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Foam Care & Maintenance: How to Make Cushions Last Longer


🛋 Why Cushion Care Matters

Foam cushions aren’t just there to make sitting softer — they directly influence how you sit. Poor posture, especially over months or years, can cause or worsen back pain. In many cases, the culprit isn’t your back at all, but the furniture you’re sitting on. Good foam care & maintenance is essential.

New, supportive foam can transform the way your body is positioned. Correct posture takes strain off your spine and muscles, and for some people, that can mean the difference between daily aches and being pain-free.

Poor Posture = Back Ache

For more information on how sitting affects back health, the NHS guide to sitting and back pain has clear, practical advice.

Quick Posture Check for Sofas & Chairs (how to check your seating posture)

Most modern sofas are low, with deep, soft-filled cushions that feel great in the showroom — but can encourage poor posture at home. Here’s a quick way to check if yours needs improvement:

  1. Sit upright on your sofa or chair.
  2. Slide your heels back until they touch the frame or valance of the sofa.
  3. From there, slide your feet forward by roughly one foot-length.
  4. Look at your knees:
    • If your knees are above your hips – the seat is too low or too soft. This tilts your pelvis backwards, putting extra pressure on your lower back.
    • If your knees are level with your hips – better, but still not ideal.
    • If your knees are slightly below your hips – this is the best position for spinal alignment and long-term comfort.

Even small improvements matter. You may not get your knees perfectly below your hips depending on the sofa’s design, but firmer, higher-density foam can lift you enough to make a real difference — sometimes turning constant back pain into no pain at all. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s sitting posture advice is another useful reference.


1️⃣ Cleaning Your Foam Cushions (how to clean foam cushions without damage)

Regular cleaning keeps foam fresh, odour-free, and performing well. Dirt and oils break down fabrics and can even affect the foam inside if left too long.


How to Clean your Sofa

2️⃣ Rotate & Flip for Even Wear (why rotating sofa cushions matters)

Without proper Foam care & maintenance cushions compress where they’re used most. The most support comes from the centre of the foam block, where weight is distributed evenly. If you regularly sit on the edge, you’re compressing a thinner section of foam — support drops, the shape changes, and you may start “rolling” toward the centre when you sit properly.

Rotating and flipping cushions keeps the foam wearing evenly, making them feel firmer for longer. Proper rotation also protects the sofa’s springs and frame. Once a cushion sags, the structure underneath takes more strain, and that can mean costly repairs.

Top Tip Fibre or feather cushions should be plumped & turned on a daily bases. Foam cushions no less the once per week,


Turn & Plump your Cushions

3️⃣ Re-Wrap to Revive Comfort (how to make an old sofa cushion look new again)

If your cushions feel flat but the foam is still springy, the wrap is probably worn. Wrapping the foam in fresh polyester wadding restores volume and comfort instantly. Once you added the Polyester wrap ensure you practice good Foam care & maintenance

For professional upholstery standards, you can reference the Furniture Industry Research Association.


4️⃣ Store Cushions Properly (best way to store outdoor cushions in winter)

For outdoor furniture cushions, storage is where most people go wrong:

  • Never store foam and covers together in a damp shed or garage — moisture will create mould and odours.
  • Best practice: remove the covers at the end of the season, wash them, and store them indoors until spring.
  • Never store outdoor cushions outside under a tarp or cover. This traps moisture in, and you’ll find mould spots long before summer returns.

For more outdoor furniture care tips, see Better Homes & Gardens’ patio furniture maintenance guide.


Never store outdoor cushions outdoors in the winter
Never store outdoor cushions outdoors in the winter

✅ Keep Comfort for Years

Caring for your foam cushions isn’t just about looks — it’s about posture, comfort, and protecting your furniture. With a little maintenance, you can add years to their life. And when the time comes, Foam4U’s Foam Cut to Size service makes replacing them quick, easy, and perfectly fitted.

[Order Your Replacement Foam]