14 Sofa Sins & Couch Crimes That Wear Out Your Seating

A good couch or sofa doesn’t come cheap, so once you find one you love, it only makes sense to take good care of it! There are plenty of common behaviors that can wear out couches prematurely or even break them, so avoiding those can go a long way.

In this post, I’m sharing 14 bad habits that can cause undue wear and tear to your sofa. On the bright side, all of these harmful habits are easy to avoid, and doing so will keep your sofas and couches in much better condition over time.

(For those wondering how long sofas generally last, it depends! Low-cost and mid-priced sofas have a lifespan of about 10 years, while pricier couches can last 25 years or more!)

14 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Sofa

1. Always Sitting In The Same Spot

It’s fairly common to gravitate towards a certain spot on the couch, but consistently sitting in the same spot over a long period of time can cause it to wear unevenly. Your sofa could end up being saggy and worn on one end, but look and feel relatively new on the other.

Instead, mix up where you sit on the sofa. Sit on the left one day, then on the right or in the middle the next day. Distributing weight over the entire couch will help prevent premature wear in any one area.

2. Jumping On It

Resist the urge to throw yourself onto your sofa, no matter how distressing the latest episode of your favorite TV drama was! Jumping on your couch (or dropping a lot of weight onto it all at once) can weaken the frame, making it less supportive and increasing the likelihood of squeaks and creaks.

The same principle applies to recliners, so always recline gently and smoothly. You’ll keep your sofa or recliner nice for years longer just by treating it gently!

3. Vacuuming It Infrequently

You vacuum your carpet every week, but do you vacuum your sofa? It’s a good habit to get into, because regularly vacuuming up crumbs, dirt, and other debris can help keep the upholstery clean and in better condition over time.

Start by removing the cushions and vacuuming underneath them and around the frame, then use an upholstery attachment to vacuum the cushions thoroughly.

Related: I Tried The #1 Vacuum On Amazon, And Here’s My Honest Opinion

4. Exposing It To Pollutants

When it comes to your sofa’s upholstery, everyday dirt and grime aren’t the only threats. Indoor pollutants like kitchen grease and cigarette smoke can settle into your upholstery too! To prevent discoloration and odors in your sofa, use the hood over your cooking range to filter out grease and smoke, and don’t smoke indoors.

5. Sleeping On It

Does sleeping on a couch damage it, really? Well, sofas are meant for sitting, not sleeping! Lying on your sofa for prolonged periods of time will cause it to sag and even deteriorate over time. A short nap is fine, but if you’re settling in for a full 8 hours, it’s better to make the trip to the bedroom.

6. Rarely Cleaning It

Even if your sofa doesn’t look particularly dirty, there are likely all kinds of things lurking in your sofa’s upholstery. Since you sit on it so often, it’s important to keep it clean! Once a year or so, take the time to thoroughly clean your couch upholstery (or hire a professional to do it).

7. Using The Wrong Cleaners

Avoid “all-purpose” cleaners if you’re looking to make your sofa last longer. It’s better to use a cleaner that’s formulated for your specific material(s). Check out the following links to learn about cleaners that are suitable for these materials: microfiber upholstery, wood, and leather.

8. Failing To Protect The Upholstery

One of the easiest ways to keep your upholstery looking great is to protect it from getting dirty in the first place! Instituting a “no eating on the couch” rule is a simple and effective option, but if that’s not your style, you can always put a blanket or sheet over the couch when eating food, or treat the upholstery with a protective spray like Scotchgard.

9. Never Rotating The Cushions

Another simple way to maximize the life of your sofa is to rotate the cushions regularly. Flip them over so the other side faces up, and swap their positions if possible. This will help prevent uneven wear (and it will remind you to clean stains that are easy to forget about or ignore.)

10. Putting It In A Sunny Spot

Sunlight can have a bleaching effect on certain fabrics, so it’s important to position your sofa in an area that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight. Over time, exposure to UV rays can cause sofa upholstery to lighten unevenly, particularly around throw pillows. Keep it in a shaded area of the room, or make sure your blinds are closed during the times when the most sunlight is coming into the room.

Related: The One Extremely Simple Thing You Need To Do To Your Pillow

11. Not Treating Stains ASAP

If something spills on your sofa, it’s important to clean it immediately. The longer a stain sits on the fabric, the higher the risk that it will leave behind a permanent stain. So you can maximize your chances of lifting the stain out by tackling it right away!

Related: Is This Popular Pint-Sized Carpet Cleaner Any Good?

12. Failing To Enforce Reasonable Rules

You likely made a pretty significant financial investment in your sofa, so don’t be afraid to set rules in order protect that investment! It may not do much harm to sit on the arm of a sofa or stand on a couch once or twice, but having clear rules against these behaviors will help prevent them from becoming an issue in the long run.

13. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

Furniture joins can get loose and wobbly from regular use, so take the time to tighten those screws and bolts regularly. It might require a bit of effort to get to the underside of your sofa, but it’s well worth the effort! A wobbly foot on your sofa is more likely to break, so tightening a few screws could help avoid an expensive repair (or replacement) down the road.

Related: 9 Important Home Maintenance Tasks You Need To Stop Ignoring

14. Moving It Around Haphazardly

The most perilous time for your furniture is during a move from one location to another, so make sure to be careful! Always lift your sofa, rather than pushing, pulling, or dragging it. And don’t stack heavy items against or on top of your sofa, as that can cause damage as well.

Related: 7 Design Mistakes To Avoid (Or Correct) In Your Home

Do you have any tips for keeping your sofa in good shape?