Taking apart a sofa (couch) is really a daunting task if you don’t know what you are doing. We have all been there; you purchase a new couch and have to get rid of the old one. We have all had to dispose of an old sofa when we have moved in the past. Just like the famous “Pivot” scene from friends we have all had to get an exceedingly heavy old couch down a set of seemingly endless stairs. Anyone who has lived on a third-floor apartment or higher can tell you what a nightmare it is to get up and down the stairs with two hundred pound hide-a-bed. Perhaps you are moving and need to get rid of your old sofa with other pieces of furniture; maybe you are just doing a cleanout. So without further ado, here is how to take apart a couch so you can take it down in pieces.
Breaking it Down
Before you can begin to take apart a couch, you need to have the proper tools. Here is a list of what you will need to take apart your sofa.
- A Hammer with a Claw for removing nails or staples.
- An Allen Wrench (especially if you bought your couch at Ikea).
- Both Phillips and Standard head screwdrivers.
- A staple puller (if your hammer is too big).
- A Handsaw.
- A straight edge (box cutter).
Step One- Take off any Pillows and Cushions
Taking off cushions and pillows is the obvious first step in dismantling your sofa. Make sure to throw them in the roll-off dumpster if you are not planning to keep any pillows. Old pillows from a sofa can make excellent throw pillows for your new sofa or a bed. If your old couch is a hide-a-bed (our condolences), you need to remove the mattress along with your cushions and pillows and dispose of it in your roll-off dumpster (prohibited in Maryland).
Step Two- Remove Upholstery
This step is where your straight edge (box cutter) comes in. You will need to cut away the fabric to expose the frame beneath it. It may be as simple as pulling staples, but in most cases, some cutting is required. If you are going to reuse the fabric, make sure to cut in neat, straight lines; if you are throwing it in your rental dumpster, then you don’t need to worry about neatness. Occasionally the cushions will be attached to the fabric; if you plan on keeping them, you should be cautious when cutting the material away. Now you can see the exposed frame and take it apart, but not just yet.
Step Three- Remove the Legs
This step is simple enough. Sometimes you can unscrew sofa legs by hand, in other cases it will require a screwdriver or Allen wrench. If the legs are fused, use a handsaw to cut them off.
Step Four- Take the Frame Apart
Now you can use your screwdrivers or Allen wrenches to disassemble the couch frame. In some cases, you may have to pull nails as well. Once you have it apart, you can cut wooden pieces into a smaller, more manageable size, so it is easier to carry. Smaller pieces of the couch let you take it down in an elevator rather than having to use stairs if you are on an upper floor of a building.
Use Dumpstermaxx Dumpsters to Dispose of old Sofas and Furniture
We can help you with your move or cleanout project by delivering a rental roll-off dumpster to your location. We will also pick it up once it’s full. We will place it in your driveway or apartment parking lot. Call us now or fill out our easy online contact form today! A friendly member of our team will help you order the correct size dumpster and schedule a time when we can deliver it. Don’t hesitate, get rid of that old couch today!