White Slipcovers with Kids | An Honest Review After 5 Years
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- We have had white slipcovers with kids for over five years now. I share my thoughts on how we keep them clean and how difficult they are to maintain.
This post contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Drop Cloth I Use for Slipcovers can be found here- amzn.to/2uVkxhR (affiliate link)
The black wall lamps can be found here: amzn.to/2Jr9ujN
Jute rug- amzn.to/2HfAfH5
The shirt I'm wearing is from Old Navy: rstyle.me/n/c2... (light wash)
More on the blog: farmhouseonboo...
Check out all my slipcover tutorials
How to Slipcover a Wingback Chair- • How to Slipcover a Win...
Ruffle Bench Slipcover Tutorial- farmhouseonboo...
Slipcover for a Wooden Bench- • DIY How to Sew a Bench...
Parsons Chair Slipcover- • How to Sew a Parsons C...
WANT TO START YOUR OWN BLOG?
Learn how our family supports ourselves full-time on our homestead with our blog and UA-cam channel in my FREE blogging success masterclass: www.farmhouseo...
Watch my FREE essential oils class: bit.ly/farmhouseoils
Get access to my subscriber library with all my free ebooks and printables- www.farmhouseo...
White slipcovers. You love them or you hate them. Chances are if you're hanging around on Pinterest these days you've definitely seen plenty of them.
The sheer sight of them makes moms of little ones wince in distress. Based on the questions I get almost daily on UA-cam, Instagram and Facebook most people make the assumption that they are impossible to keep clean. Some have even remarked that keeping up with white slipcovers is probably a full-time job. I'm sure you've probably heard a horror story or two.
As a proud owner of bleached white slipcovers for going on 6 years now, this November to be precise, I have a thing or two to say about white slipcovers in a home full of children.
Why I love white slipcovers
Price
Have I ever showed you, my dear blog readers, what is underneath my bleached white, hand-sewn slipcovers? Probably not. It feels a little like showing my face without makeup, my kitchen with a sink full of dirty dishes, the pile of laundry on my daughters' floor..you get my drift. It ain't pretty.
Every piece of furniture in my living room is a second hand find. The couch was, I believe, around $80. It used to have a matching love seat, which I also made a slipcover for. I sold that for 20-ish, so I think my all-in for the couch is in the neighborhood of $60. The bench was a $20 find, and the wingback chairs were each $20. So, $120 for the whole motley crew.
Mismatched furniture + bleached drop cloth= an entire set of matching living room furniture with a price tag under $200.
Can't. beat. that.
Washable
Let's face it. Every single color gets dirty. Beige, gray, green. Nothing is immune to getting a little dingy every now and then. This is not an exclusively white problem.
The beautiful thing about white slipcovers? They are removable AND bleach-able.
They get dirty, yes, but then I can take them off and get them looking new again.
White slipcovers are Pretty
You know that's why you're reading this article in the first place. You want white slipcovers, because they're so dang pretty. They have that farmhouse and cottagey vibe that Joanna Gaines made so popular in the last couple years. They look relaxed and lived in, not too stuffy or formal. Add a little tie, some piping, or maybe a ruffle or two, and you have a real homespun look on your hands.
How to clean white slipcovers
Spray spots with liquid oxygen cleaner.
Wash on hot, with only one rinse cycle.
Hang in the hot sun to harness its bleaching power.
If the slipcover is extra dirty, add two cups of bleach during the washing process.
I like to avoid the extra rinse cycle because slipcovers do accrue some wear and tear with each additional wash/rinse/spin cycle. The bleached fabric does lose stability over time. That being said, my couch slipcover is going on six years old and its still going strong.
Every single time I put my stained up slipcovers in the wash (It takes a pretty dirty slipcover to spring me into action) I think this is going to be the time they don't come clean. Surely, one too many blueberry stained hand has made its mark. I repeatedly stand amazed.
Get the rest of the article here: farmhouseonboo...
My video equipment:
Camera- amzn.to/2BebVEO
Lens- amzn.to/2C2cKwY
Lights- amzn.to/2C1H8rt
Microphone- amzn.to/2s9EobG
Tripod- amzn.to/2C1KFpJ
Business inquiries: lisa@farmhouseonboone.com
Music: Acoustic/Folk Instrumental by Davide Hyde
I love them! I love how white reflects light in photos too, so they always look clean when taking photos 💜 We use blankets a lot on our furniture too! It works great!!
Amy Fewell - The Fewell Homestead
I never thought of the picture aspect! You are so right!
Looks Beautiful! I had white slip covers when my kids were little and I loved being able to wash everthing.
I still have all white linen slip covers in my room that I washed the other day and everthing looks so fresh.
I love watching your channel. So creative yet so simple.
Thank you so much Christina!
The white looks so good! I need to do this in our living room. I'd love to see a video or blog post on how you slip covered your couch!
Thank you! For the couch I used the exact same method as the chairs, which I showed here: ua-cam.com/video/YPL8Uf0EBPI/v-deo.html Since all couches are slightly different in shape and size, its more of a method than a pattern. :)
Thank you for your honesty, I so appreciate when someone is real, and not trying to pretend they have it all togather all of the time. You have a very balanced approach to your house , cleaning and kids. The most important thing we can give our children is our time and our love....Not a absolutely Perfect house. 😊
Thank you so much!
Fabulous, thank you for such a honest and thoughtful presentation of your experience.
I wish my wonderful kids had a mom that was able to find such a great way to make them comfortable while having pretty things. I was too uptight. Moms need to let kids be kids.
Don't you just LOVE that smell of freshly laundered slip covers? Mmmmm...the whole room smells clean and fresh! :)
Oh yes!
Addictive!
They always look beautiful!! True farmhouse look 😉.
Yes, yes, and YES!! I can't imagine year in and year out sitting on unclean, unsanitized seating. I'm a member of the slipcovers forever club.🙂
Based on your video, I got the drop cloth from Amazon, I had to use bleach in the tub I used 1 gallon for both of drop cloths, I soaked them individually just after the hot bath. Then, I washed them again. It took 2 hrs per cloth of 9x12. Loved the results
I love my white washable Ikea Ektorp sofa!With kids,dog,cat...and It is still so nice and clean.I wash it anytime I see some spots, I can wash just part of the sofa(6 cushions and the base,plus smaller storage extensions).So easy and comfortable,looks so sooo clean and luxury,color doesn't change,I can bleach it...So, You are absolutely right with white covers!:-)
I have the white IKEA slipcover sofa and chair and I LOVE it. I use the blanket trick too, but I'd do that on any couch bc I think it looks so much cozier. My couch is easy to clean and they come out beautifully. I do mine about every three months. Between that time I will just wipe them down with some detergent very diluted in warm water. It actually works really well to keep them from getting too grimy, just make sure to use very little detergent! I have two kids and I'm not psycho about them staying away either- my only rule is no pens or coloring supplies on the couch! If you're getting a colored slipcover you have to be careful about spot cleaning bc the color can get uneven- white is the way to go!
Lol!! You are so cute. I am a granny and my biggest problem with my white slip covers is PawPaw!! I’m not real fussy either, but mine get washed about once a month!
Haha pawpaw!! 😂😊
Ha! You mean your dogs, I assume. I have PawPaw trees but they are not allowed in the house!
Do you have a slipcover tutorial for a couch?
I love this!! We have been planning on getting some new furniture for our living room, but slipcovers are a MUST in my opinion (at least it is if you have kiddos) 😂 I am definitely not able to have pure white without losing my sanity between washes 😅 so we are planning on getting a charcoal grey color for our space! Still neutral and cozy, and can still fit in with farmhouse decor if styled properly 🌷
Especially if they are
Beautiful! I also had an Ikea slipcovered sofa and it was so versatile with the white slipcover. I washed it about every four months with all the entertaining that went on in that room but it still held up great. Love whit slip covers!
I hear the IKEA ones are great!
I love slipcovers on everything! I wish I had the patience to sew my own. 😊
They can be trying, but worth it in the end!
Domer Home where do purchase yours? I have a couch and loveseat I would love to slip cover.
I got Pottery Barn sofas and chairs on Facebook Marketplace. They come with slip covers!
annetterae7 I got mine at Amazon, and good price.
Love the neutrals. It looks so cozy. Looks good enough to be featured in County Living magazine! Keep up the good work. Love your videos. Thanks, Bye!
Aww thanks!
ok I just watched your video that answered my question. Thank you for the tutorial!
I love having slipcovers over our couches and loveseat from Ikea...I wish I could sew because I have a loveseat and two armchairs from World Market that I'd love to slipcover. I have 4 kids, 3 cats, 1 dog and many little neighbor friends so having the ability to just "let it go" and know I can wash them relieves any anxiety over messes ;)
I actually think biege /white chairs & rugs go better with kids😮 I'm going to go against the grain here... I'm not the best home cleaner and I allow my children to eat on the sofa and I have had from chocolate to koolaid spilled on my stuff. If you have a heathered or textured white beige, it can be cleaned with regular DT carpet cleaner.
I AGREE 100% with if you flip out about every spill & white. I do have a brown leather sofa and that helps
You sound just like your sister Laura. I enjoy both of y’all’s channels. ❤️❤️
I love your home and you're right it's always looked clean and fresh to me. I bought new sofas last year and need to protect the bottom cushions because although l could wash them the rest of sofa isn't washable. So I want to avoid them getting to bad in the first place. On one sofa l placed a throw in a similar colour and on the other a lovely soft sheep skin. I like how they look and I'm happy it overall. You are a wonder on the sewing machine, I'm not so confident and am pretty sure slip overs would be beyond me. I'm pleased you have an instructional video though just in case I'm forced to make some in the future. Thank you for another enjoyable vlog, so relaxeing! 💛💛💛
Thank you so much! :) If you start trying slipcovers just know the first one might not be so great, but they get easier every time you try it!
I use "Awsom" to wash mine...
it's only $1.00 at the Dollar Store!!
I just cleaned cushions that were in a 47 year old
Travel Trailer ... super dirty... The Awsom did the trick.
Beautiful home and family ♡
Thank you so much!
Love it!! It always looks so bright cheery and clean! Slip covers scare me 😬. Thanks for sharing. Holly
Love your slipcovers. I have all drop cloth slipcovers. I had them made.
You have inspired me to get out m sewing machine and try this! I don't want to spend money one new furniture but need a lighter look to my living room. Thank you! I wondered if it would work to have white with kiddos.
Very practical, helpful, and encouraging, thank you!
Absolutely LOVE your wing back covers 🤗💕
I love your home, it is beautiful. You're an inspiration.
Thank you so much Sam!
I love your slipcovers. They’re so fresh and airy looking. I haven’t attempted sewing slipcovers. It’s one of those things I’m afraid of. 😬 Now I have the Ikea Ekthorp couches and I love their slipcovers, so well made and inexpensive enough to change out to a different color. I have dark gray for fall/winter and a pale khaki color for spring/summer. Maybe one of these days I will be brave enough to attempt a slipcover. 🙌🏻 Love your videos.
The IKEA ones are great! And not really too expensive. :)
you've inspired me to make my own. we are getting new floors soon and I think between that and slipcovers It's gonna look like a brand new house
Oh yes! They really do change the whole look of the room. :)
White slipcovers are awesome! People thought I was crazy to buy a white slipcovered sofa, but I as the best decision ever. The slipcovers come right off, go in the wash with OxyClean and bleach, and come out looking brand new.
Yes!!
love these slipcovers
Hey you could probably tie dye it too! I could see instead of using a blanket to make your own throw with a piece of drop cloth sewing hems on the outside and maybe folding in half then sewing it or "quilting" it closed and the outsides. I am encouraged to do this cause I've been looking on surefit and I'm not too crazy about them and the price.. a drop cloth looks like it may be a better option...and I won't stress about it.
You have the exact same white throw blanket that I have in my livingroom! 💕
Me too!
I love your home and all colors, cozy and conforted
Thank you so much!
Couch and love seat slipcover tutorial please!
I need to get on that!
Hi Lisa, great video. Since I have subscribed I have fallen in love with your slipcovers! I just purchased my first two slipcovers. Can't wait till I put them on. Would love to sew my own, but I am a very beginner sewer and worry about really messing up.
They are a little tricky, but once you sew a few you get familiar with how they go together. I bet you will love your slipcovers!
Do you have a video on slipcovers for the sofa? I see one for benches, wingback chairs, but not for the sofa? May I have a link?
I do not, but it is the exact same process. You just follow the shape of the furniture, so this tutorial works for both! :)
I have always loved the white look, I have been afraid to have white until I watched your video! I want to make skip covers now! How many drop cloths would I need for a love seat? And where is the best place to buy them from? I love your videos! Keep up the great work!
Lisa I absolutely love your home. Is there a tutorial for how to slipcover the couch and how hard to sew?
Love your style!!
Liza, I speak english a little. Very little, in the really. Also don't know to write but I like a lot your channel . I learn enough with you. I watch the channel, I try understand and I get it some things. And try make comments too...rsrs...So, I'm so sorry for my gramatic mistakes but I just to say that I like very much of your channel. Thank you so much
Thank you so much Gi!
Gi Santos , you do just fine some of us like me don’t write to well either, at least you try and that’s what’s important ! 👍💕🦋🌈👵🏻🐈🕊🕊🕊🖖👽👍
I guess you know, to be very careful with bleach in laundry: first mix it with water in a container. Then add that to your filled washer. Have it ‘swish around’ a few seconds, then add fabric. Btw, I really love your videos!
Thanks Terri!
I so love your videos. Thank you.
Hi Lisa I have 4 dogs and raise puppies for a living! My couches are destroyed but they still have really good bones and they were expensive! I have tried a few different slip covers to cover up the destruction but none have worked. Do you know if I measure them and buy the drop clothes where I can have them made to fit? Do you take orders can I pay you to make them?! I can't sew at all but can use the sewing tape. I love the look of yours!
I checked out the link u have on Amazon 4 the slip covers. What size did u use and how much did it cost if I may ask ?! Thanks so much!! Also I'm not gonna sew im planning on tucking them into a chaise and a love seat as i do not own a sewing machine. Any tips on tucking vs sewing?!
such clever ideas Lisa! I love the uniform look of your living room, and will definitely try bleaching drop cloths once we are at a place with a sewing machine.
Thanks Kati!
I have a red microfiber couch with recliners in it. I loved it four years ago. Now I wish I had something different. It looks good, but not very farmhouse.
I am looking to buy a slip covered sofa. I like the look. I don’t have a house ful of kids, I have one adult (21) daughter & a messy husband & lots of cats. I don’t see, but will look for someone who can. Our new house will look good with whites & I love the airy, clean look! Plus if my cats scratch at it, I can replace it, rather then replace an entire sofa & chairs!!
(Don’t sew )
Hi Gina,
Maybe this slipcover from Amazon will work from your couch? amzn.to/2YqC7oO
That was so encouraging! I'm new to sewing and I would love to eventually cover my couch and loveseat. Is there a good tutorial for that? Or will your other slipcover tutorials give me enough techniques to be able to figure it out?
Yes, the wingback chair slipcovering video should help. Its the same process! :)
Farmhouse on Boone Thank you!
I want to make some slipcovers for my 20 yr old plaid sofas but wondering if the color will show through the white dropcloth?
Hi! I love your slipcovers but when I went to look at the amazon link to the drop cloth (I can't believe you made these from drop cloths! They look so pretty!!) the fabric looks light tan. Did you put bleach in them to make them white? Is it just the lighting in the video? I really want to try this!
Wow your such a good seamstress, luv your videos & tips
Thank you!
You almost had me talked into white furniture and then I remembered... we have a farm. Haha! Between taking care of the animals and the garden we always have dirt on us and it wouldn’t last a week, much less 6 months. However, I’m thinking a light tan might... hmmm...
Since dropcloth has been so economical for you, I wonder if you'd find making a second set of covers beneficial. (I did watch your video on how you covered the wingback). It might even be worth your while to make a pattern.
Hi, thank you for sharing your talent. Would you PLEASE, PLEASE do a video tutorial on the slip cover for the sofa shown in your living room. Thank you!!!
wonderful video thank you!! Would you prefer slipcovered vs. white leather? I am so torned between two.
probably slipcovered!
You mentioned oxy powder and washing soda, do you use those in addition to a laundry detergent? I live in an old farmhouse too and we have well water and because of that I don't use liquid bleach for fear it will turn the fabrics blue...personal experience. LOL I have always used borax in addition to laundry detergent but I am looking for something better.
I have white slip covers on my sofa and love seat and love them!!!! I have nine year old twin BOYS. They are not allowed to eat on the slip covers or put dirty feet on them. The only thing that gets a little annoying is they don’t seem to fit as well after I wash them.
They are hard to get on the first couple times. Mine are so worn now, they seem to fit fine. :) Gotta love washable with boys in the house!
Do you have any advice on washing linen slip covers?
Do you pre-shrink the drop cloths before making them into slipcovers? Also, do you wash them in cold water when you wash them after they get dirty? Thanks :)
www.farmhouseonboone.com/how-to-make-drop-cloth-perfectly-soft-and-white
www.farmhouseonboone.com/my-experience-with-slipcovering-a-wingback-chair
Lisa, I just love your videos! Have you had any problems with the drop cloth fabric pilling? I had a slipcover made from bleached drop cloth but after about 6 months it started to pill pretty bad. Just wondering if I used the wrong kind the first time. I have since switched to the brand you use from Amazon, but haven't made a new slipcover with it. Would appreciate any tips or advice you could give. Thanks!
Thank you for the response! I will give your linked drop cloth a go and see how it turns out!
I love the wingbacks with the slipcovers! I just moved to KC, Missouri, we love it here. I am working on my garden as well would love to chat with you on any tips you may have. Ciao!
We are in MO also!
Please tell up sometime how you learned to sew. You do beautiful work! I enjoy your videos, your home, and your precious family. Thank you for sharing! 💕
Thank you Terry! It has just been tons of practice over the last 10 years. I just love it, so I do it all the time!
You can always have them steam clean the chairs. I would get tired of washing them all the time. Materials are better than it was years ago. I get my recliners clean once a year and it works for me.
Never thought about steam cleaning!
Always enjoy your videos. Loved the living room. Can you tell me about the carpet - what kind is it, where did you find it?
It is a jute rug. I linked it up above from Amazon. They have them all over the place. World Market, Target, maybe even Walmart. :)
Thank you!
Do you have a tutorial for a sofa slip cover? I have my canvas soak in bleach at the moment because I’m just about ready to make a slip cover for my large leather sofa that has tons of wear but still has tons of life. lol
I really need to do that! It is on the to do list. I followed the exact same process that I did for the wingback chairs. Since it is so custom, and dependent on the couch shape, these instructions may be enough for you: ua-cam.com/video/YPL8Uf0EBPI/v-deo.html
Hello,
I’ve been scouring the web. I have a leather couch where the cushions don’t remove at all. Now draping it, really doesn’t work well. Is there a way a can create a slipcover for it? Ty
Nicole Lago you may have already done everything by now. But leather is tough to slipcover because it doesn’t stay put. The fabric slides all over the leather. I think you have to put like shelving liners inside so they don’t slide and then it still is a pain.
AWESOME AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO LISA.... HAPPY SUNDAY.....CHRISTINA
LOVE!!! My dream room. Great job. ;()
I have the love seat that couch with the "ugly" green color . I think it's by Ashley Furniture. I loved the color at first but I got it reupholstered.
Would you do white kitchen cabinets again? I’m afraid those would get bad fast.
Yes, I sure would! :)
Farmhouse on Boone Good to know! Thank you!
I’d love to do this for our two piece- adjoining sectional sofa!! Sofa cover tutorial? Do you think doing this in grey would hold up?
I have experienced drop cloth material gets extremely wri led after washing. Do you iron yours after washing them?
Sometimes I do!
Hi there! We have a couch where the back cushions are not removable... every slipcover that I have found, is for couches with removable cushions (like IKEA). Do you know if it’s possible to slipcover our kind of couch? I am not a sewer... like, I have never sewn before.
Heather Bailey I have the same attached type of back cushions. Think I will take smaller sections of cloth and just sew an elastic or drawstring of some type to hold them on.
Can you scotch guard bleached drop cloth fabric?
Do you do drop cloth
curtains as well? That is an interesting idea.
Yes I sure do! ua-cam.com/video/nVQqzkb81zs/v-deo.html The curtains in my living room are IKEA white canvas though.
How did you make the couch drop cloth slipcover? ❤️
www.farmhouseonboone.com/my-experience-with-slipcovering-a-wingback-chair
Love your house. I would love to copy your style.
Ikea! Great furniture with slipcovers and affordable for us who are not handy with the sewing machine:)
Pia Maheras Agreed. We have a white Ektorp sofa and it’s super easy to keep nice looking.
So true!
Yup, only 2 toddler boys, but Ikea saves us.
If I did the Farmhouse on Boone simple gray could be a great alternative; less prone to showing spots, yet it goes well with the white furniture, etc.
I bought a large dropcloth and tried bleaching it and it didn't bleach out evenly. Is it ok to bleach again to wvwn out the coloring, or will it just make the part that's already lightened even lighter, making it still come out uneven in color? Any suggestions would be great. Also, If I wanted my dropcloths to be more of a tan/beige (to cover cushions on my patio), could I dye them successfully?
You can keep bleaching until they are as white as you like them. For the tan patio cushions I would just wash and dry the drop cloth, but leave it the color that it already is naturally. :)
Farmhouse on Boone Thanks for your help!
Well you do a great job. The house doesn't even look like you have any kiddos lol. I attempted the basket liners I did ok for my first time. I just made it a.little to big.
That's awesome! Trust me they will be better the next time around. It all just takes practice! :)
Have you ever done a video about slipcovering your couch?
I have not. I slipcovered my couch before I started my blog and UA-cam channel :)
@@FarmhouseonBoone Im about to do mine and there is no good videos. Im so nervous
I loved
Not sure if you'd be into something like this, but I've seen some UA-cam videos of people doing cleaning of their home. Maybe you could do something like that also? I enjoy watching your videos and would like to get cleaning tips from you also :)
Can you scotch guard the fabric? It may be looking into!
I have never thought about trying that! It might be a great solution.
You could probably spot clean between washes with diluted peroxide.
Loved tnis video AND your white slipcovers. I am the one who has leather furniture though. LOL...I'm not particular ENOUGH to have white slipcovers...I'd probably never wash them hehe. My leather just keeps on keepin on. ;)
Oh my gosh thats so funny Laurie! I didn't think about mentioning that! 😂😜
LOL!😋
Wow...I wash mine once every two weeks. I have 7 kids, 2 grown and on their own, 3 under the age of 8 in the house, and 2 fifteen year olds. No way could I go six months. Lol. It's worth it to me, though. I love this look, and was so tired of having brown leather for the last 26 years (the age of my oldest son ;))
I'm lazy about my slipcovers! LOL
Farmhouse on Boone Well, your house still looks beautiful!! I don't have that kind of house...lol I can't believe I forgot to mention my main reason for washing so often...I have 3 dogs...two are our 1-year-old Shepnios. They sneak on my couches allllll the time. I keep blankets on the couches for that reason, but these lil boogers move them around to get more comfy! Ugh...they have their own beds...but I'm sure they were sent here to drive me insane!! Lol
Farmhouse on Boone oh, and thank you for the Ikea curtain tip, btw! I was able to find the 110" size for my extremely tall bedroom windows. I love them!!!
And I meant Shepinois...lol. (German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois...very large 80 lb dogs).
I love the look of them but with 2 dogs I would have to clean these once a week >_
A blinding room
Hola, home tour house...!!
Bla bla,bla 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Love your style!
Thank you Melinda!