White couches have been popular for many years now. When I started getting the bug to go that direction I spent a lot of time scouring Pinterest, looking for insight into whether it would be a choice I would regret sooner than later. I read a lot of positive reviews and can’t say that I found any that were negative. Maybe because the people that weren’t happy with them didn’t take the time to write about it on their blog?? It seems like a lot of the information you find is on how great a product is, not how unhappy or disappointed that person was with the product or their choice. After all the positive reviews I decided to go for it, but I opted to go the more economical IKEA route rather than purchasing something that would cost several thousands of dollars. That way if I did decide it was a horrible mistake I wouldn’t feel as guilty about buying replacements.
I don’t just have a white couch, I have two white couches. Visitors to my home often think I am crazy and honestly, many are afraid to sit on my white couches. So if that is something that would bother you maybe a white couch isn’t for you. I do encourage visitors to sit on the couches and tell them that they wash easily and are likely already a bit dirty! On the flip side, many of the women that come into my home do like the look of the white couches and often compliment me on them, but follow up with something like “I could never have white couches” or “Those would never stay white in my house.” We are a family of five now with our oldest off to college and we have two French Bulldogs that we share our home with who do get on the furniture.
The truth is, the couches are not pristine white all the time. Most the time they are not. When I first got them I was a little cray-cray about keeping them clean. I was on the kids not to eat on them and I would go over them with a lint roller every couple of days. We did not have the Frenchie’s then either. Maybe I wouldn’t have been brave enough to get white couches if I had the pups at that time. Those days are long gone though. They do get eaten on and we do snuggle with the pups on them. Ever is white, so her hair doesn’t show up on the couches. I purposely chose a white pup for this reason! But then we added Blue to the mix, who is “blue” in color (gray actually). Her hair definitely shows up.
Proof that the pups enjoy snuggling on the couch with us!
This picture was taken a few days prior to the couches being washed.
My Cleaning Regimen
When we bought the white couches I bought an extra set of slip covers. I thought that we would surely stain them beyond mend and would need to be replacing covers on a fairly regular basis. However, that extra set of slip covers is still tucked safely away in the closet. It has been three years since we got the couches. I have relaxed quite a bit and would say that I wash the couches every four months now. It is quite a process, taking me the better part of a day. That is partially because I have two couches, not just one.
I start by grabbing my hand vacuum and vacuuming the cushions. I’ll admit, I get a bit freaked out when I can see the cleaner strip of white where I first run the vacuum. Every time I think “Oh wow, these were grubbier than I thought.” Maybe this process isn’t necessary, but I worry that if I were to throw them in the washer with the extra dirt in them that I can pull out with the vacuum I would essentially be washing them in muddy water and surely they won’t come clean. After I vacuum them I grab the lint roller and go over them. It’s amazing how much dog hair and blanket fuzz the vacuum leaves behind!
After removing the slip covers from the cushions I spot treat them with OxiClean stain spray. I add OxiClean powder to the washer, bleach and detergent. Another tip that is helpful is not to wash too many together at once. The more room in the washer to agitate the covers, the cleaner they will come. I check each carefully as I am pulling them out of the washer to ensure all the spots came out. I will usually have to throw one or two back in for another run through the washer with additional spot treatment. Now here is the most important tip – DON’T OVERDRY THEM! If you pull them out of the dryer at 70-80% dry they go back on super easy. However, if they get dried all the way, well – it’s murder to get them back onto the cushions/couch frame. Like work up a huge sweat, say several choice words and be all around grumpy the rest of the day!
Is It Worth It?
Mr. MM and I both work from home, so he is present to witness the couch washing fiasco. Yesterday was couch washing day. When I announced that it was on the agenda for the day he responded, “Oh No!” I’m not sure why, since I don’t solicit his help unless I get one too dry. I think he honestly just feels bad for me, knowing that it is going to monopolize the better part of my day.
I was visiting with a friend about the process and how grubby they had gotten, admitting my embarrassment for letting them get that dirty. Her response though was that she didn’t ever notice that they look dirty. She always thinks they look so nice and really brighten up the whole house.
That is where I am at as well – they brighten up the whole house. They feel light and airy and that makes me happy. For the day of discomfort of having to wash them every few months I get considerably more pleasure in return. Then when I think about how dirty they can get I am glad that I am able to slip the covers off and throw them in the wash. I guess its all in how you look at it – what is a negative to some is a positive to others.
What do you think? Do you have a white couch? Would you have a white couch?
