Selecting the sofa might be hectic, however maintaining it is the most tedious task, especially if you are one of those that shift a lot from one place to another. Shifting furniture regularly inevitably leads to damage and scratches. Hence, you must be extremely careful in this regard. It is recommended to properly pack and cover your brand new sofa to minimize the damage.
This is highly useful in the case of wooden units and leather items that are prone to scratches and breakage as compared to metallic items. This article encompasses a detailed guide on how to cover a sofa for daily use and shifting based on type and design in the most practical and cost-efficient way. Furthermore, a few tips for successfully moving the sofas are also included for your convenience.
How to Cover a Sofa?
There are a variety of sofas and couches available in the market ranging from leather-based items to hardwood-based materials. Furthermore, the design of the equipment also varies a lot. Based on the design, most tools can also be converted into beds depending on the requirement. Follow the instructions mentioned below for covering various kinds of sofas.
Covering a Regular Sofa
The major reason for covering a sofa is to prevent it from getting dirty due to the surrounding dust and impurities as well as to protect it against unwanted damage. Hence, you can cover your item with the help of sofa covers available in the market or use a thick blanket as an alternative to a sofa cover. However, the quality of the blanket depends greatly on the type of fabric used in the construction of the tool.
If the fabric is less prone to tearing, then a thick blanket will also be fine. In the case of blankets, you should tie them properly using tape or rope to prevent them from falling. Remember to cover the frame of equipment as well. Then, use microfoam to wrap the object and secure it with the help of tape as well. Lastly, shrink wrap the sofa to complete the task. Avoid directly shrink wrapping the unit as it might ruin the fabric used for construction.
Covering a Leather Sofa
Leather sofas are more vulnerable to damage due to external conditions such as extreme weather, and use of detergents, etc. Thus, they require more careful handling and attention as opposed to other related substances available in the market. Maintaining a leather sofa might be time-consuming and requires a lot of effort on your part.
Hence, it is recommended to wrap your couch in specialized furniture covers or extremely thick blankets to offer extra protection. Secure the blankets with the help of tape or rope to keep them in place. Avoid direct contact between tape and fabric to prevent the colour from fading.
Similar to the previously mentioned method, make sure that the legs of the couch are also covered properly. Afterwards, wrap the entire apparatus into a shrink wrap to further increase the protection layer. Prevent shrink wrap directly as it might lead to condensation, which in turn will cause the leather to tear. Thereby adding the cost of repair to the system as well.
Covering a Sofa Bed
Next on the list is the method to cover a sofa bed. Sofa beds are specialized tools that can be converted into a mattress depending on the requirement and can be used as both a bed and a sofa. Since these items are heavier than ordinary couches, it is advised to call for help while packing or shifting them.
For this purpose, you should remove the cushions from the apparatus, if any, and use a plastic bag to cover them properly. This will prevent them from getting dirty due to the impurities present in the environment. Then, remove the mattress from the base and pack it separately into a plastic cover for enhanced protection. You can also secure the plastic cover with tape.
You can also use a thin blanket as an alternative to a plastic cover in this regard. After you are done with the mattress and cushions, it is time to wrap the frame of the object. Fold the frame inside the sofa bed to wrap it easily. Then use a rope or twine to tie the whole thing together. It will secure the frame inside the sofa bed and will prevent it from falling during the shifting process.
Moving a Sofa
After covering, it is time to move the sofa. You can either move it from one floor to another or to an entirely new area after properly securing it with the help of a blanket and shrink wrap. Follow the below-mentioned steps to move your sofa from one place to another securely.
Selecting a Broad Passage
The first step involves carefully planning the route from which you are going to transport the sofa. If you are moving it inside the same house, i.e., from one floor to another, use a broad passage. The broad area will prevent the collision of equipment with other units present in the house and walls. Thereby preventing the sofa from breaking or tearing apart. Also, avoid areas with sharp edges, as it could puncture the fabric of the sofa, especially in the case of leather. Also, prevent the exposure of the leather to extreme heat.
Lifting the Sofa
Lifting the furniture correctly is of utmost significance, especially when you are moving heavy objects. Lifting a heavy item only by yourself can cause back injuries and might also lead to muscle or joint dislocation. It is recommended to lift one corner to monitor the weight of the equipment.
This will help in identifying whether you can carry the material by yourself or not. If it is heavier than your expectation, you can call someone for help and lift it together to balance the weight. Hold the tool from one side each and keep the sofa closer to your body. Keep a straight back while moving the sofa to prevent the back from hurting.
Avoid Dragging
Avoid dragging the sofa across corridors when shifting it. Dragging would not only damage the flooring but also cause the bottom part of your sofa to scuff badly. Moreover, it will also make your tool dirty due to the presence of dust and impurities on the floor. Hence, it is advised to always lift the object slightly before moving it.
Moving through stairs
Be extremely careful when moving the sofa up and downstairs. It is better if your staircase is wide enough to let the material pass through without colliding with surrounding objects. You should also measure the length of the stairway and use the best possible method to carry the equipment. If you find it difficult to move the furniture via a staircase, you can also use ropes to shift the sofa downstairs via your terrace or balcony. However, it should be your last resort as any accidental mishap can break the furniture completely.
You can also learn about how to clean a sofa here!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you plastic wrap a couch?
To plastic wrap a piece of furniture, it is important to remove all the accessories and clean the object. Then, wrap the fabric and wooden part with the help of paper padding and secure it with tape. The tape will prevent it from falling. Remember to cover the corners properly. Then, you have a plastic cover to wrap the apparatus and secure it with tape or rope as well.
Can I use plastic wrap while moving furniture?
Yes, you can use plastic wrap for moving furniture. In fact, plastic wraps are more useful than fabric wraps. The reason for this is the tear-resistant nature of the fabric alongside its enhanced storage abilities. Furthermore, plastic can prevent the objects from getting dirty by keeping the impurities away and hence, is highly recommended for wrapping.
Will shrink wrap damage furniture?
Usually, shrink wrap does not damage the furniture if it is wrapped properly around it. However, it is advised to avoid direct contact between the fabric and shrink wrap as it might lead to condensation, which can ruin the fabric to a great extent. Moreover, excessive heat can also melt the shrink wrap that can get stuck to the leather-based items and damage them permanently.
Wrapping Up
Moving furniture requires careful handling, a lot of effort, and time on the consumer’s part. Most sofas available in the market are prone to damage and might get scratched easily. Thus, you should be extremely careful while shifting them. It is advised to cover them with the help of blankets, paper padding, and shrink wrap to keep the dirt out of the system.
Furthermore, you should also prevent dragging the equipment on the floor to keep the floor intact and prevent the couch from getting dirty. Remember to move the apparatus through a broad passage as well to avoid collision with the surrounding objects. Hence, these tips must be followed for successfully covering and moving your sofa without causing any damage to the material.
You can also read a complete guide to fix a squeaky chair and stop chair squeaking here!
