How to Replace Foam in Couch Cushions

Refurbish couch cushions with new foam

Couch cushions can become lumpy and broken down over time. There is no need to get rid of the whole piece of furniture when this happens. Instead refurbish the couch by replacing the foam with new, more firm material. A few square feet of upholstery foam is far less expensive than a whole new piece of furniture. So get out your tape measure and get ready to recreate the old.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Newspaper Polyurethane foam slab Electric carving knife

Instructions

Replace Foam in Couch Cushions

1. Unzip the cushion covers. Compress the foam inside the cushion and pull it out. Flip the cushion cover inside out and brush off any old residue and foam dust.

2. 

   Place the couch cushion cover on a piece of newspaper, seat side down. Trace around the cover and cut out the pattern from the newspaper. Measure the depth of the cushion with a tape measure placed against the seam that connects the front and side panels of the cover.

3. Obtain slabs of flexible polyurethane foam from an upholstery supply shop or craft store. Match the slab thickness to the depth of the cushion.

4. Arrange the newspaper patterns on the foam slab. Trace around the pattern with an ink pen directly onto the foam.

5. 

   Cut the foam along ink lines with a serrated electric carving knife. Snip 1/2 inch off the corners of the foam cushion to eliminate clumping when placed inside the cover.

6. 

   Slip cut foam into the cushion covers and zip closed. Arrange cushions back on the couch. Place foam scraps into recycling bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution when handling the electric carving knife and ensure that the tool has a UL-listed tag.

Resources

• Flexible Polyurethane Foam
• Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam