Common Issues With Sofa Beds And How To Fix Them
Every piece of furniture, no matter how much you put in the effort to pick the best and maintain it with all your heart, brings some issues to the table with regular use.
Sofa beds are not alien to this issue. As the name suggests, sleeper sofas offer dual functions; they act as a sofa and can be converted to a bed as per your favor. With multiple responsibilities comes more possibilities for wear & tear or failure, which in turn requires frequent maintenance as well. Since it is a mix of both a sofa and a sleeper, it requires extra care and maintenance than you usually give to a sofa or a bed for longevity.
This blog addresses some popular issues with sofa beds that people often bang their heads with. Trust us, sofa beds aren’t that complicated. It’s just that we should pamper them with the right care.
6 Common Issues With Sofa Beds And Solutions
1. Sagging Sofa Bed Mattress
Earlier, when people thought about sofa beds, they were often very hesitant to pick one. Because the mattresses didn't offer the much-needed comfort for sleeping, they were too thin and made you feel the bar in your back and hindered sleep.
Today, they have evolved, and the mattresses are considerably thick because they now use high-density foam. You are promised better support and durability than older models.
But now comes the next issue with thick mattresses—sagging.
Mattress sagging in a sofa bed is a common frustration shared by sofa bed owners. Some causes of sagging are frequent use, poor support when the weight doesn't distribute evenly, and low-quality materials.
How Do You Fix The Sagging Issues In Your Sofa Bed Mattress?
Sagging usually happens when a mattress that undergoes frequent use. So, to ensure it wears out evenly, consider flipping or rotating the mattress every three months. Plus, avoid using the same spot often. This simple trick can delay sagging and keep things more balanced.
- To fix the sagging part, use a memory foam or gel-infused topper to cover the sags and bumps.
- If you find the mattress sagging stems from the lack of support from the frame, then take a thin plywood board, as it can stabilize the surface.
- If the sagging is too much and can't be fixed, it might be time for a new mattress. Sometimes, the mattress might be nearing its retirement, too; you never know.
Note: Mattresses require dusting and probably changing sheets as per schedule. It is a good practice to add an additional protection cover to prevent frequent dust accumulation.
2. Sofa Bed Mechanism Malfunctions Are A Headache
But don't worry; for the most part, you can troubleshoot it and keep them working normally.
- Mechanism Stuck
If any debris or fabric gets stuck in the sofa bed mechanism, it tends to get stuck. So, if you find converting the sofa into a bed an unusual struggle, then check for obstructions and clear it.
- Does Your Sofa Bed Jam During Folding Or Unfolding?
For some models, you should remove the sofa cushions or the extra pillows or bedding to convert the sofa into a bed. Otherwise, these things can block the system. This can affect the folding or unfolding. So, clear everything during the mechanism.
But even after this, you spot this issue: check if the sofa bed has bent parts or misalignments. So, fix them and try to realign the parts if possible or ask for professional support.
- Broken Springs Or Hinges
Another popular reason for mechanism issues is broken parts. You can easily find broken springs or hinges in the furniture repair shop.
- Is Your Sofa Bed Squeaking?
This is a lubrication problem. Try lubricating every moving part and testing it a few times. Also, loose components can cause friction. So, tighten any loose screws or bolts in the frame or the mechanism.
3. The Size Of A Sofa Bed
Sometimes issues with the sofa bed start the minute you try to convert it into a bed. Because the size of the sofa bed can be a problem when it doesn't fit in. This happens when you measure only the sofa's size but forget to consider how much space it occupies when it gets extended into a bed.
Plus, based on the mechanism, the sofa bed space requirement also changes. So, remember that the bed portion might easily take up more floor space than expected. On the other hand, if the sofa bed is too small or too large, it might not suit your sleeping needs because it won't be comfortable in the first place.
To avoid all the fuss about the size, take measurements of not just the sofa bed, including when extended, but also the space where you will be placing it.
4. Cushion Maintenance And Repair In Sofa Bed
Maintenance of a cushion is vital to ensure it serves its purpose and stays in tip-top shape. It's the usual norm too. But some sofa beds' back seat itself is used as a bed by making it flat. In such cases, cushion maintenance can't be taken for granted.
Some Common Sofa Cushion Repair Tips Are:
1. Flattened Cushions
With overuse, the cushion naturally loses its plushness. So, we recommend adding in a new foam or polyester foam insert into the cushion covers and bringing back the original shape. If DIY isn't your cup of tea, take the flattened cushions (considering it's removable) to an upholstery shop for re-stuffing.
2. Torn Upholstery Fabric
If the cushion fabric is torn, invest in a fabric repair kit if the tear is small and fix it. But if it's a big tear, consider sewing it up or replacing the cushion cover. But if both don't work, go for a slipcover. It can easily hide small tears and the big ones to some extent.
3. Sagging Sofa Base That Impacts Cushions
If the sofa base under the cushions is sagging, you can fix it by installing plywood or a sofa support board underneath. This makes it provide stable support with no fear of breaking down anytime.
4. Zipper Malfunctions
Replace all the broken zippers once in a while. For a quick fix, try using adhesive Velcro strips as a temporary closure.
To Maintain The Sofa Bed's Cushion, You Should,
- Regular fluffing is a must to stop the cushions from sagging and wearing unevenly.
- Your cushions, especially those nooks and corners, can easily collect dirt, crumbs, and dust. So, use a vacuum cleaner, especially attaching an upholstery attachment to remove the unwanted particles.
5. Unstable Sofa Bed Frame
A wobbly sofa bed frame is scarier than a horror movie. Because you tend to lounge on the sofa bed, but if it lacks the capacity to handle your weight. Or the frame is unstable, then it's a problem.
It might be due to loose screws, bent parts, an uneven setup, or an unstable frame that can easily mess with comfort and durability.
How to fix the wobbly sofa bed frame?
1. Tighten The Sofa Bed Frame
The frame is put together using screws and bolts. Over time, these can loosen, especially if the bed gets a lot of use. So, when it becomes loose, the frame starts wobbling. Grab a screwdriver or wrench and tighten every screw and bolt.
2. Inspect The Frame
A sofa bed frame should be straight, right? Warping occurs when the frame becomes bent or twisted out of its original shape. Weight pressure, poor material quality, or even exposure to moisture are the major causes of this problem. So, it's important to inspect the frame for wrapping issues and fix it.
3. Reinforce The Base
If you think that the sofa bed isn't strong enough to bear your weight considering it has become old, then strengthen it. Add L-brackets or extra wooden slats for more stability.
4. Check The Floor
It's not always the frame; sometimes, it's the surface on which it's placed. If the floor is uneven, then you should use furniture pads or stabilizers under the legs to make the sofa bed stand still.
Even after all these fixes, if the sofa bed wobbles, hire a professional to check the issue. If it's a new one, call your retailer and get it fixed.
A Quick Frame Maintenance Tip:
If it is made of steel or any metal, ensure the frame doesn't have any dust contamination and remove moisture content. So this can improve the life of metal by delaying the rusting process. If it is made of wood, it's necessary to prevent any water seepage, which might lead to the damage of the wood, thereby losing the rigidity of the support.
6. Bad Odor In Sofa Beds
Another important problem that is left unnoticed or not treated properly is the bad odor prevailing over the sofa bed. Using a proper perfume or a fragrance spray, you can ensure the material of the sofa bed doesn't emit any nasty odor.
To get rid of the foul-smelling issue,
- Vacuum the sofa bed first to remove dirt and other unwanted particles that potentially cause foul smells. You can use a fabric cleaner or baking soda on smelly areas.
- If you are opting for baking soda, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum it up. It's great for neutralizing odors.
- In some cases, your frame can smell due to the buildup of mildew. By using warm, soapy water, clean it and check if it's completely dry to prevent mildew.
- If you have kept the sofa bed in a closed room for a long time, naturally it becomes smelly. Here, you can air it out or place it outside in the sun for a few hours.
- The removable cushion covers can be thrown in the wash. Use a gentle detergent and let the sofa bed air dry to avoid shrinking.
Final Words
Sofa beds are super practical, dual-functional furniture, but with frequent usage, they start showing signs of wear. And issues start popping up. Most of the issues can be prevented if you had maintained it properly. But if you have been a busy bee and didn't show care, it's okay. It's never too late. You can still put in the effort and fix the problems.
Just by tightening screws, cleaning cushions, and airing things out, you can keep the sofa bed in good condition for a long time.
Anyways, you don't have to let small problems ruin the vibe. Hope this article made sense and helped you fix the common sofa bed issues.