Question from Olivia
We have a sofa and love seat from 1980, I believe made in New Zealand. We want to have them reupholstered, but I am wondering if we can just keep the old yellow foam since it’s still firm and just add organic cotton batting and new covers. I don’t want the conventional foam, but natural foam is so expensive. Do you think it would be safer than using new conventional foam?
Debra’s Answer
I think re-using the old foam would certainly be safer than new conventional foam.
If it were me, I would add a barrier around the foam, just to be safe. Reflectix Bubble Pack Insulation has a foil barrier sandwiched between polyethylene bubble wrap. You might see if that works OK to sit on without discomfort or noise.
Reflectix is comfortable to sit on and is not noisy when appropriately sealed (with foil tape) without capturing excess air, BUT the moist heat from your body can create condensation and, with air flow to the foam cut off, this can create a haven for mould.
When we recently had our 1980’s couch reupholstered, she said the cushions had lots of life left in them. She just turned them front to back.