The Best Hack For Getting A Couch Cushion Back In Its Cover

There are different reasons you might need to remove your couch's cushion covers. From spilled drinks to pet smells, removing the covers and throwing them into the washer is sometimes a necessity. While removing the cover is generally easy, reinserting the cushion can be frustrating. You have to deal with the foam folding, the fabric bunching, and, when you've finally got the cushion in, the zipper refusing to close. The experience can make you wonder how the cushion ever got into its cover in the first place. Fortunately, though, there is a way to avoid the pro-wrestling aspect of restuffing your couch cushions. This hack involves wrapping the cushions in a plastic bag and using a vacuum with a hose to remove the air, which will temporarily shrink the cushion. This is a straightforward process that will save you a ton of time and frustration. 

All you need are two items you probably already have in your home — a vacuum (nothing special, just the kind you use to clean your floors) and a trash bag large enough to close around your couch cushions. When you're done, your couch cushions will look as good as new. While this can be an easy process, it may not be without the assistance of a second person. So, be sure to ask for help before starting this hack. If you don't have anyone around to help out, it can still be done, but there will be some considerations and extra steps in the process.

Start the process by placing your foam couch cushion into a clean and empty garbage bag with the bag open at the front of the cushion (not the zipper side). If you have upholsterer's silk on hand, you can use that instead of a garbage bag. Place the vacuum hose attachment at the opening of the bag and have someone cinch the bag around the mouth of the hose. Turn the vacuum on to shrink the cushion. Next, slip the cover over the shrunken cushion. Then, before you fully close the zipper on the cover, pull the plastic bag out. If you don't have a helper, you can use masking tape to help seal the bag around the hose. You will need to ensure that you remove all the tape, as well as the bag, before closing the cover. 

If you want to make the job of restuffing your cushion covers a little easier, it's a good idea to make sure you wash them properly so they don't shrink or become misshapen. The first thing you need to do before washing your upholstered cushion covers is to read the label on them. There may be care information included that will help maintain their fit. Another crucial step in ensuring you can put the covers back on is to either air-dry them in a shady spot or place them in your dryer on the light tumble setting. Since upholstery fabric is rarely preshrunk, a high-heat dryer cycle can cause it to shrink.