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HOW TO WASH IKEA SLIPCOVERS AND KEEP THEM CLEAN

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers. Clean any loose debris with a vacuum cleaner.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers. Remove the slipcover from the cushions.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers. Remove the slipcover from the body of the slipcover.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers. Place the cushions back on the sofa and cover it with a comforter and blanket.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcovers. Spot clean any soiled areas.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcover. Start wash on warm and add oxi clean and 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.

How to wash Ikea slipcover. Start wash on warm and add oxi clean and detergent.

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.

How to wash Ikea slipcover. Toss the slipcover in the dryer on medium for 15 minutes.

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

How to wash Ikea slipcover. Toss the slipcover in the dryer on medium for 15 minutes.

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!

How to Wash Ikea Slipcovers

How to Wash Ikea Slipcovers

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

An easy to follow step by step guide on how to remove, spot clean, wash, dry and install slipcovers.

Materials

  • Spot cleaner like Spray n Wash
  • Oxy Clean
  • Detergent

Tools

  • Top load washing machine
  • Dryer

Instructions

  1. Begin by vacuuming the cushions and body of the couch.
  2. Remove the cushion slipcovers
  3. Spot clean any stains on the cushion slipcovers
  4. Add warm water, detergent and oxy clean to water
  5. Add cushion slipcovers to water and agitate the water and make sure the slipcovers are under the waterHow to wash Ikea slipcovers in a top load washer
  6. Let the wash cycle run
  7. Remove the body of the slipcovered sofa
  8. Spot clean any stains
  9. Once the washer is complete remove the cushion covers and place them in the dryer
  10. Set the dryer to medium heat for 15 minutes How to wash Ikea slipcovers by using dryer setting of medium heat and 15 minutes
  11. Grab the body covers and repeat the washing process just like you did for the cushion coversHow to wash Ikea slipcovers in a top load washer
  12. While the body is washing and the cushion covers are drying place the cushions back on the sofa and place a blanket over the sofa so the family can use it.How to wash Ikea slipcover
  13. Once the cushion covers are finished place them out flat on your bed with the fan on to continue to dry for 20 minutes
  14. Turn the covers over and dry another 20 minutes
  15. Once the body is finished washing place it in the dryer on medium for 15 minutes.How to wash Ikea slipcovers by using dryer setting of medium heat and 15 minutes
  16. After the body is dry place it back on the sofa
  17. Then after the cushion covers are dry place them back on the sofa
  18. And you are finished!!!! Yay!!!

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Did you make this project?

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Pam

Wednesday 31st of August 2022

Is this ALSO for covers that say they need to be dry cleaned? The fiber content is 50% rayon/viscose, 30% linen & 20% polyester. Says on label do not wash nor dry in machine.

Linda McDonald

Thursday 1st of September 2022

What Ikea sofa do you have? Is it the Ektorp? That is the sofa I have and the cover for it. Also, when I was in college interior design school, I took a textiles class. The professor said that rayon and polyester are safe to dry in a dryer on low settings. Linen does shrink but with it only being a small amount in your fiber content I think you will be safe to wash and dry like I did on my Ikea slipcovers. But if you want to play it real safe I would wash in cold and hang dry. I hope this helps!

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