No matter how durable and high-quality the sofa is, over time it becomes unusable. Undoubtedly, if the transformation mechanisms are out of order or the frame is broken, it is better to replace the furniture. But what to do if the sofa is still durable, but the upholstery has worn out, and lumps or holes have appeared in the seat? In this case, you can solve the problem yourself.
There are different types of fillers for upholstered furniture: foam rubber, PPA, cotton wool, synthetic fluff - which are used not only individually, but also in various combinations. For example, a seat is stuffed with polyurethane foam, and sofa cushions with padding polyurethane, or a layer of batting and coconut coir is placed on a spring block, and the top is covered with padding polyester. Modern manufacturers most often choose foam rubber and its more durable analogue – PPA – for filling upholstered furniture.
Products made from foam rubber have several distinctive properties. We are talking about their durability, hypoallergenicity and ability to dry quickly when wet without becoming moldy.
Features of choosing foam rubber
The foam sheet is selected mainly based on two indicators: thickness and density. The layer thickness should be at least 4 cm, and the density should be about 30 kg/m3. The service life of the new filler and its performance depend on these indicators. A thinner and softer one will be easily pressed through and will soon require replacement again, while one that is too dense will make the seat uncomfortably hard.
Foam rubber for a sofa should not be too thin or too thick
Therefore, when deciding which foam rubber to choose, pay attention to its brand: the first numbers in it indicate the density, and the last ones indicate the stiffness index. The service life of the furniture and the cost of the filler will depend on these indicators. When you come to the store to choose foam rubber for the sofa, do not hesitate to touch each sample and squeeze it in your hands. This will help you determine the difference in stiffness levels and choose the ideal option for you.
GOST foam rubber
Instructions for replacing the foam in the sofa yourself.
Repairing upholstered furniture with your own hands is a process with an unpredictable end result. For example, it may be necessary not only to replace the filler, but also the upholstery or some parts of the frame. Understand that often restoring a sofa is not limited to purchasing only foam rubber. Therefore, it is better to find a store where you will buy all the necessary materials. The website https://ecokoja.ru/ has a wide range of fabrics for upholstery of upholstered furniture and different types of foam rubber in thickness and purpose. Before purchasing, be sure to measure all parts of the object being restored, not forgetting to add allowances for hems and seams.
Now let's get started with the process:
- Initially, the sides and back are disconnected.
- The transformation mechanism is removed. As a hint, make marks on the parts that allow you to determine which side the element is on.
- Inspect the frame. It may be necessary to additionally secure the bottom plywood; the sheet often “walks” in the grooves. To do this, use nails or furniture glue.
- The upholstery is removed from each part. It's best to use a staple remover or a flathead screwdriver to make it easier to straighten the staples.
- Wash and iron old upholstery, this will help restore its original appearance. When furniture is covered with new upholstery, patterns need to be made. Based on the old filler, if the original shape is preserved, cut out new elements.
- The next stage is replacing the filler. The cut foam rubber must be laid on the wooden base of each element, pressed firmly and secured with staples using a construction stapler. At this stage, if desired, you can add a layer of filler, increasing the volume of the back and armrests. Please note that this will require more upholstery material.
- To ensure that the filling fits tightly and evenly to each piece, use canvas or any similar dense fabric. This additionally protects the foam itself from dust and dirt from the upholstery.
- Let's start tightening. To do this, pull the fabric tightly and secure it with a construction stapler. Install the brackets on the bottom side of the element. The main thing is not to hit the point of connection and fit of the structural elements, since there is a risk that the upholstery will tear or the sofa mechanism will jam.
- All that remains is to assemble all the elements in reverse order.
Now, knowing how to replace foam rubber in a sofa at home, you can do it yourself. The process itself is labor-intensive and requires careful preparation, but this will allow you to restore the sofa, significantly saving on the purchase of new furniture.
Repair of sofa cushions. Replace filling in sofa cushions.
Home \ Article catalog \ Repair of sofa cushions. Replace filling in sofa cushions.
| deformed pillows from fluff |
| seats after replacement. Cases after dry cleaning |
| complete set after restoration |
Information on replacing the filling in imported down and feather pillows for a sofa with latex ones.
Expensive upholstered furniture imported from Europe, unfortunately, also requires repair of sofa cushions or complete replacement of the filling.
In particular, the part of sofas most susceptible to repair procedures is the soft seats.
Customers especially often demand that the filling in their sofa cushions be replaced.
.
Our Russian people do not accept soft pillows for the sofa
. He doesn’t understand deep immersion; it’s hard to get up from a soft sofa.
Therefore, after some time, he begins to look for how to replace the filling in sofa pillows
to more elastic hard components.
Volumetric sofa cushions with a rounded shape and individual design are available in upholstered furniture from European manufacturers. Previously, Latexin HR was mainly used as a filler.
The latest fashion trend from Europe is down and feather filling. When a tired customer walks into an upholstered furniture store, being completely immersed in soft cushions and luxurious European design seems like the height of perfection.
At the beginning of use, the amazing shapes of upholstered furniture and down pillows for sofas made of feathers seem impeccable. But after a while, the fluff in the sofa pillows begins to bunch up on one side and the comfort disappears.
| deformed leather pillows for italian sofa |
| leather pillows after replacement fillers are ideal |
At the beginning of use, the amazing shapes of upholstered furniture and down pillows for sofas made of feathers seem impeccable. But after a while, the fluff in the sofa pillows begins to bunch up on one side and the comfort disappears.
The down and feather filling requires constant care or the pillow filling will have to be changed. Such sofa pillows need to be constantly fluffed, like a grandmother’s feather bed. In this case, the sofa cushions need to be repaired and the filling replaced.
A buyer is looking for how to replace the filling in sofa pillows
. In this case, contact manufacturers who use European technologies based on latex fillers.
Due to the fact that imported upholstered furniture has non-standard shapes of sofa cushions, the most suitable material is natural or artificial latex and coconut. It is from these materials that you will get the ideal sofa seat for comfort.
Multilayer interleaved technology is used. The sandwich is created depending on the level of smooth immersion or increased rigidity according to the specific requirement of the customer.
Multilayer assembly technology was developed and implemented taking into account Materials Science
| Pillows after restoration. Replacing old filler with latex. Very comfortable, durable and durable |
How to fix a sofa? Tools for repair
Repairing a sofa spring block with your own hands allows you to save a lot of money. The cost of professional services cannot be called low, and springs can cost significantly more than a similar product in a store. This work is not difficult. It is only important to prepare and purchase all the necessary materials or tools, and think through the work plan in detail.
To repair upholstered furniture you will need:
- Measuring tape.
- Flat blade screwdriver.
- Wrench.
- Pliers for replacing metal products.
- Knife or scissors.
- A construction stapler to secure the upholstery to the frame.
Recommendations from professionals
Experts advise replacing the foam in the sofa yourself in the following situations:
- This furniture has been in use for quite some time and it has become uncomfortable to sleep on.
- The sofa turned out to be defective or low-quality foam rubber was used when filling it.
- The sofa has become too soft.
You can replace the foam rubber in the sofa at home and on your own. But if you do not have the appropriate knowledge, it is better to use the services of a specialist.
Sofa Furniture
DIY sofa repair
Over time, any furniture loses its original properties, and the question of replacing it with something else becomes acute. Good quality furniture is quite expensive, but the old module has a strong base, and the model fits the interior.
Then DIY sofa repair becomes popular and a more economical option to get an updated piece of furniture. You can use the services of professional craftsmen or arm yourself with tools and materials and carry out all the work yourself.
Mechanism repair
If during operation the back or seat does not fold or this happens with great effort, or they are skewed relative to each other, then repair of the mechanism for transforming the sofa-book is required.
The extent of the problem can only be discovered after disassembling the product. To do this, you first need to remove the armrests (most often they are secured with two bolts); in order to dismantle the moving parts, you need to unscrew the fasteners in the mechanism itself.
The system is now fully visible, but still attached to the sofa frame. If all components are intact, there is no play or other signs of loosening, you can simply lubricate it and lift the fastening bolt. Even the presence of rust does not mean complete failure. You can get rid of it using special chemicals.
Types of spring blocks
All types of spring blocks can be divided according to the material and design of the springs themselves, and the filler used.
snake type is the simplest and most budget option. Used mainly in stationary (not folding) sofas. Withstands heavy loads, but with constant pressure in one sector it quickly stretches and loses its properties.
Bonnell (a single spring made of several parts) is used in the manufacture of inexpensive mattresses. A new sofa with a bonnel block is comfortable, but if at least one element breaks, it begins to creak, requiring repair.
A mattress with independent springs is the most reliable and comfortable, but expensive design solution. In the event of a breakdown, it is possible to replace a part, but this will require contacting a specialized workshop or manufacturer, since spare parts are sometimes difficult to find - as parts wear out, they lose their elasticity, and replacement parts are needed with exactly the same properties.
Mattresses for luxury furniture can be equipped with wooden springs . The price of a sofa is comparable to the cost of an inexpensive car.
Plastic parts are installed in combination with damping elastic materials in the manufacture of high-cost orthopedic mattresses. Such sofas cannot be repaired independently.
Types by density
The higher its density, the longer the service life will be. By the letter indicators that appear on the label, you can navigate the types of foam rubber. Digital values indicate density indicators (the very first digit), subsequent ones indicate compression stress indicators.
Soft
Foam rubber is suitable for equipping sleeping places (sofas, beds, couches). Its approximate density is from 25 to 45 kg per 1 m3. Good indicators of softness, elasticity, and firmness provide comfort during sleep. There is no feeling of discomfort from sitting or staying in one position for a long time on such a sofa; you can relax in your sleeping place.
Soft material is designated with HS symbols. This marking is affixed to the packaging.
Attention
The product is quite pleasant to the touch, but not durable. You have to constantly repair or completely change the entire canvas.
Standard
Manufactured from a base polyol. It may include additional components to obtain the required strength, density and elasticity. Most often, this type of foam rubber is used for finishing armrests and headrests in upholstered furniture. Density - 25–30 kg per 1 m3.
Advice
To choose a standard foam rubber, you need to find the ST marking on the label, but also focus on the numerical values. They are indicated to show the buyer the density and compression stress.
The standard version is the most common on the market and can be used for restoration or self-assembly. The only and significant disadvantage is its low strength: foam rubber cannot withstand heavy loads. You cannot operate it with increased loads (it will not withstand more than 90 kg).
Hard
Not suitable for filling children's beds. This is a rather unpleasant option for relaxation. But it’s great for people who prefer hard surfaces to soft ones. Density - from 25 to 40 kg per 1m3. Marking: HL mark.
Ideal for sofas that are constantly used for sleeping. It is best to sleep on it rather than use it as a resting place for everyone.
Increased rigidity
Special polyols give increased rigidity to the product. They increase strength many times over, but this indicator depends on the components included in it. Density - 30 kg per 1 m3. An excellent material for making mattresses and sofa coverings. With a higher density value, the furniture can withstand increased loads. Marking - EL.
There is no weight limit. This is a comfortable option for a sound and long sleep. If you put another additional layer of foam rubber on top with increased comfort, the surface will become softer and more comfortable for sleeping in any position.
Highly elastic
It has a density of more than 30 kg per 1 m3 and can withstand a weight of 100 kg. Most often it is used to produce high-quality mattresses. The material has amazing load-bearing capacity and initial rigidity. High elasticity is marked on the packaging with the HR sign.
Advice
An exclusive option, quite expensive. These models are used for the production of luxury furniture, like the highest quality canvases listed.
Highly elastic with increased comfort
Comfortable furniture is made of foam rubber with a density of 30–55 kg per 1 m3. This is a soft material. You can relax, sleep, and sit comfortably on it. To select a highly elastic product with increased comfort, you need to find a label with the HR marking with an asterisk.
Highly elastic foam rubber with increased comfort is classified as one of the highest quality materials. It is chosen for luxury premises, where other options simply will not look good against the backdrop of luxury and wealth. Sleeping on such beds is simply unearthly bliss. The same goes for quality.
Attention
Foam rubber with such characteristics is not afraid of the most severe loads, it can be used around the clock and always lives up to expectations.
Tools and materials for work
To repair springs and reupholster the pillow, you will need a simple set of tools:
- hammer:
- pliers;
- scissors and stationery knife;
- stapler;
- screwdrivers;
- a tool for detaching the cushion from the sofa, open-end or adjustable wrenches.
Materials purchased (as needed):
- spare springs or block assembly;
- lining material, filler, upholstery fabric;
- synthetic cord with a thickness of 5 mm;
- silk threads;
- clamps or ties, nails, staples for a stapler.
It is better to prepare everything you need in advance; you can purchase the missing items at the nearest furniture store.
Classification of springs
One of the criteria for the comfort and reliability of a design is the correct choice of a spring block. Let's take a closer look at the types of spring systems used by modern manufacturing enterprises.
Flat snake
- The simplest device.
- Long working life.
- Low cost.
- Comfort.
Important! There are also disadvantages. The springs bend (the so-called hammock effect). For this reason, products equipped with a folding mechanism are rarely made with flat springs.
Bonnels (solid spring units)
Benefits include:
- comfort (at the very beginning of use);
- low price.
However, over time, the spring blocks begin to creak.
Important! Since the design is dependent, if individual springs are damaged, the entire unit must be replaced.
Independent elements
Each element of the system is independent and separate from the others. Using an independent spring block provides the greatest comfort. If one element is damaged, only that element can be replaced. The system has only one drawback: high price.
Important! The service life of each of the described systems is different, and this affects the cost of the finished product. The most budget-friendly products have flat springs, and the most reliable and ergonomic models are equipped with independent spring blocks.
