My inbox has been flooded with questions about my slipcovers so it's time to dish. Pre-children, we bought these lovely cream colored, microfiber sofas. The sales lady told me that microfiber is super kid friendly (for when our kiddos came). She lied. I was constantly scrubbing these babies to get dirt out. And let it be known that I don't think we're dirty people either. We don't wear shoes in the house, we don't eat on the sofas and we don't have pets. Nonetheless, the sofas always looked spotty to me.
I invested in some Sure-Fit slipcovers. Once I got them on on (1 1/2 hours worth of fitting, tucking, steaming, etc.) they were lovely. Then my husband plopped down on the sofa and it looked like a wrinkled mess. They came untucked, then they were baggy and I was mad.
So my options were either purchasing new sofas, having my sofas re-upholstered or having custom slipcovers made. I did the latter and haven't regreted it since. Custom slipcovers are def. the way to go. They fit perfectly and no puddling of excess fabric. With my hard-core, DIY attitude I thought I could do them myself so I bought a how-to dvd online... I later threw in the towel and had them made. Going the custom route can cost anywhere from $300.+. depending on what kind of detail you want.
People always ask me what possesed me to choose white with children. Here's my thing. Many of my friends (sorry to "out" you my friends) have dark sofas. They are great for hiding dirt and mess. The thing is, even though the sofa looks clean I know very well thay they are filthy. You would never not wash your bed sheets regularly. Yet I see kids with their faces directly on the sofa watching tv and all I can think is GROSS! With slipcovers you can take the whole thing off and wash it. With white I can even bleach all the germs and stains right out them. Yes, my kids jump, wrestle and sometimes nap and the sofas and I have no issues with them getting ruined.
If you decide to do slipcovers here are a few tips on getting the most out of them.
1. Pre-shrink your fabric by washing it first before your slipcovers are made.
2. When your slipcovers need a wash don't dry them completely because they won't fit. Put them on your sofa slighly damp and snug. That way when they dry they will fit perfectly.
3. I tuck pieces of foam in the cracks and crevices of my slipcovered sofa. The foam just helps grasp they fabric so it doesn't shift or move around.
4. If you choose white, don't bleach them too often. Suprisingly, over bleaching will yellow your slipcovers. I like to use Oxy clean for a crisp white look.
A lot of you have asked how I keep my house looking so tidy.
Here's my answer: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I have two boys who know how to make a good old fashioned mess. From 7pm to 6am my house looks lovely (because they are asleep). The rest of the time it often looks like disaster central. Every surface in my house MUST be washable or wipeable. I have a hand held dust-buster that works overtime. I also do touch up paint monthly on my walls because apparently I have budding artists.
Dang, I think I just ruined the impression you all had that I was perfect.
So there!
(Hope that helps).
My new little side table.
I must not be alone in my thinking:
Can you imagine how much this bed would go for in a boutique store? $300.00 is a steal!
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