Helping Ugly Upholstered Furniture

Furniture World Magazine

Sure Fit, America's largest slipcover company believes that the ugliest furniture can be helped, rather than replaced. Here area few tips: 1. Holes & rips? Duct tape is a wonder drug for torn upholstery. Simply tape over holes and rips, making sure they're totally covered. Then slipcover them. With slipcovers priced from $30 to $200 (depending on size and fabric), the lifetime of battered upholstery can be extended several years. 2. Mushy cushions? If cushion upholstery is zipped in place, simply remove the old foam and replace, or add stuffing in the form of rags or discarded clothes. Re-zip the now firmer cushions. Then slipcover them. 3. Saving springs under the cushions? Have plywood cut to the size of the seat and lay it under cushions. This should add firmness and extend the life of the piece. Finish with a slipcover. 4. Stains on upholstery? These are very hard to remove without leaving rings where liquid removal has been applied. The Rx is to cover the whole piece with a stylish one-piece slipcover that's inexpensive, easy to apply and stays in place with strategic elastic. 5. "Pet" peeves? Give your pets a break. Slipcover their favorite chair or sofa with a washable one-piece and don't sweat the flying fur. Sure Fit, Inc., the country's largest manufacturer of ready-made slipcovers, reports that its best customers seem to have more pets than kids. 6. Furniture with wooden arms can be a problem when it comes to recovering. Purchase inexpensive polyester batting from your local crafts store and wrap each arm, securing batting with string or strong tape. No one will know after your slipcover is in place. Sure Fit, Inc. is America's largest slipcover manufacturer, focusing solely on that product and such ancillary items as matching or coordinated pillows and table linens. With locations in Allentown, PA, and New York City, all products are made in the Allentown factory of machine-washable upholstery-weight fabrics. They are sold through national retailers, by mail through Sure Fit's catalog and over the Internet. For further information, contact Sure Fit, Inc., toll-free at 888-SUREFIT (888-787-3348), or go to the website, http://www.surefit.com.