Last year we purchased a sectional sofa with clean lines and best of all, removable and washable upholstery. Even though the tag said it was ok to do so, we were still shy about using our washer to get things clean. Curiosity won in the end, so we tossed them in — said a silent prayer — and hit start!
We originally purchased our ridiculously large sofa (over 15 feet total!) from a dealer in KC, just before the holiday season last year. Since then we've moved lofts, had flooding and an influx of slime and grime from not only our previous building, but both of our dogs and normal wear and tear as well.
We chose this particular grey shade intentionally to keep the appearance of dirt and staining away. It's actually done an amazing job at hiding the occasional muddy paw print that we didn't really didn't know just how dirty the covers really were. Yes, even Apartment Therapy Editors accumulate dirt occasionally — though we're still not positive Martha Stewart does.
The tag on our fabric was imprinted with a "W" implying it could be cleaned with water. Make sure to read up on the different upholstery codes before tossing your fabrics in the wash! We unzipped all of our pillows and unvelcro-ed the panels that covered the body of the sofa. We used our regular detergent on our silk/satin setting, which means the water stayed warm (not hot) and the load didn't spin at as fast of revolutions per minute. (Note: Our washer isn't a moon, it's really a space station!)
They looked great after the wash cycle and against out better judgement *gasp* put the pieces in the dryer! We checked on them every 10 minutes to make sure they were doing ok and they finished their drying time on low heat/delicates to ensure nothing funny happened.
We vacuumed off our pillow inserts, don't ask us how they already managed to get dog hair on them and slid the covers back on. Since more than one load was required, we got a good look at the difference between the post and pre-washed fabrics. I wouldn't have told you they were dirty before we started and didn't have the guts to post a comparison photo when all was said and done! Some things are best left off the internet!
So make sure you take the time to clean your upholstery, even if it can't be thrown in the wash as easily as ours, it's a great way to reduce allergens in the home and stay on top of things and will keep furniture looking like new! Don't forget to check our archives if you need tips on cleaning a specific fabric or stain.
(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)
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We built our sofa and use the Ikea Lillberg sofa cushions- mainly because of the washable covers. SO WORTH IT!! Within a week, our pup lost a tooth and got a bit of blood on one of them- came out perfect in the wash. It was also the only reason I dared to go white- and I'm so glad I did!
'the occasional muddy paw" -- sigh. Our golden retriever llikes to rub his dirt-filled fur the length of the (once) white sofa. They wash, but not sure how much if any bleach I could add to help.
You can wash most covers. Just use cold water with a gentle detergent and air dry. A good tip for putting covers back on a stubborn seat...turn your cover completely inside out and work your way back in.
I've done this. I bought a microsuede couch last year, and I have two cats, one dog, and a little kid... So, yeah, despite being careful, there have been messes! All the cushions are zippered, so I just pull them off, wash on gentle, and let dry outside. ;)
"They wash, but not sure how much if any bleach I could add to help."
Oxyclean is far safer for washables -
It won't make whites yellow the way chlorine bleach often does.
"You can wash most covers."
So untrue. I wouldn't put anything in the washer that wasn't specifically labeled as such - and even then drycleaning is probably a better idea to prevent fading and fraying.
I'd also make sure that all zippers are zipped before cleaning so that fabrics don't snag and seams come undone.
One of the best finds of my life was a gray leather sofa in PRISTINE condition at our local Salvation Army for $75. It's the type of design where every piece unzips off the main body (even the back cushions and arm cushions) and the individual leather covers can be removed. Leather isn't my favorite upholstery choice, but with four dogs and foster puppies, it's the only reasonable choice for us right now.
WELL, a couple of months ago our largest dog ate some bad squirrel (I'm guessing) and while sitting on our leather couch, threw up all over himself, our Smooth Fox Terrier mix, and the couch. The smell!! I bathed both dogs twice. I surface cleaned that sofa with increasingly more serious products trying to exorcise the acidic vomit/dog smell. To no avail.
Finally, I unzipped all of the leather covers and threw them in the washing machine. I figured that if the couch was ruined, it was ruined. We couldn't live with it smelling like it did. I put the covers in the dryer with no heat to wring out some of the remaining moisture and then proped them up over the backs of our kitchen chairs to try out the rest of the way for a day or two. IT WORKED!!!
On another note. One time I washed some hemp chair covers using Oxy Clean. I love Oxy Clean for all sorts of enzymatic stains (pet urine, blood, feces...it happens). I had washed these hemp chair covers many times with standard detergent. This time, with the Oxy Clean, they came out damaged -- chemical type moth holes.
What is this fabulous sectional you own?!?!? I'm moving into a big house with children and looking for something similar. Thanks!
i'll put in my request for the couch source, too - i love it!!
I read this last night and on a whim decided to throw my covers in the wash. We have a great Crate and Barrel couch that has been through 2 dogs and a baby and was in desperate need of some love. I kept putting off dry cleaning because of the expense, but something needed to be done to clean this thing. I was tired of covering with a blanket. I figured if it didn't work I'd just go out and get a slip cover. But it worked great. It doesn't look brand new. Our dog drool is a tough one. But I know it's clean! So glad I read this and finally took the plunge.
Who created the sofa?
We just bought a white leather and hate it... Impulse buy while on vaca in Miami... shipped up here to NY... to small, slippery.
Would love to get a white sofa with removable covers for easy clean-up!
Who is the manufacturer and model or that sofa!?!?! LOVE the ultra wide arms and back!
We buy our sofas from Ikea for the exact reason that we can throw the whole thing in the washing machine (we have 2 dogs and frequent guests). We dress up the Ikea sofas with fancy pillows, etc and everyone is shocked when we say our sofas are from Ikea.
I was wondering this very thing the other day when my cat puked on my Corona sofa from Macy's for the millionth time. Yes, they give you a fabric care package, but...come on. It's puke. I don't trust that a sponge and some mild detergent is getting all of it out.
I'm going to check the tags when I get home, but I may just give it a shot...
I second the Ikea sofa love! We have the classic ektorp with multiple cover choices...and when the puppy pees/vomits/gets diarreha on the sofa, knowing you can whip the cover off and wash it is priceless! But check the process of cover removal before you buy! Some slipcovers only come off if you dissasemble the sofa frame. Not the thing to learn when you're frantically trying to get the mess off before is sinks into the cushions!
This post makes me even surer about not getting a dog someday - gag!