One of the things I am most often emailed about is our White Ikea Ektorp Sectional. People want to know if I like it, if it has held up, how is washes, and if I am glad we bought it.
Well, I am here to give you my honest review–after we’ve owned it for a year. I love this couch. I get to not worry about this couch at all, because it wasn’t expensive, it’s durable, and it’s completely washable. I treasure that I don’t have to be fussy about the couch. I have 3 boys, I can’t afford to be fussy about my couch.
It does take some care, I will be honest. It isn’t a couch that you can spill grape juice on and forget about. But, you can bleach the heck out of that baby.
See that stain up there? That is CRAYON. Not washable crayon, full-on waxy crayon. It’s no big deal though, I just use a little Spray ‘n Wash, some Oxyclean, and then a little bleach. It’s bright white again. No worries, no crazy momma, no freaked out kids when they make a mistake and a mess.
Every Tuesday we strip the slipcovers and pile up all the cushions. My kids look forward to this day every week…they use the cushions like a playground. I do one load of the bottom cushion covers, one load of the top cushion covers, and then one load of the full base cover. So, three loads total–I stay home most of the day, but it isn’t time intensive at all.
I only wash the base cover every other week. It is slightly unruly because of the size–and truly doesn’t get very dirty. When I was the slipcovers, I use Oxyclean, whatever detergent is cheap, and my favorite fabric softener. Every other week I use bleach, but I never bleach just one item. I only bleach when I am doing the whole load (top covers, bottom covers, and base cover). While bleach is a great whitener, it does break down the fabric fibers and needs to be used as seldomly as possible. For me, that is every other week.
Here are my thoughts, overall:
*I LOVE the price, $799.99 (and if you purchase now, you get a 15% IKEA gift card back)
*A replacement cover is only $99. I will probably purchase a new cover in another year.
*It has been extremely durable–my kids are constantly climbing and jumping around on the couch.
*The cushions have remained comfortable. Not as comfortable as some couches I’ve sat on, but for the price it is very acceptable. I slept on this couch many nights while I was pregnant.
*Nothing beats the smell of fresh laundry after I wash the slipcovers. It is a sweet ritual in our week–and makes the whole living room smell clean and fresh.
*I have had one tear in the slipcover, and it was near the zipper. I have since started to be more careful when I pull the slipcover on, and I don’t grip the zipper as I had been. I simply sewed the tear up–and it hasn’t been a problem since.
*I dry the slipcovers to approximately 85% dry and then pull them onto the cushions. For the base cover, I only dry it about 60%, because you really have to stretch the base cover back onto the base. It is much easier to do that when the fabric is wet and has some give.
My boys love this couch. We’ve been totally happy with the purchase. I wouldn’t buy this couch if it didn’t have the white (bleachable) slips. That is a huge selling feature for me! I would recommend it to anyone, especially young families. Feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments, I’ll answer them there.
Does anyone else have the Ektorp couch? What are your thoughts–like it? Dislike it?
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