Laying your head on a luxuriously soft couch after a hard day’s work can instantly put you in a relaxed state of mind. I recently had the misfortune of laying my head on some couch cushions only to find that they were not up to my expectations.
Since they were new, I could not just discard them. I had to do some research to find out how to make the new cushions softer.
The good news is that there are various ways to make new couch cushions softer. One of those ways includes sitting on the cushions and bouncing up and down on them. This action will help compress the cushions and break down the foam insert, followed by a periodical shuffle, so they soften quickly.
You probably wonder why new couch cushions would feel soft to the touch on the showroom floor, only to receive your order and find that the cushions are much firmer. There are various ways these firm cushions can be turned into a soft one, making them comfier.
Let me guide you with some tips.
Will New Couch Cushions Soften?
If you have ever been to a furniture store, you will notice that the cushions on the couch are often soft to the touch; the softness of the couch cushions might be one of the reasons for your purchase.
Couches on the showroom floor are often subject to a lot of testing by potential buyers; as a result, the cushions tend to be softer. New cushions will soften over time, but they too will need to be broken in.
Tips on Making New Couch Cushions Softer
Perhaps you would like to know how to make your new couch cushions softer; here are some tips that will guide you on compressing the foam insert and loosening its fibres.
Before taking any drastic measures, the first step would be to pick up the cushions and give them a good shake. If your cushions have been lined with fibrefill, down, or feather, it is easy for them to compact, making them quite uncomfortable and less soft in appearance.
To protect the cushions, furniture delivery services sometimes use packaging material to preserve these cushions; this packaging can cause the inners to become bunched up, so a good shaking is often all that is required.
Alternatively, you can lay the cushions on the floor, put on a pair of socks, and do a little dance routine; there is nothing like a good dance routine that will help soften up those couch cushions; repeat the process by flipping over the cushions. This daily routine will help loosen the fibres in the cushions and might even assist with your exercise routine. You can do this as often as possible to achieve the desired effect.
Sitting on your couch as often as possible will help squish the cushions due to the weight. Also, ensure that you dedicate equal time when seated on each cushion to distribute the weight evenly; failure to do so might result in some cushions breaking in while the others remain firm.
You can bounce up and down to speed up the softening process; this action will compress the cushions and help break down the foam insert. It is important not to exert too much pressure when jumping up and down on the cushions, material such as leather can tear if you do not exercise caution.
If the cushions have a zipper, you can remove some filling or replace the filling with some feather or down inserts. You can also cover the existing cushions with some batting to help plump up, making them softer.
If you want a quick fix and don’t have the patience or the time to wait for the new cushions to break in, purchase some rolls of polyurethane foam at an upholstery shop. You can remove one of the white foam layers on one side and replace it with 2 to 3 layers of poly.
Use the size of the cushion as a guideline when cutting the polyurethane foam square. The bottom one should be about 3 inches smaller than the top one. It is advisable to place the foam square in the centre and place the larger ones over it.
This process will give your bottom cushions a small puffy area higher in the centre. You will soon enjoy softer, more luxurious cushions by dedicating 2-3 hours to this project at a fraction of the cost.
Consider taking those cushions to an upholsterer to replace the foam inserts. It is important to note that foam inserts come in varying firmness levels; hence you will need to choose an insert that will give your cushions the desired softness.
Shaping the foam can also be effective in softening new cushions. Follow the shaping process with a simple home remedy. Turn the hairdryer on the lowest setting and move the dryer over the cushion. Keep it at 9 inches from the cushion.
You can also pour a few tablespoons of water on the foam to regain elasticity. After the water has been poured, use your hands to reshape the foam. Once the water dries, the foam should be a little softer.
How Long Does It Take for My New Cushion fo Soften?
Softening new cushions is not a quick fix; you will need to rotate the cushions to even out the wear and tear. If you practice the above tips either weekly or daily, you will find that within 4-6 weeks, they will start to feel softer to the touch.
You can take the cushions to an upholsterer to revamp if you want a quick fix. You can also enjoy the luxury of placing a soft duvet or a fluffy blanket on the couch and enjoying the softness as you patiently wait for your cushions to break in.
Final Thoughts
Consider practicing the above tips before you rush out to replace those firm couch cushions. Within a month, your new cushions will feel soft to the touch. Once those cushions have softened, you too can sink into the couch and enjoy the same soft cushions that showrooms offer.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.