Today we are talking about how to wash Ikea slipcovers and how to keep slipcovers clean. I have an Ektorp slip cover sofa with a Lofallet beige couch cover and you will be surprised at how easy it is to keep it fresh and clean.

This is my slipcover sofa in my living room. It is so much better than any sofa I have ever owned as far as keeping it clean. I have always wanted white furniture but wouldn't even consider it unless I could wash it.

The first time I had to wash my slipcover I was afraid it was going to shrink or come out looking like a mess. But to my surprise, it came out beautiful.

Here is how to wash Ikea slipcovers and how I have kept it clean.

How to Wash Ikea Slipcovers

The good news about Ikea couch covers is that they are machine washable and the cleaning method is very easy. This tutorial works on a new cover or old washable slipcover and a cover for the Ikea Ektorp chair.

Let's start with when is the best time to clean a slipcover sofa. I think the evening is a good time after the kids are in bed or on a day when everyone is gone.

But don't let that stop you from starting any time.

As I said before I have the Ektorp Lofallet beige slipcovers. The material for all three of Ikea's slipcovers is of the same kind of fabric. Vittayd white cover and Nordvall dark gray, which is a dark color, can be wash in the same fashion.

Update: Recently I discovered that you can find a new slipcover to fit Ikea Ektorp in other places. Here are other color slipcovers that say they fit Ikea Ektorp.

Vacuum the Sofa

Before you begin taking the Ikea couch covers off take your vacuum cleaner and do spot cleaning by removing any loose dirt, hair, candy, pennies. Okay, you get the point.

No telling what treasures you will find under the cushions. LOL!

Remove the Slipcovers

I like to wash my slipcover in two loads because the entire slipcover is to much for my washing machine. Start with the couch cushions and remove the Ektorp seat cushion covers.

On the next load remove the body of the slipcovered couch. My washing machine is a larger drum and could hold them all but I think you get a better washing if the items inside have more room to agitate.

Toss a Blanket on the Couch

Remember me saying that you can wash your Ikea Ektorp sofa covers anytime? Well, here is how life goes on at our house even when the slipcovers are washing.

I toss an old comforter on the sofa until everything is clean. This keeps the exposed cushions from getting dirty and it is comfier to sit on.

How to Spot Clean Slipcover

Now grab your slipcovers and spray bottle and spray any spots with Spray n Wash or Shout. I let this spot sit for about 5 minutes and scrubbed it a little to see if the spot would remove.

It helps to take the extra time to spot clean to remove the spot before you toss it in the washer drum. This will assure that your spot is gone.

How to Wash Slipcovers in Washer

Before you toss in your Ektorp covers turn on some warm water, easy or gentle wash cycle, and add mild detergent and Oxy clean. I use All free and clear detergent but I believe any liquid detergent will work. If you have a Vittayd White sofa slipcover let me recommend Drift detergent.

When my girls were babies Drift was amazing at getting their whites white. Drift and chlorine bleach will work great on the Ikea Vittaryd white cover and deliver clean white slipcovers. I have read and heard where many people use bleach to whiten their slipcovers but my slipcover is off-white so I have not tried bleach.

I didn't use hot water because hot water can sometime shrink fabrics. And I didn't use cold water because warm water will help loosen dirt. So that is why I used warm water.

Let the Ikea sofa covers agitate a little on a gentle cycle and then open the lid and make sure the items are below the surface of the water.

Now let it wash like normal.

How to Dry Sofa Slipcovers

It is time to dry your slipcovers. This is another simple step. After the washing is complete take the slipcovers and shake each one out and toss it in your dryers.

Put your dryer on 15 minutes on medium or low heat and start the dryer. I use medium heat.

When they are finished drying lay them on a clean bed and turn on the ceiling fan. Let them air dry one side for an hour and then turn them over and let them dry on the other side.

Now if you are planning to wash the body of the slipcovers go ahead and remove it and repeat all the washing steps and start washing the slipcover body.

How to Put on Ikea Ektorp Slipcovers

Next, if your slipcovers are not completely dry you can go ahead and put them back on the frame of the couch. It is actually a good thing that they are still slightly damp. Once on the sofa, it will help remove wrinkles.

Start with the body of the sofa which is easy to put the slipcover back on. There is velcro where the slipcover connects where the back and the seat connect. Start there and adhere to the velcro.

Then place the back and arms on and then neatly pull it all down into place. Now let's talk about how to put slipcovers on cushions.

The best way I know to put the slipcovers back on the cushions is to first put one end of the cushion into the cover and once it is inside a little turn it up where the slipcover is on top and start wiggling it down from one side then the other.

How to Keep your Slipcovers Clean

So here is my secret for keeping our slipcovers clean. Granted my daughters are older now and not having little ones makes this much easier to do.

Every week or two vacuum your sofa of any loose dirt, hair, food, and such. And if needed toss the cushion slipcovers in the wash every month or two. Our kids are grown now so we wash ours every six months. The material of the Ikea fabric is pretty durable and can withstand many machine washings.

I have found the need to wash the cushions slipcovers more than the body but keep an eye on the arms. They can get dirty quickly.

Conclusion

Well, I hope these steps have shown you how to wash Ikea slipcovers. Trust me it is very easy and the one thing I love the most about having a slipcover sofa is my sofa is clean.

No more clean house with the somewhat clean fabric on my sofa!!!

If you are thinking about purchasing slipcovered furniture, I have several posts that will help you decide. One post I share about the best slipcovered sofas from Pottery Barn to the Ektorp Ikea slipcover sofa. This is first-hand information about both.

I also share the top affordable slipcovered sofas. Ikea is the best value but there are other options. And last a round-up of the slipcovered sofa ideas other people slipcover sofas to help you see and learn from their experience.

I think you will love having one of these sofas. I feel like in our day and age we are cleaner than ever with our homes.

Last, one thing to consider. Most all sofas have removable cushion covers even if the body of the couch does not have a slipcover. You can try washing your cushion covers with these steps but you might want to only line dry your fabric and only use detergent with a little bit of oxy or no oxy. If you need to spot clean test the cleaner in a spot that is not noticeable to make sure it doesn't discolor the fabric.

Happy Decorating!