December 10th, 2008

Use Slipcovers To Save Furniture From Landfills

Posted by Caroline Smith

In today’s disposable society, I don’t like to think about how much perfectly-usable furniture must end up in landfills each year - just because people change their minds about the color, or the fabric looks slightly worn or faded.  That’s why I think slipcovers are a great idea, as they can extend the life of old armchairs and couches by giving them a complete change of look. 

Ready-made slipcovers are inexpensive to buy and are machine-washable, which means they can last for years.  They’re designed to fit over the top of existing upholstery, so they can completely hide unattractive fabric, unfashionable patterns, tears or stains.

There’s even a line of organic slipcovers available now.  These are available from Sure Fit and come in only sofa and loveseat sizes at the moment, although I would imagine the range will be extended in the future.  There’s a choice of two fabrics made from organic cotton; one in solid neutral colors and the other has a striped pattern.  I hope that the ever-growing interest in organic textiles will encourage other slipcover companies to start offering eco-friendly products too.

One popular misconception about slipcovers is that they don’t fit well and look untidy.  It’s certainly true that “one-size-fits-all” covers might be too loose on some items of furniture - after all, there’s no such thing as a “standard size” couch.  However, this can usually be overcome by tucking all the extra fabric into the crevices at the back and sides of the seat to get a snug fit.  A good trick here is to use a wooden spoon to push the material deep into the gaps.  Then roll up some old magazines and put rubber bands around them.  Insert these into the crevices to make sure the slipcover stays in place and prevent it becoming easily untucked.

Some seats are a bit more of a challenge.  For instance, pre-made slipcovers are made for conventional sofas and chairs with cushioned arms.  So, if your couch has wooden arms, you’ll need to add your own DIY padding to get a slipcover to fit.  This is easy enough to do.  You just need to tie something soft, such as an old blanket or towel, around each arm to make them cushioned enough for a slipcover to fit neatly.

Another handy tip for getting a slipcover to look smooth and wrinkle-free is to lightly dampen any creases with water, using a plant-mister if you have one.  Then simply use your hands to smooth out the creases. 

With a little imagination and creativity it’s possible to use slipcovers on almost any style of seat.  So, if your furniture is starting to look a little tired, think twice about throwing it out.  Why not see if you could give it a new lease of life with some slipcovers?

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