be alright. My thought was it would be good to be able to pull them off and wash or bleach them if someone spills something. Ttotally different from stuffing big sofa cushions back in. I sure hope so, because the plans for the porch are so lovely. I plan to post pictures when I am finished. You might enjoy those.
Thanks Melissa. Here in Mexico, they are not as popular, and I am considering a little… I REALLY appreciate your honesty, and your writing (as always). Take care!
.-= Rocio @ Casa Haus´s last blog ..Tiles -Suggestions =-.
Twitter: missmustardseed
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All of these tips are so great. I have tons of white slipcovers and I agree with all of your points, although I’ve never had the “blue” issue.
.-= Miss Mustard Seed´s last blog ..SYTYCD Week 7 – Home Improvement Store Materials =-.
Great post!
I have one white slipcover chair in my den and it has held up wonderfully with a house full of 4 boys and 1 man! Not bad!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Traci
.-= Traci Hutcherson´s last blog ..Bling for my Room =-.
I think the bib advice is the best one yet. Looks pretty in blogland but this girl will NEVER be having any white furniture! I had already decided that long ago, but you sealed the deal for me. I already vacuum way too much for any normal person, so the white would just put me over the edge!
.-= Mary Jean´s last blog ..Be Still Monday’s =-.
Three children equals no white furniture for me! More power to those who are willing to brave it.
As much as I just LOVE the look, I know it would drive me crazy when they got dirty.
.-= Lindsey@ Mama Sews´s last blog ..a letter of love to my son =-.
Thank you much for this post! I’m considering a black and white duvet for my guest room that is also my craft room. You reminded me that that the room is not a magazine but my home. Meaning that I’ll be washing that white duvet a lot more that I think I will.
.-= Condo Blues ´s last blog ..Telephone Book Wreath =-.
Well, I’ve considered slipcovers lately…but in a cream or tan, and now I’m reconsidering that!!
This was AWESOME. I love your honesty.
I think they look absolutely lovely, but I don’t even wash my clothes until I have none left — the slipcover would NEVER get washed.
I do have white bedding, and I don’t mind that. Although if people come over I have VACCUM the cat hair off of it. So…yes, that’s a NO for white slipcovers.
Well, I must admit…I’m one of those foolish people who loves the white slipcover look (actually anything beachy and casual) so I caved. I bought a gorgeous white slipcovered sofa from PB and well, within days I regretted it. (Funny enough, apparently I didn’t learn my lesson because months later I bought the matching chair!)
From the 3 year old and 5 year old…to the black cat…to the dark jeans…to just every day life. Yikes. It’s definitely difficult to keep clean and, as you suggested, a total pain to wash. I recently got replacements from PB and had them treated with Guardian fabric protection and it’s worked well (*Fingers crossed*).
Anyway, wish this post was written months ago! However, I will say that overall it’s beautiful and really completes the look I’m going for. You just have to know what you’re in for.
What an informative post! I’m linking it to my post for today!
LA
.-= LaurieAnna’s Vintage home´s last blog ..Gratitude, Flea Market Finds, & a Winner =-.
I don’t have to tell my boys to take off their jeans, I’m always telling them to put them back on
, hey, I guess they like lounging in boxers. No pets in our house but two boys and lots and lots of nieces, nephews and greats. My boys hang out in a dairy barn and beef barn too! After a trial with two white slipcovered chairs, I decided to cover our older sofa with white IKEA slipcovers. First, it saved a ton of money in reupholstering or buying new. Secondly, I like the look of white slipcovers (btw I agree about blogland not always reflecting our neighbours homes, I don’t see many white slipcovers in homes here.) Thirdly, while we let our kids and visitors LIVE in our home, I don’t mind having to wash them once in a while. We have leather in the family room and the white in the front living room. Great points in your post for folks to consider. Having some quilts or coverlets is my favourite point.
AMEN to that! I’ve always look in complete envy at people with white slip covered furniture as I complete adore the look of it all. I wished I could be one of them. But I always knew I couldn’t. I am far too particular about keeping things clean to add that additional angst to my life. I do prefer colour and texture to mask those little things that might otherwise drive me from zero to mental in an instant of spotting any pet hair or dribble on a white cover. Thanks for exposing the ‘not so perfect’ side of white.
I feel better now! lol
Twitter: pinkandpolkadot
says:
Loved your post Melissa! It is definitely a cost to count for some! For me, it was an easy solution to my yucky green plaid couch. I made the slipcover for my sofa and chair. I recently found an ikea loveseat on craigslist and bought the white slip for it off ebay. That one is a bit more challenging to rip off and wash than the one I made. Love my white slips even with kids, and dog and dirty hubs! You’re so right about how you’ll give a little xtra TLC to the things you love to live with! Haven’t had that jeans problem though.
.-= Pink and Polka Dot´s last blog ..Trash Diving in the neighborhood =-.
Just as I was thinking of making a slipcover for my “sofa” chair…Thanks for this post, it was enlightening!
Thank you for this. I am considering it, and I like to know the whole truth. I will most likely be buying a white slip covered couch in the next few months, but I will be using some of my sisters lovely quilts as well.
.-= laurie´s last blog ..Floor update =-.
Bless your heart for posting this! Although I adore the look of the white slipcover- there is No way I could have them with my three kiddos & hubbie. Yikes! I would be washing them everyday! You have saved many a women from that heartache from this post!
Thank you for your honesty!
I am actually getting ready to slipcover my sofa any suggestions on fabric & color with my young family????
Thanks so much in advance!
Love your blog!
I don’t have tiny kids anymore, but we do have lots and lots of people over. I have a white couch (which was actually supposed to be cream, but that’s another story!) and I DID buy an extra set of pillow covers for it. That way, if they get dirty, I just pop those off and get them cleaned. The other part of the cover only needs a clean every 5-6 mos or so.
I did have the blue jeans problem, but only with relatively new jeans. The blue washed right out though. White is not for everyone, but here in California, where it’s not wet all the time, it works. Love your blog!
Lidy
.-= frenchgardenhouse´s last blog ..Baby Hummingbirds =-.
Finally the truth about white slipcovered furniture. I’ve seen them highly touted at times but never having them, I knew there had to be some disadvantages as well. I have been in lust over white slipcovered sofas for several years now and they are finally on my horizon. So your post is perfect timing, Melissa! I am so happy to know these important facts so I can be prepared. I owned a white sofa and loveseat back when my three children were younger. and had to have it professionally cleaned several times a year to make it look presentable. What was I thinking? But now that my children are grown and gone, white slipcovered sofas are on the top of our list, even with seven grandchildren who will visit. We plan to purchase two sets of slips — one in another color so we can change it up some. So thank you so much for this very informative post. Now I know exactly what to expect and how to deal with it. Thank you! Thank you!
I knew there was a reason I covered my sofa in red matelasse!!!! Seriously, I used to be a VERY CLEAN neat freak. And I still do take care of things that I love. I’m not sure (as much as I love them) that white slipcovers are the right thing right now with 9 yr old twin boys and a 20 month old baby girl!!! I think I will compromise and slipcover the chairs in my bedroom!
Thank you for the insight. I think I’ll save my need for them when we are empty nesters. Mine would look pretty disgusting!
Kristi
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..The Home Front Cafe (warning PIC HEAVY!) =-.
Thank you for being honest! Personally, I can’t think of anything more impractical than white slipcovers. All those people in magazines who say, “nothing to it, I just throw them in the wash whenever they get dirty” are either stretching the truth (lying) or are trying to protect the goofy decision their decorator made. I can’t imagine zipping them off, doing 3 or more laundry loads of slipcovers, (sofa and chairs) then wrestling them back onto the cushions.