Wrinkles on a sagging couch, loose corners, or sunken seats can make your entire space look tiring, but it can also be uncomfortable for lounging. While you may be ready to say goodbye to the sad couch, once these signs of aging start to appear, there’s usually no need to throw the couch away. Instead, just make a quick run to the craft store and work your muscles, and you’ll have a perfectly plump couch again.
Certain obstacles can hold you back, though, so it’s important to determine if your sofa can be refilled at home or if it’s better suited to a professional interior decorator. Once you decide to give it a try, all the obstacles between you and the cushion loft of your dreams are a big bag of polyester filling and a few rolls of cotton batting.
Before You Begin
Make sure there are zippers or other access points to help you get into the couch cushions. If not, you won’t be able to fill them without opening them and re-stitching them. Unless you have extensive knowledge of interior decoration and sewing, we do not recommend this method. Once you’ve confirmed that you have the proper access point, start by removing the cushion from the couch and placing it on a clean, dry workspace, such as a dining table or large counter. If the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions specify that they can be machine washed, now is a good time to wash the duvet cover.
Step 1: Refill the Seat Cushion with Cotton Wool
For the seat cushion, use cotton wool to fill and create a flatter surface. This method is best suited for cushions with foam padding – most cushions come with foam padding. If your sofa cushions are filled with down or other loose padding alternatives, you must hire a professional to help fill the sofa properly.
Once the foam filling is removed, unfold the batting so that there is enough quilting material to work with. Place the insert on top of the batting and wrap the mat neatly, pulling the edges up and around. Fix the batting with a spray adhesive when layering. Repeat this process two or three times, or until your mats are plump enough, but not too big so that they can’t be put back into the mat.
Putting the cushion back into the duvet cover takes a team effort. Have one person open the lid while the other tuck the mat back. It takes some manipulation and patience, so take your time and take turns holding the mats and fillers.
Step 2: Fill the Cushion Backrest with Polyester Fibre Padding
Polyester padding is an excellent material for padding the back of a cushion because it inflates the cushion while maintaining its soft, pillow-like nature. To maintain the integrity of the seat back, be sure to padding behind the seat cushion and not in front. This results in a smoother surface with no bumps and lumps.
The process of filling the cushions is not so organized. Fill the mat with a small amount of polyester padding, making sure to add the padding behind the existing pad. Make sure the filling fills every nook, nook, and cranny. When it feels like you’ve reached the perfect level of filling, add more, as the polyfilament will settle over time. Up and out of the saddle, make sure there is enough padding at the zipper opening. Pull the mat back into place and pat the sides of the mat with both hands to fluff it up to secure the filling.
Step 3: Place the Cushion Back on the Couch
Once all the mats are fully filled and the zippers are pulled back, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any loose polyester padding or lint. When they’re clean and tidy, put them back on the couch. You should find that your sofa is very plump, maybe even a little too plump. This is exactly what you want at this stage. After a few weeks, the new padding and batting will settle down, creating a less cracked appearance at the seams. Instead, you’ll have a refreshed sofa ready to be your favorite resting spot again.