I especially love slipcovers because they can be cleaned easily. Yes, sometimes washing and putting them back on can feel like wrestling an alligator, but I don't care. There is just something refreshing about knowing your furniture is clean. If you suffer from allergies, cleaning your furniture easily can even make you feel better! But, there are a few things I have learned about caring for slips. Most home decor fabrics have not been treated for laundry detergent brighteners. I use Seventh Generation detergent, because it does not contain ingredients that will cause the fabric to fade or change color. I learned this the hard way! There are also other products made that will work well also, I just like the Seventh Generation detergent because it is readily available at most grocery stores. I use bleach only when absolutely necessary because over time it will degrade fabric. With pets and kids and a hard working dirty husband, sometimes bleach is the only answer for white slips. I also love the Carbona Stain Devils product. They have very specific cleaners for stubborn stains and they work very well! I think I have every one they make so I'm always prepared. Ink, make-up, chocolate, and oil are no match for these. Try to wash out spills right away. If you have a stubborn stain, keep working on it before you dry it. Once it's been through the dryer, it's much harder to clean.
Dry cleaning can still shrink your slipcovers! Plus, unclean drycleaning fluid can change the color of the fabric! I always pre-wash and dry the fabric before I take out the scissors! This greatly reduces shrinkage over the life of the slipcover, although it may still gradually shrink a little bit.
Have I convinced you yet?