If you are throwing away a couch, then it is very likely that you will have to break it apart before you can get it out of the house and into the trash pile.
Taking apart a couch will make it easier to throw it away on the curbside, where it can be picked up by local waste management services instead of breaking your back trying to lift the whole thing. If you instead have rented a dumpster for your clear-out session, then breaking apart the couch will save space in the container and can prevent overflow charges.
Yes, we deliver rental dumpsters in the community of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania.
Luckily, breaking a couch into pieces is easier than you may think. In this guide, we are going to help you through the process.
Tools Needed To Dismantle A Couch
Before we can move into the dismantling of your couch, there are some tools you need on hand so you can tackle it properly.
While each sofa is different and therefore can take different levels of effort to break it apart, there are a few tools that come in handy for all couches that you should gather before doing this work.
These include:
- Screwdriver
- Allen wrench
- Box cutter
- Staple puller
- Handsaw
- Hammer with a claw (for nail removal)
How To Take Apart A Couch
- Set the cushions aside
The first thing you need to do before you can take apart a couch is to remove the sofa cushions. If your sofa has loose cushions, set them aside for now as they will get in the way.
If the cushions are attached, you can leave them this way until it is time to deal with the upholstery.
- Remove the mattress
This step only applies to those who are working with a sofa bed, but much like removing the cushions, the mattress will need to be removed before you can dismantle the bed.
To do this, you will need to pull out the bed and take the mattress off. Once the mattress has been removed, unscrew the hinge arms, which connect the metal frame of the bed to the rest of the sofa.
- Start removing upholstery
Before you can break down the couch frame underneath, you first need to remove the upholstery on the top.
Most of the upholstery on couches is done using staples, which is why you will need a staple remover to do this step if you plan on reusing the fabric elsewhere. If you do not need to protect the fabric as it will be thrown away too, you can simply cut or rip it away from the frame.
If cushions are attached to the sofa, now is the time to use the box cutter to separate them from the rest of the fabric and throw them aside.
- Remove the legs
Once the upholstery has been removed, you should be able to see the frame of the couch.
Flip the sofa onto its side so you can begin removing the legs using a screwdriver or saw. If your sofa has legs with screwtops, they will be easy to remove by hand as you simply need to grab them and twist them counterclockwise.
- Take apart the rest of the frame
As every couch is made differently, this step can vary for everyone, but the aim remains the same.
Depending on the kind of couch you have, you may only need one tool for this step or a whole kit. Regardless, it is likely that this part of the process will take a while to get done right, so make sure to be patient and safe when dismantling the couch.
You should work through this step by working with one piece at a time, using a handsaw to cut larger pieces into more manageable chunks.
For the couch frame, look at the fasteners that are used to keep everything together and see what shape they are. This will help you determine what kind of tools are needed in dismantling, it and can save you time if you do not want to handsaw everything.
- Save any upholstery you want to reuse
If the fabric and pillows from the couch are still in good shape, you can reuse them in some way around the home.
Once you have completed taking apart the couch, spend some time looking through the scraps of fabric to see whether anything is salvageable as it can be used in other ways.
How To Reuse Old Couch Cushions
If your old couch cushions are still in good shape, there is no need to throw them away with the rest of the trash.
Instead, get creative and use them in other ways such as:
- Floor pillows, such as in the kid’s playroom
- In the dog’s kennel as additional bedding. If you do not have a dog of your own, donate the cushions to your local animal shelter, where they will be used as bedding
- Add a waterproof covering to the cushions so they can be used as outdoor seating
Find The Right Disposal Option For Your Couch
Once you have dismantled the couch, it is time to get rid of the trash.
Furniture disposal methods will vary based on your location, and some cities may offer a curbside pick-up. You can also rent a dumpster for your household waste which will hold the dismantled couch along with other trash.
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