Date: 10/20/09 1:49 AM

What will happen to upholstery fabric that is listed dry clean only if it is put in the washer repeatedly?

I have agreed to make a **very basic** slip cover for our local family drop-in. They must wash the cover every week. If I prewash the fabric before constructing the cover, will it survive?

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Reply to neighbourhood gal
Date: 10/20/09 9:00 AM

Have you considered buying 1/2 yard and running it thru the washer & dryer a few times to see what would happen? Toss the swatch in with your own laundry. Serge the ends (it will fray!) and measure length & width before the W&D testing. That will give you the best idea of how it will survive.

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Reply to neighbourhood gal
Date: 10/20/09 9:04 AM

I agree that you need to test the fabric first. When in doubt wash a sample.

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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com

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Reply to neighbourhood gal
Date: 10/20/09 9:39 AM

I had a sofa that was pale shades of off white (bought before we had children). My son, when he was two, tried to climb on the sofa one day with washable markers in his hand. The sofa was maybe 6 or 7 years old at the time and I figured that I had nothing to lose. I washed the bottom cushion covers in the washing machine and placed them back on the sofa cushions damp - to keep them from shrinking as they dried. They seemed to wash just fine, though the cushions were a lighter color than the back which was not removable. I don't know if the color difference was that the fabric lost color or that the bottom cushions were then clean and the back was dirty.

If they were washing weekly, I would chose a fabric that would not look bad if it faded in color. What about denim?

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Becky

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Date: 10/20/09 10:11 AM

You can also do the Shabby chic thing and do white twill or denim.

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sarah in nyc
www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com

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Date: 10/20/09 10:38 AM

What is the fabric content? As long as you aren't using silk or anything with heavy embellishments laundering should be fine. I work in a shop that specializes in slipcovers and we send out fabric to be hot washed and hot dried all the time, even velvet! A local laudry place should be able to do that for you if the yardage doesn't fit in your washer/dryer.

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Date: 10/20/09 10:49 AM

You will wash the finish off the fabric & the color will fade. As long as it's a cotton or blend, I'd do it. Just make sure the family knows the fabric really shouldn't be washed. I do that a lot with kitchen chair cushions. I once told a client to go ahead and wash a duvet in cold & hang to dry. It was a print with deep red. She got gutsy & put it in the dryer.......BIG MISTAKE! The red bled everywhere. My point is, stay with subtle colors if they will wash it.
-- Edited on 10/20/09 4:03 PM --

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Date: 10/20/09 11:37 AM

Am I right in assuming a "family drop-in" is some kind of public place? Community center, church, hospital, etc?

Definitely use a medium or dark color. Denim is a good idea - it gets better with age. Twill, but in tan, grey, brown, or even brighter colors... not white.

I have washed basic cotton upholstery fabric a lot - be aware that it shrinks like crazy at first, and will fade more or less, depending on the quality of dyes and printing, and the color. Testing is a good idea.

I am still looking for my Holy Grail of slipcover fabric - machine washable twill microfiber - so you could clean up spills and dirt between washings easily. Cotton loves to suck up stains in my experience.

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Date: 10/20/09 11:40 AM

Thanks everyone!

I had thought about purchasing a few samples to wash and dry them several times to see what would happen. The fabrics the drop-in folks have been looking at are 100% polyester.

When I stopped in the fabric shop and told them what I was hoping for, they did suggest denim or twill and they also suggested a faux suede (100% poly). The problem is that all of those fabrics were solids and the folks at the drop-in really want a print. (Or even a pattern within the weave of the fabric.) This generally means polyester labeled dry clean only.

They are looking for neutral colors. They want to make the area with couches a tad more sophisticated looking (and their old slipcovers are falling apart). Definitely more living room than preschool in appearance.

Thanks for all of your comments! If anyone else has something to add or affirm, go for it!

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Reply to neighbourhood gal
Date: 10/21/09 11:03 PM

An upholstery-weight chenille might be a good choice. It will have texture to it and wear well (if it's good quality). Good luck with your project!!

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