There is no doubt that IKEA sofa covers are extremely large in size and washing them is considered one of the messiest tasks to do. Various people have assumed that washing IKEA sofa covers is not even possible, especially if you consider it as a DIY project. Because of the mess and heavy size that comes with these sofa covers, people usually ask the question; can you machine wash IKEA sofa covers?
You will surely get all of your answers that will remove your wrong assumptions as well.
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Can IKEA sofa covers be washed?
One of the best things about IKEA sofa covers is that they are totally able to be washed but if you choose the right method, the task becomes easy as well.
You may think of washing IKEA sofa covers in a bathtub or any other thing like that but it will only make the process difficult or maybe impossible as well.
Using a washing machine is the best option as this is the only way you can get the job done in an efficient manner. A few things should be considered like the fabrics of the covers.
Some fabrics are extremely delicate while some become weak if wet. IKEA sofa covers of such fabrics should be washed in a bathtub using your hands.
Can dry clean only IKEA sofa covers be washed?
Dry clean sofa covers can be washed but experts suggest that this practice should not be exercised especially at home.
There are possibilities that IKEA sofa covers may not face any issues after washing as some sofas only label “dry clean only” for safety purposes but it is not the case with all fabrics.
Washing “Dry Clean Only” IKEA sofa covers can get some issues while sometimes ruining them all the way as well. Some most prominent issues may include:
Covers’ size may shrink
IKEA sofa covers can shrink while sometimes this shrinkage can mitigate the size of covers up to half of their original size. This is clearly a big issue especially when it comes to putting covers back on the IKEA sofa.
Fabric may stretch out
Sofa covers can enlarge in size and they will look worse when you put unbalanced covers on your sofas. This will be exactly like a sweater with long and hanging sleeves.
How often should I wash IKEA sofa covers?
As a general rule, experts and manufacturers recommend washing IKEA sofa covers at least twice a year which means that you should wash them every six months.
This recommended time period can be heavily affected by other factors such as the type of home, whether it is open or a closed one, amount of guests or people in your house, and sometimes weather conditions as well.
In places where getting dust inside your house is very common, you can perform some other practices that will surely help you to avoid washing IKEA sofa covers very often.
How to spot wash IKEA sofa covers?
Various solutions and mixtures are used for removing or washing a small area of IKEA sofa covers. This usually happens when you spill something on the covers while eating, painting, drinking, etc.
The best way is to immediately blot the area to remove excess liquid. Then use some vinegar, IPA, lemon juice, or simply warm water on the stain depending upon its nature and type of fabric as well.
Testing the solution on some hidden part of the covers’ fabric is recommended to see if it goes well with the garment.
How to machine wash IKEA sofa covers?
There is not much difference in washing IKEA sofa covers and other normal clothing in the washing machine. The only thing that may have an under-edge is the cover’s huge size and shiny color. Below is the process that will surely bring you the best results.
- Start by pre-processing which mainly includes taking the covers off the sofa without tearing them apart. Make sure you find the laundry detergent which includes no dyes, not even a little bit.
- Now put cold water in the machine and set it to the run cycle at a mini temperature. The composition will allow machines to wash IKEA sofa covers while protecting the fabrics as well.
- Although a 30 minutes cycle will be best to wash sofa covers, it is better to take the covers out of the machine after a cycle and rinse all the water thoroughly while running simple tap water on it.
- Give another run to IKEA sofa covers in the washing machine with the same procedure if there is still some dullness.
Can IKEA sofa covers be put in a dryer?
Talking about the standard rule set by IKEA itself, it is always a better option to let your sofa cover air dry without any direct sunlight or extreme heat.
But the fact is that you can put IKEA sofa covers in the dryer as well while keeping the temperature at a low level. The heat for IKEA sofa covers should be minimum even if it takes longer than usual.
The reason behind not recommending a dryer for IKEA sofa covers is that most of these are manufactured using extremely delicate and soft fabrics to give a comfortable feel to the person who sits on sofas.
Although the practice of putting sofa covers in the dryer is now becoming very common in households, high heat and letting covers stay in the dryer for a long time can bring unpleasant results as well.
How to prevent IKEA sofa covers from dust?
- The best way is to vacuum your IKEA sofa covers at least thrice a week if not daily. This practice will take out most of the dust from the fabric which will ultimately help you avoid washing the covers.
- The other way is to keep the doors and windows shut especially if the air is blowing heavily outside and dust is revolving in the atmosphere.
- Buy IKEA sofa covers with flat fabrics because the ones with fur are more prone to attracting dust and keeping it in their depths as compared to flat surfaced fabrics.