Should i buy pottery barn’s white sofa?
i’m sure that most of you that follow my blog, know that i’ve been preoccupied with my sofa dilemma. so here is the scoop, i’m in the market to replace our old worn, uncomfortable, out of style… sofa. can you tell, i’m wanting to have a new sofa? so, not sure you know my little secret but, i will research a project to death and i get to the point where i suffer from “analysis, paralysis!” i started this adventure with the mindset that i would not get too involved in the research and because after all, i wanted a slipcover sofa and the stain issue could be solved with a wash cycle. well, the whole process has snowballed and i’m now experiencing a white blizzard in my mind. i don’t know which way is up or down and i haven’t narrowed my choices all that much. so, i did do one thing… i took the pottery barn swatches and reluctantly put stains on three white fabrics and then i washed them by hand with cold water. what followed was information that was eye opening for me so, in this blog post i’m sharing my experience and results. i proud that i conducted my own science project and it was all driven by my crazy obsessive personality! well… enjoy the read and i hope my journey is interesting and helpful.
The details of my little study:
1. three pottery barn slipcover swatches (not sure if they have scotch guard applied)
~ performance canvas white (100% polyester)
~ washed linen cotton white (55% linen, 45% cotton)
~ twill white (100% cotton)
2. stains
~ black pen
~ cooking oil
~ chocolate
~ dirt
~ lipstick
3. hand wash with cold water
i wanted to hand wash the fabric so i could feel how tough it was to get the stains out.
4. air dry
like little monkeys. well, our cat, huxley loved these two so much that she would lie
on the sofa right next to where they were jumping.
i’m was sure she was going to get crushed, but somehow she didn’t!
she was the best kitty!
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Kymberly Barlow
The twill seems like the best PB option…but I'm not sure if I'm 100% sold on it bc of the wrinkle factor. Would that mean I'd have to iron it prior to placing it back on the sofa? Oh vey! Overall, amazing analysis and loved this post <3
Janine Waite
Hi Kymberly,
I know this whole sofa thing is so overwhelming! Supposedly with the fabrics, you can machine wash them and then tumble dry (without a heat cycle) and take them out when the material is slightly damp. Then you place them on the sofa and cushions while damp. I guess if you don't do it this way, it is a big struggle to get them on! The twill cleaned up nicely, but yes it was a little wrinkly, I'm wondering if they come out after the fabric is dried and stretched a bit? Also, I just tested a swatch from Crate and Barrel and I let the stain sit for a night and when I went to clean the ink and lipstick the next morning they were really hard to get off! So, it matters how long you wait to remove the stain. Well, I just bought a sofa, I chose the Crate and Barrel Harborside. They just finished their big upholstery sale! I wish you luck on your journey for buying a sofa!
Janine
Donna
Janine,
How has your sofa held up? Looking to purchase it myself…
happyhappynester
Hi Donna,
I wrote this post before I bought my white slipcover sofa and it was super helpful to see which fabrics held up stains and washing. So, after all, my testing and research, I ended up buy a Crate and Barrel Harborside sofa. I LOVE it! It was a tiny bit stiff when we first got it, but I think that worked in its favor. It is now nice and comfy and it isn’t so relaxed that it looks sloppy. I haven’t had to wash it yet since it appears that all I have to do is vacuum it clean. I did do a test on their fabric and it did really well. I did end up with a canvas fabric after running my little test. I really do need to do a follow up on my sofa choice and cleaning. I want to clean the slipcovers in August and Crate and Barrel said not to use Oxyclean since there is a tiny bit of polyester that likes to yellow with this product. Otherwise the salesperson says everyone loves how it cleans up, and I love that I don’t have to have it dry cleaned like the Potter Barn sofa. I hope this helps! Let me know which one you choose!
Debberoo
This is the sofa I’m considering. How is it holding up? Have you washed the covers yet?
happyhappynester
Hello!
After much deliberation, I ended up buying a Crate and Barrel sofa! I need to write a follow-up post! I did do a test of their fabrics and it went well. I was recently told by the salesperson at CB to not use Oxyclean when washing my slipcovers. It has a tiny bit of nylon that will yellow from the Oxyclean. I haven’t had to clean my slipcovers yet since we all sit on fuzzy faux fur blankets. But, as far as my Crate and Barrel instructions say, I should wash them in my home washer and hang dry. Hope this helps. We bought the Harborside with three cushions on the bottom.
Sheryl
I have the PB white twill sectional and when I wash it is a little wrinkled when it comes out of the dryer but once it stretched over the frame or cushions it looks great with the exception of the skirt. I usually use my steamer on the skirt just to make it look better but if you’re inclined you could just iron the skirt before you put the frame covers back on (and you could skip the ones that are against a wall😜).
Lisa @ Texas Decor
I LOVED this post, Janine!! I love to read about product comparisons, etc. And you did such a good job with all the labeling of the stains and everything! I was surprised too that the polyester didn't do too well. And the fact that it was worn in spots would make me steer away from it. I like how well the twill did though! I'd rather deal with wrinkles than worn spots or stains. 🙂 At least you can fix wrinkles…although ironing is my least favorite chore, right next to scrubbing the shower. Lol! Good luck in your sofa search!
Janine Waite
Hi Lisa,,
Thanks so much for your kind comment! I'm so glad you loved this post because I loved writing this post, I have a lot of passion about my latest obsession! I do try to research my big ticket furniture purchases, but this one went pretty in depth. :o) I think I drove my family crazy. I do agree with you about the polyester, I was surprised that it was tougher to get the stains out, but most importantly the fabric was worn. I agree with you, I'm not very fond of ironing and I definitely loathe scrubbing my shower tiles! I wish, you lived closer and we could hang out, we sound like we would have a great time together!!!
Cheers,
Janine
Louise J.
I am very glad to read this post! It is very nice that you did this experiment! Thank you for the share! The post is just great!
Janine Waite
Thanks Louise! I really enjoyed writing this post. I really wanted to know first hand how these fabrics performed with various stains. I still have to add a few more tests. I stained crate and barrel's swatches too and they did alright. the interesting thing about this experiment is that i didn't wash the fabric right away. so, it made sense that it was tougher to get the stains out! are you in the market to buy a white slipcover sofa? thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a nice comment!
Marlene
Very cool experiment! I love to do this kind of thing,too! I don't believe a product until I don't try it myself! Thanks for the post!
Debberoo
Couldn’t figure out how to reply directly to your reply but thank you so much for answering my question. I am having anxiety over which slip covered sofa to go for so it’s very helpful to hear about your experience. I “think” I’m going to go for the harborside too.
happyhappynester
Hi Debberoo,
I know exactly your anxiety about choosing a sofa. It is a big ticket item and you don’t want to make a mistake. What I have seen of the Pottery Barn sofa is that it is soft and casual. My friend has one and she said it came with the cushions relaxed and collapsed. The Harborside cushions arrive a bit firm but they soften up. The plus is that they keep their shape. Also, the lines of the slipcover are pretty. We throw faux furs on our sofa for added protection and comfort and I LOVE it! Just fyi, if you buy the Harborside order the three cushion version rather than the two cushion. Three cushions will not sag as much as the two. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Beatrice X. Blitorn
If you know you want a Chesterfield and you know you want a true bright red lipstick- its perfection. My room is filled with an art deco palette- that works perfectly with the red couch. Make sure you have your decor down, and your colors picked correctly, because this red will easily become a nightmare if you just toss it in. As for the quality-ours is great. Beautiful, strong, no problems.
Regards,
Beatrice X. Blitorn
Bonnie
Loved your sofa analysis! Good work. I bought a canvas slip covered sofa and chair from C&B about 10 years ago. After sitting in all the sofas in Richmond that I liked, I “visited” the C&B sofa every time I went to the mall for a year. (I think it was a Bayside.) The decision was made and we ordered it. Between the time it was ordered and then delivered, the manufacturer changed their construction materials to a new “eco” standard. This greatly affected how it sat both in the seat and back cushions. The back cushions are overstuffed and like cylinders! I have never liked it. All my “sit” testing was wasted and I was hugely disappointed that I wasn’t informed by Crate & Barrel of the change. Still unhappy! 😪
happyhappynester
Oh wow, I’m so sorry they changed the sofa construction on you. Yes, I love my Harborside sofa, and they no longer make it. I need to get into the store and do another bunch of testings on their latest sofas! Thanks so much for your informative comment!