How to Restuff Couch Cushions and Bring Them Back to Life

Photo via The DIY Playbook

What Are Couch Cushions Filled With?

Couch cushions can be filled with different things, but the most popular material is foam. The best foam is one labeled "high-resilient density," or HR, and is the couch material most resilient to wear and sagging.

Feather-filled cushions are sought after by those who like the softness that feathers provide. Couches are typically filled with duck or chicken feathers, but the more expensive option is down, which is made up of the feathers on the underbellies of geese. You can also fill a couch cushion with any combination of feather types, but down material typically lasts longer than traditional feathers.

Polyester filling is a budget-friendly option that’s also great for those who have feather allergies. It’s available in several densities, though the best option is cluster-polyester cushions, which consist of tiny balls of fiber that are known very durable and long-lasting.

How to Measure Couch Cushions for Restuffing

First, you’ll measure the old cushions on your couch to help determine how much stuffing you’ll need for your new cushion filling. Prior to and while measuring your couch, be on the lookout for any holes or loosened threads that need repair before restuffing, and patch those up first. Also, be sure to measure every cushion—even if they all look the same size, very slight size differences in couch cushions do exist. 

Step 1: Measure Width

Lay the cushion(s) on a flat surface. Use a sewing measuring tape to measure across the center of each couch cushion from right to left. Write down the measurements.

Step 2: Measure Depth

Measure from top to bottom at the center of each cushion. Write down the measurements.

Step 3: Measure Thickness/Height

Flip the cushion on its side and measure back to front at the center of each cushion. Write down the measurements.

Step 4: Add One Inch to Every Measurement

Add one inch to all of your charted measurements. This way, you'll ensure that the stuffing squeezes into every minuscule area of the space so there are no gaps.

Photo via Morgan McBride

How to Restuff Couch Cushions with Poly-Fil, Foam, and Batting

The most common process of restuffing couch cushions involves stuffing the back cushions with poly-fil, and stuffing the seat cushions with foam wrapped in batting. While the foam gives the cushion firmness and shape, batting will smooth it out and give the cushion more of that soft, cushy feeling.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Trash bag
• 10 pounds poly-fil
• Foam inserts in standard sofa cushion size (you'll cut to size)
• Utility knife
• 8 yards of quilt batting
• Spray adhesive

Step 1: Remove Back Cushions

Remove the cushions on the back of your couch. If there are covers, remove those as well. 

Step 2: Restuff Back Cushions With Poly-fil

Unzip the cushion. Remove the current poly-fil and place them in a trash bag to dispose of later. Then, grab a handful of new poly-fil and shove it inside the cushion. Fill every inch, making sure you get to the corners of the cushion. Don’t be afraid to overstuff—a too-full cushion is better than a too-flat cushion! Once it’s fully stuffed, zip up the cushion and smooth out the material. Repeat with all back cushions.

Step 3: Remove Seat Cushions

Once you have stuffed all of your couch back cushions, it’s time to move onto the seat cushions. Use foam instead of poly-fil for the seat cushions, since they tend to be more flat than the back cushions, making them ideal for sitting on. Unzip your old cushions and remove the piece of foam from each; it will likely be wrapped with batting. Place the old piece aside for later disposal.

Step 4: Measure and Cut Foam

Use a utility knife to cut the foam pieces to the couch seat measurements you took in the "How to Measure Couch Cushions for Restuffing" section of this guide.

Step 5: Wrap New Foam With Batting

Unravel a roll of quilt batting a few times and lay it out on a surface. Place the cut foam cushion on top of it. Wrap the batting around the cushion (about three layers of batting should suffice). Use a spray adhesive to secure the batting to the foam.

Step 5: Restuff Seat Cushions

Stuff the new foam wrapped in batting into each cushion cover. The new cushions will likely be very snug in the covers—don’t be afraid to use a little elbow grease to get the cushions inside. Zip up the covers as you insert each cushion.

How to Restuff Couch Cushions with Down and Feathers

Next, we’ll show you how to restuff couch cushions with down and feathers. For this, you don’t necessarily need to buy completely new down or feathers; for the most part, restuffing might just mean taking the filling out of the cushions, fluffing them up a bit, and restuffing back into the couch. Regardless, the process of restuffing is pretty much the same.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Trash bags
• Seam ripper
• Goose or duck feathers
• Needle
• Thread

Step 1: Remove the Down-Filled Insert and Feathers

Open the zipper on the back of the couch cushion and pull out the down-filled insert. Use a seam ripper on the hand-sewn side of the insert to remove the stitches, gently cutting the threads. Use your hands to keep the insert closed as you place it inside a trash bag. Close the bag and shake it to allow the down and feathers to empty into the bag. This will also fluff up the down and feathers. Add new down and feathers if needed. 

Step 2: Add Fluffed Down and Feathers to the Fabric Insert

Fill the insert to the brim with the new or re-fluffed down, feathers, or combination of the two. Hand-stitch the edge seam of the insert with a simple needle and thread.

Step 3: Place Insert Into Cushion Cover

Place the insert into the cushion cover. Zip the cushion cover and replace the cushion on the couch. To keep the cushions fluffier for longer, plan to shake them regularly to evenly distribute the filling.

What are your couch cushions filled with? Have you ever restuffed them yourself?