<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on couches]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by carlalamc http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Mon, 05 Jun 2006 08:18:40 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/1 Clean Used Couches

A few other places to try for couches that may prove cleaner than yard sales, which I'm surprised weren't mentioned:

Goodwill (where I got my super fun couch in great shape for $35!)

Salvation Army (same as Goodwill shops)

Freecycle.com (see if there's one setup for your city... just a central messageboard for getting or giving away stuff for free with other people in your area)

]]> Clean Used Couches

A few other places to try for couches that may prove cleaner than yard sales, which I'm surprised weren't mentioned:

Goodwill (where I got my super fun couch in great shape for $35!)

Salvation Army (same as Goodwill shops)

Freecycle.com (see if there's one setup for your city... just a central messageboard for getting or giving away stuff for free with other people in your area)

]]> Comment #2 by HU http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Mon, 05 Jun 2006 09:42:50 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/2 Sofa or Couch

How about davenport?

Or chesterfield?  (my favorite)

]]> Sofa or Couch

How about davenport?

Or chesterfield?  (my favorite)

]]> Comment #3 by harpette http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Mon, 05 Jun 2006 21:42:33 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/3 Just one potential problem

Second-hand furniture has many obvious advantages. But it carries a potential problem.
 I don't know whether this is a concern yet in your part of the country (or whether places like FreeCycle do anything special with the goods they receive before passing them on), but I'd be worried about bedbugs. It's a real problem and, from what I understand, pretty terrible.  

]]> Just one potential problem

Second-hand furniture has many obvious advantages. But it carries a potential problem.
 I don't know whether this is a concern yet in your part of the country (or whether places like FreeCycle do anything special with the goods they receive before passing them on), but I'd be worried about bedbugs. It's a real problem and, from what I understand, pretty terrible.  

]]> Comment #4 by elisedavies21 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Tue, 06 Jun 2006 01:32:52 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/4 And did I mention quality?

Buy old, used furniture! The quality can't be beat, unless you can afford five grand for a sofa. We bought "affordable" furniture and I paid for it again when I had to go to the chiropracter. Older furniture (with springs) is just made better.

]]> And did I mention quality?

Buy old, used furniture! The quality can't be beat, unless you can afford five grand for a sofa. We bought "affordable" furniture and I paid for it again when I had to go to the chiropracter. Older furniture (with springs) is just made better.

]]> Comment #5 by recyclewithkbk http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Sun, 11 Jun 2006 13:28:48 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/5 How about a Slipcover

There is another way to reuse older furniture whether it is bought from some one else, or from your own home.  All you have to do is slipcover the furniture.

I am not writing about those throw on things that you can purchase at the store or from the Surefit company, I am writing about a custom fitted slipcover.  This is custom made for each piece of furniture.  The main body is slipcovered and the cushion is slipcovered.

This is a great way to update, change the color, protect the furniture, or cover up an old worn piece of furniture.

If you know how to sew, you can make your own. Cost then would be for fabric only

 If you don't know how to sew, then a hired slipcover pro would be the best way to have it done...  Now there is the cost of labor and the cost of fabric.  

If one is concerned about older furniture and possible dust mites, it can be encased with an undergarment and then the new slipcover can go on top of that.

Just thought folks needed to know about this other option.  www.slipcovernetwork.com

]]> How about a Slipcover

There is another way to reuse older furniture whether it is bought from some one else, or from your own home.  All you have to do is slipcover the furniture.

I am not writing about those throw on things that you can purchase at the store or from the Surefit company, I am writing about a custom fitted slipcover.  This is custom made for each piece of furniture.  The main body is slipcovered and the cushion is slipcovered.

This is a great way to update, change the color, protect the furniture, or cover up an old worn piece of furniture.

If you know how to sew, you can make your own. Cost then would be for fabric only

 If you don't know how to sew, then a hired slipcover pro would be the best way to have it done...  Now there is the cost of labor and the cost of fabric.  

If one is concerned about older furniture and possible dust mites, it can be encased with an undergarment and then the new slipcover can go on top of that.

Just thought folks needed to know about this other option.  www.slipcovernetwork.com

]]> Comment #6 by lavd http://www.grist.org/article/couches/ Mon, 03 Jul 2006 01:34:28 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/couches/6 eco sofas

I think the idea to reuse older sofas and other upholstered furniture is great; however, I don't understand why you stop at telling people to avoid PBDE's (found in fire retardants) and not ask them to avoid the other 8,000 chemicals normally used in producing upholstery fabric, furniture (in glues, etc.) and in the foam that is often used in pillow filling.  These chemicals include formaldehye (often!) as well as many that have been proven to be harmful to human health (from causing rashes and headaches to cancer).  If you do reuse an older sofa, please search out toxin free fabrics and fill.

]]> eco sofas

I think the idea to reuse older sofas and other upholstered furniture is great; however, I don't understand why you stop at telling people to avoid PBDE's (found in fire retardants) and not ask them to avoid the other 8,000 chemicals normally used in producing upholstery fabric, furniture (in glues, etc.) and in the foam that is often used in pillow filling.  These chemicals include formaldehye (often!) as well as many that have been proven to be harmful to human health (from causing rashes and headaches to cancer).  If you do reuse an older sofa, please search out toxin free fabrics and fill.

]]>