How I Buy & Clean Used Sofas - Before You Buy A New Couch Watch This
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- In this video I share some information and tips to help you navigate the process of buying a used couch. I share what I look for and I also buy two used couches to use as examples to share how I clean and restore them.
Buying used furniture can be a great way to save money, and find unique and quality pieces for your home. However, it can also be challenging to know what to look for and how to assess the condition of the items you're interested in. This is especially true when it comes to buying used couches, which can be a significant investment.
Bissel Spot Cleaner (mine is an older model, link to Wirecutter for their recommendation) www.nytimes.co...
Bissel Portable Cleaning Solutions
www.bissell.co...
Enzyme cleaner "Whip Pet"
www.amazon.com...
Terry Towels
www.amazon.com...
About Melba Makes
This channel focuses on a buy “used” first approach to all things that go into making a home. Buying used as a lifestyle has allowed me to get a better value, save, and reduce waste. I create a variety of videos from interior design to following our home renovation journey. Come along for some fun thrifting for treasures, restoring pieces, decorating, and room makeovers. Also join us as we renovate our mid century California ranch house.
Thank you for watching!
Hey! Thanks for watching ❤ I tried to keep this video short and light but I could go even deeper into this topic. Let me know if you’d be interested in a more comprehensive video
Yes please do... I love videos like that
Me too !!!
am interested!
Of course!
I spilled a berry smoothie on my poof…I added O xy Clean to the cleaning solution… no purple stain…so maybe try adding some to your cleaning liquid
Maybe, do a video on Bedbugs? It seems to be a concern for many. Many of the interior designers here on RUclips use 2nd hand furniture. I don't think any of them have addressed the issue though. I asked one and they answered but not in the video for all to see.
THIS is my biggest concern!
I've wanted sooo bad to do this instead of buying, but the fear of not knowing whether or not someone had bed bugs, etc... scares me... IK the same can happen with purchased couches, but it's always the thought in my head😩
💯!!! I'd rather sit on the floor for months and save for a sofa than risk bed bugs. The small fortune of money I'd lose pitching all my other furniture, hell NOoooo 😩🤢
That’s what I was thinking and hoping she’d address.
Bed bugs can't handle extremes in temperature, so people often steam the furniture or seal it in plastic and put it in a sunny spot to get the temperature to 120F.
@@flaggov6949 True for extreme temps! Unfortunately the steam doesn't penetrate the deep layers and wood frames of upholstered furniture. Nor is a quick steam sustained high heat to ensure all the bed bug eggs die. It's a mostly cosmetic improvement. Sofa won't fit in the dryer for a sustained high heat cycle sooo.....nope! Freezing temps for a couple of days covered in plastic would work. Long enough outside to make sure all those eggies die. 👀
@@mtlsuzanne Geesh... see... yeah, that's too much for me and my little ones... #Geesh... This was definitely insightful and helpful...
Thank you so much for sharing this insightful channel on this content. It helps me prepare myself to find a good couch.
I’m glad it was helpful! 🙌🏽😊
Do you worry at all about bedbugs? Seems like that’s the biggest risk with used furniture. Especially if you can’t examine it in person.
I was thinking of all bugs. I'm afraid of hidden eggs or live bug transport in the furniture frame. It may be an odd fear but it does give me hesitancy.
I have gone through this journey and saved just shy of 7k furnishing my home, this would have been an indispensable guide early on. I am glad you are helping others to find this sort of thing. A helpful tip is that if you own a large vehicle and will be passing through any larger cities, shop those locations in a similar manner. They usually have larger higher-end selections.
That’s an amazing savings Aaron! Also thank you for sharing this helpful tip! Please continue to share any other learnings/tips you think would be helpful 😊 what’s been your personal favorite find for your home?
I think they both look great - and I truly wish that more people would re-use, re-purpose unwanted items to save everything hitting landfill! Imperfections, be they minor, are worth living with and removes the pressure of sitting on a brand new, plain couch and being fearful of marking it!
Same with a used car. Love how you said it.
I agree with you, but ... circulating bed bugs is an ever-growing problem.
Are you ever concerned with infestations (fleas, bed bugs, etc) when buying used sofas?
Do you ever worry about bug issues? That always deters me from getting used furniture. Very nicely done!!
I'm all for thrifting and saving items from a landfill, but nothing is worth the risk of bedbugs!! Once they get in, you'd have to pitch every other piece of furniture, or cause a building infestation worst case. Glass and metal furniture only, bedbug proof 😬✌️
I just bought a new house, 4 bed 2 bath, and I literally got all my furniture from friends and family. I only bought a couple rugs. All rooms are fully furnished thank God 🙌🏽
In my home looking around, everything is thrifted or a hand me down, or picked up on the side of the road. I went to a Restore to find a couch a couple of years ago.. this has always been my big story ha. There was the couch of my dreams, Ioved it! It had come down in price but not enough, kept an eye on it and when I finally purchased it ...$11.00.
I cleaned it and I'm so happy!! Love your content 😂 ❤❤❤
It really can be a roller coaster sometimes! Congratulations on scoring your couch for $11!! 👏🏽😊
Fir the set in dirt like grease, make a solution with water, dish soap (dawn works best) and vinegar. Leave it and clean after a few hours.
I got super lucky and paid $25 for a couch at a thrift store that had just been reupholstered. It has wood legs that are scratched and I need to touch up, but the upholstery is clearly brand new, and well done, down to the “underneath” part. Sometimes reupholsterers will decide to just cover the old cushions and internal fabric parts if it’s in ok shape, but I’d bet anything this was totally redone also. My only explanation is that a reupholster shop completed it and it was never picked up, and they donated it to this church affiliated shop because they supported the charity. I figure this frees up some funds to reupholster my mother’s old chair that I really like and would like to keep. I only wish I knew who had reupholstered the sofa so I could take it to them.
Amazing!! Thank you for sharing 🤗 I wish for you too that you could find whoever did your couch! Good luck with reupholstering the chair, please share how it goes and any tips that come from the experience if you do!
I wonder if they forgot or could not afford to pay that is why they did not pick it up?
Hi Melba. Great channel. I just subscribed. I always wanted to know how to clean second hand couches since I am looking for a couch myself. By the way, my name is Melba as well! 😊
Thank you, I’m glad it was helpful 😊 A fellow Melba woohoo! I understand your username lol Melba Toast and Melba Peach!
I’ll never understand how anybody can buy a white or cream coloured couch. Isn’t it permanently grubby? Doesn’t it turn blue if you wear jeans a lot? I know I’d be constantly checking for marks and soiling.
It’s the same with carpets; when we moved into our present house the stair carpet was cream. And filthy. It had become so discoloured by use it couldn’t be restored to its former colour.
People in my area are delusional. Someone is selling a Pottery Barn couch that has clearly been used as a scratching post by their cat for $475!!!
Oh no 😳
Great video! Sometimes the S cleaning code is not just because of the fabric but because of its down filled (which the dirty one looked to possibly be). If you get the feathers wet they can clump up and get hard.
Thank you for sharing this! Yes, the S couch did have some down filled sections!
In this throw away society, I'm thrilled to see your attitude of recycling!
How do you feel about JD Vance ?
RUclips algorithm creepily accurate with this one 😂
I’m glad RUclips brought us together 🙌🏽
Do you have a solution for bed bugs or other little nasties that may not be removed from just a spot clean?? I love your west elm white couch sooo much. What a steal!!! 💕💕
You appeared on my life at the perfect time! I’m moving next month to live alone and my goal since the begging was to buy only used things. You’re channel was an amazing find! thank you so muuuuuch
So exciting Valeria, I would also like to hear about how it goes once you start looking for pieces next month! 😊 I’m so so happy to hear that you are enjoying the channel! If there’s anything you would find helpful that I can share from my experience please let me know!
I’m getting married soon and have been looking through facebook marketplace for so long. Do you have any advice?
I'd have to have any sofa professionally steam cleaned before I'd have it in my home or even sit on it.
People are nasty.
I don't know, still squeamish about buying used sofas. I did it once back in 2013. Bought a nice sofa for $35. Had no idea it was infested with bed bugs. I took me 3 years and hundreds and hundreds of dollars to be completely free of the bugs. I had to throw out everything, other beds, other chairs, carpets, curtains etc. Those bugs got into every crevice of my house that it could find. It was so devastating. And yet, the prices of sofas are so high, used sofas are all I can afford. I can buy futons, but many are so hard to sit on. I need a new sofa right now but I'm hesitant to go to a secondhand store to get one. This event was too traumatizing. All because of a cheap $35 sofa.
Probably too late, but you could find a store that offers layaway. You could make affordable payments
Get some male friends so you dont spend so much on delivery lol
You're a terrible friend
The shape and condition is great. If still has stains, there are some great sofa covers. Still a lot cheaper than new.
We have a toddler and three dogs and always buy used couches and refurbish them because we don't want to spend thousands just to have them destroyed in a few years. My one rule is I always buy leather and I always look for furniture when I DON'T need it. Otherwise, you end up making rash decisions. People always compliment us on our furniture.
I like the grey couch. I’ve also done this with old furniture. I’ve on occasion taken the cushion covers off and put them in the washer on cold with gentle soap on gentle cycle and air dried. Turned out good, but it is risky maybe.
I’m actually thinking about sewing by hand a few spots.
Wow those cleaned up amazing Bissell should sponsor u.....thx for the education on fabric types...love the leather sofa my vote would go to the S fabric one to keep.
Haha thank you! And I am so torn - I like the shape of the s couch more but I also like the white color of the other one! Thank you for the fresh eye input, it helps!
How do you factor in the possibility of bedbugs in used furniture like this?
Would you please do a full home tour? I'm a new subscriber and I just love your home and would love to see more and I'm sure your other subscribers agree!
Do you ever worry about bed bugs or mites on cloth couches?
It’s not really something that I have worried about likely because it’s never been an issue. But I do 100% recognize that it’s a risk and I just do my best to ask as many questions about the history of couch (I have a list of questions). I understand that might not work for everyone and that’s totally fine!
If you're only spot-cleaning S-rated fabric, would white gas work. Before cleaners got as sophisticated as they are now, that's what we commonly used. It's flammable, so it must be used with care in a well-ventilated are, but I've used it with success on carpet for oily stains and shoe polish. I wouldn't recommend bathing a whole couch in it though.
Thank you for this tip Lynda! Do you remember how long before the smell went away? Glad you got the stains out of your carpet!
@@MelbaMakes I don't recall exactly as it was some decades ago, but if you blot a good deal of it with white rags (to avoid colour bleeding) and open windows and doors, gas evaporates quickly. And you're only using it on spots,not the whole thing.
You did a great job and inspired me to tackle my own upholstery pieces. Thanks. I would keep the S couch. I think you can continue to work on it and look for other solutions.
Your whole approach to accessing then taking action for these items, is to be commended!
❤️🙏🏽 I hope it was a fun video 😊
I think you did a beautiful job! I’m so proud of the outcome for you😊 keep up the good work! Oh, also, can you give me the name of the soundtrack in your video, I love that music. Thank you!
Love your channel! Appreciate that your dialog is informative and to the point! Sofa cleaning is a drag but that Bissell is worth the price for sure. Keep up the good work. Subscriber!!!
Thank you Nancy!! ❤️ I may need to replace my Bissell (I bought mine used a while back, I’m not even sure they sell it anymore), do you have a Bissell spot cleaner that you use and recommend? It seems like the Little Green is very popular
Soooo, I am still trying to style my new home. It has been a journey just like you said...I guess why I love this channel so much already. You are or were in the same boat I am in. Hunting all thrift and consignment shops for good furniture. I hit a wall and gave up for a month...then got back to looking last weekend. I found 2 chairs! WOO HOO! I thought of you the whole time. I looked and a reputable brand. I did not see how to care for it. I might have overlooked it in the excitement. Already, you are helping others.
Thank you so much for sharing how it’s going for you! I totally understand having periods of frustration and not finding pieces you hope can work in your space. I have found that breaks and/or accepting the “wrong piece” as a temporary helps me out! I hope you are enjoying your two new chairs!! What’s next at the top of your list?
That's so cool and for you it can be a great business if you know that maybe some of your friends are moving and need a new couch. You can buy them a used one and with your cleaning skills have them buy it from you or even your neighbors. I want to get a cleaning kit and do what you're doing.
Thank you for the great video! Finally I know how people do clear light coloured sofas. Still you left all of us guessing what do y do with sofas you are not keeping? It's not something you can just put in the rubbish bin
I really enjoyed your video! Almost everyone on RUclips is crazy annoying but yours seemed down to earth and informative
Definitely going to keep this in mind for my own couches! Thank you! Bed bugs scare the crap out of me so struggle to consider second hand upholstery unless I know the owner. 😬
I too had that fear. But I learned from a retailer that in the state I live they are required to use this spray on all soft furniture. She said they can even come by on a pop visit and check with this tool to see if they have done it. If not they get fined. She said if you care about your business you will do it. No one wants to lose money and be fined. (there was a tag on all the furniture and I asked what was that). So, check your state. I also found asking the owner where they get their furniture helps too. Not that that is a "safety" that you still cannot but I think lowers chances.
Thank you for giving new life to furniture and preventing it from going into landfill!
Great info on cleaning different fabric types- - many thanks!
I'm glad you found it helpful, thank you for watching Lisa!
My college bf had an apartment and the building had roaches and he took a mattress from his parent’s house. I would get bites and didn’t know what they were. He never got any bumps, he must have bed bug immunity. I finally saw the bed bugs. I can’t believe I stayed with him over there. It was so gross.
People are really throwing out 4 year old couches because they want to do warm organic minimalism instead of cool 2010s minimalism. I find that so fucking concerning. Why are people throwing out perfectly good furniture a few years after they bought it? Like I understand 10-20 years. But 4 years?
Am I the only one that almost never sees couches on fb marketplace? If I do they usually look like they have been sitting outside for months or have straight up dookie on them😂😭
I was given a good microfiber covered couch and rubbing alcohol put on a white cloth and rubbing the arms of it, changing to a clean area of the cloth often worked perfectly.
Thanks for sharing this tip Karen! 😊
I love the idea of free couch! But if i get a couch i will make sure that it has a raised head support, i will not go for only back spport. Back & head has to support for me to be comfortable!
A great consideration!
You did a fantastic job cleaning these couches up!
I really like the first couch you cleaned best.
I could never buy a used couch. I’ve seen too much with small humans & pets. 😂
Have ever tried tuff stuff? It’s found in the auto section it’s a foam spray and wipe off with damp cloth it cleans really well that could also be a 1st step it may also get out some of the stains you could’t get out good luck!
Thank you for the tip Valerie! I will check out Tuff Stuff, I haven’t tried it before! 🙏🏽😊
My german Shepherd would have Georgia red clay over my white couch 😂
This was so interesting. In future please leave the captions on screen a little longer to allow time to read them.
Noted, thank you for this feedback Julie!
When I buy used couches I always choose leather because it's easier to keep clean!
I agree, it’s SOO much easier to clean!
Question. I want to sell a couch but afraid to have strangers come to my house. Is there another way?
Can I have the couch Sophia Carmen other mom doesn't have that please
I have a leather sofa I want to convert to outdoor. Do you know where I can get outdoor slip covers
Got bed bugs buying used furniture …let me tell you it’s depressing sad and a lot of work
Microfiber towel wrapped around a large glass pot lid cleans couch and bedding with dish soap and water sprayed on stains will be as good if not better than bissel
Hi Melba! I was excited to see this video and the topic. The content was useful, helping me to rethink my options and what is possible. I'm in between homes now and looking at unfurnished solutions to make it the way I like, it's why I was drawn to your 7day challenge video. Your home is beautifully done! ❤
Feedback: I had to slow down the first part to make it more comfortable to watch. You seemed less sure about this part, but then in the cleaning and styling parts, it was clear you were enjoying yourself. I'm get a similar buzz from the transformational experience of cleaning, so I get it😂
Hi Nicola! I’m happy to hear that you found the video content helpful and that you enjoyed the cleaning transformation! I would love to hear what option you end up deciding on for your home, please keep us posted! Also, thank you for the feedback, I noted to slow down transitions (I assume that you are referring the the fast transitions in the first 30 seconds?) - thank you for watching, the kind words, and constructive feedback! 😊🙏🏽
Hi Melba, so it was the first 5mins or so when you were describing the process of finding the sofas. But I was able to resolve that by slowing down the video to better process the information. But that's me, others may not have the same experience.
My timing around finding a home is uncertain, so far only temp solutions. Its another reason I watch these videos, to keep me inspired and positive. So thank you again for your videos 😊🙏
It’s still helpful to know the pace was a little fast, thanks for that additional insight! I’m happy the channel can bring some fun - I’ll be thinking of you and wishing for the best Nicola 😊🙏🏽
We did this with a letter sofa. An than saddle soap it and it looked brand new
I saw a couch with urine ...do I buy it and clean it ?
You call them sofa's couches sounds trashy.
God that leather couch is my dream couch 😭
Great tips! Looking to furnish a rental and you have some great ideas. Thanks!
Thank you for watching Pia, I’m glad it was helpful! ❤️❤️🫣
Love this video, perfect timing for me because I'm actively couch shopping. I have a question: How wet does this make the sofa, any strategies for dealing with the wetness, and do you rinse the solution out or leave it in the couch?
The bissell machine I used also extracts the liquid out so it’s not dripping wet. But it’s usually dry in less than 24 hours for me (faster if put out in the sun and Bissell, I believe, recommends 4-6 hours before sitting - please double check their website though). I don’t see that it should be rinsed but please double check the instructions of whatever formula you use 😊
I learned so much from this! I am curious though, does your cat scratch the couches?
Yay, I’m glad it was helpful! There was no stopping our older cat from scratching occasionally if he didn’t go out enough. Our current cat that we got as a kitten we put a lot of smaller scratchers near areas that he perches. I found videos on Jackson Galaxys channel really helpful, he has a lot of great advice on the subject! Specifically what helped with our current cat was figuring out the type of scratcher he liked and setting a few of those in different areas. Good luck and thank you for watching!
Great video Melba. I like both the white and the bench couch but i can't resist the look of a bench sofa, i absolutely love them.
Welcome back Saida! I’m glad you enjoyed this video 😊 I am also leaning towards the couch you like more, thank you for sharing your thoughts, the additional perspective is helpful!
What fabrics do you go for?
Hi, what do you do when the couches smell bad? Is there a product that you recommend that I can buy?
Hi Olga, the enzyme cleaner (mentioned in the video) is my first go-to product for odors! It’s called “Whip-Pet”
Best couch for heavy people?
Hi I could to understand who you use for delivery? It is a good video but you are talking very very fast. Thank you very much. Please list who you use for delivery?TY
Lugg movers!
I bought a used fabric headboard thinking that the person would be honest and brought it home "cleaned" it and a week later I was bitten all over from bed bugs. I had to throw everything away. And spent more money washing my clothes and buying a new mattress pillows etc than what the bed was worth. Now I'm super paranoid about buying furniture that has cloth.
I am so so sorry 😔💔
No worry about bed bugs or vomit ?
Forget hiring a service, get a trailer hitch put onto your vehicle if it doesn't have one built in. My Ford Explorer had one built in so I spent $60 on the hitch attachment and now I go to U-Haul and rent an open trailer (8x 5) for $18 for the entire day! This has enabled me to buy things from as far as 2 hrs away that were an absolute steal!
#diy, #frugalgirl, #wifematerial
Wonderful video. FYI, if the cushion covers come off, wash them. If there is that type of stain, replace the cushion insert. The average cost is $25-$30. Is there a link for your fuzz buster?. Thank you!!
Do you worry about bed bugs?
Hi ! Recently found your channel! And subscribed :))) I will be very happy if you can throw here sofa measurements from that west elm sofa that you don’t know the name . I almost sure that is the Harris sofa . Want to find it out by measuring yours lol. It’s beautiful sofa ! And you did incredible work!!! Sorry if I asked too much! Have a great day!
What is the name of the service you used? Are you saying Lug? Never heard of it.
Lugg, it's a furniture delivery service you can access through an app. It's not available in every region though
If you think it's an oil stain, use straight dawn dish soap all over the area. Let it sit overnight, then just use plain water to. Go over and clean til no more soap. It worked on a 100 percent cotton dress that I got pure grease on
Thank you for this tip! I’m glad you saved your dress!!
Let me know if it works for you
I did this with a pair of dsf sofas years ago. They were in a stroge unit and on had damp on it. . That was 15 years ago and there as soild as if new. They cleaned up real nice. Last month i replaced the foam and padding . Very comfortably. All these years. These sofas have been slept on by my then teen sons 3 of them lol. There friends that used to stay . My family. So its had a hard life but you wouldnt no
My mom would use white gasoline on S upholstery. I don't know what white gasoline is, but it worked.
I love your free finds😮😊 I live in Florida and I have never found anything good, thank for your information
I wash my cousins covers in the washing machines. Lowe’s let shampoo is the best. I also sprayed it with a water hose.
Hi Melba greatings from Holanda ,I like the white one, thank you for sharing kind regards
Where did you get that magazine stand? It's beautiful.
I've also missed out on a lot of staff but now I've become smarter about buying staff on Marketplace, if the item is in a high demand I usually add money so that they can keep it for me.
Great tips, thank you! Could you please do a video on how to restore a leather couch with scratches? Thanks
CAN YOU USE DAWN
This was such a helpful video, thank you for posting it😀
what were your thoughts on the eddy couch? im glad its easier to clean…im looking to buy the same one! was the texture ok I heard it was a bit rough
Excellent video! Thank you!
Very useful video! I love the idea of recycling high end items while getting good deals and having fun bringing them back to new condition! I’m so inspired
Bed bugs
What’s the name of the enzymatic cleaner again?
It’s all great until you be up with bed bugs.