How to Stop a Sofa Cover Slipping
Share
Quick answer
To stop a stretch sofa cover slipping, push the foam rods deep into the gap where the seat meets the back, then tuck the spare fabric firmly into every gap. Most slipping comes from rods that sit too shallow, a cover in the wrong size, or a cover put on back to front. Fix those three things and a one-piece cover should stay in place when you sit down.
The seven fixes below take a few minutes and need no tools. They work on fabric and leather sofas.
Why sofa covers slip
A stretch cover only stays put when it is held at the seat gap and fits the sofa snugly. When it slides, one of these is usually the reason.
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Seat fabric rides up when you sit | Foam rods too shallow or missing | Push the rods deeper into the seat gap (fix 1) |
| Loose, baggy fabric everywhere | Cover is too big for the sofa | Measure arm to arm and check the size (fix 7) |
| Seams pull to one side | Cover is twisted or back to front | Line up the BACK tags with the back corners (fix 2) |
| Fabric creeps out at the front | Spare fabric not tucked in | Tuck the extra fabric into the gaps (fix 3) |
| Arms slide off | Arm sections not fully over the arms | Pull each arm section down over its arm (fix 4) |
| Cover slides on a smooth sofa | Leather or faux leather gives little grip | Rods in deep, plus extra grip in the gap (fixes 1 and 6) |
7 ways to stop a sofa cover slipping
- Push the foam rods in deep. Every OCVES stretch sofa cover comes with non-slip foam sticks. Press them as far as they will go into the gap where the seat meets the back. The deeper they sit, the better they hold the fabric when you sit down.
- Line up the BACK tags. Inside the cover are two tags marked BACK. Match them to the back corners of your sofa before you stretch the cover down, so the seams sit where they should.
- Tuck in the spare fabric. Push any extra fabric into the gaps around the seat and between the seat and arms. Tucked fabric acts as an anchor; loose fabric pulls the cover out of place.
- Fit each arm properly. Pull each arm section of the cover right down over the arm, front and back, before you smooth the seat. An arm that sits halfway will pull the rest of the cover with it.
- Put the cushions back on top. If your sofa has loose seat or back cushions, take them off before fitting and put them back on top of the cover. Their weight helps hold the fabric down.
- Add a little extra grip in the seat gap. On a very smooth or shallow gap, a rolled-up towel or a length of pool noodle pushed in alongside the foam rods gives the fabric more to hold on to.
- Check the size. A cover that is too big will always move, however well it is tucked. Measure from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other and compare with the size table below. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one and tuck the extra fabric in.
It also helps to refit the cover after washing: wash it cold on a gentle cycle, then fit it again in the same order. Our step-by-step fitting guide has a short video and pictures of each step.
Leather and faux leather sofas
Stretch covers fit leather sofas too. Smooth leather gives the fabric less to grip than a fabric sofa, so the foam rods matter even more. Push them in as deep as they go, tuck the spare fabric firmly, and add extra grip in the seat gap if the cover still moves (fix 6). More in our guide: do stretch sofa covers fit leather sofas?
Check the size
Measure your sofa from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other.
| Size | Width (arm to arm) |
|---|---|
| 1 Seater (armchair) | 80–120 cm (32–47 in) |
| 2 Seater | 145–178 cm (57–70 in) |
| 3 Seater | 185–235 cm (72–91 in) |
All sizes fit a back height of 79–104 cm (31–41 in) and a depth of 81–107 cm (32–42 in). The covers are made for sofas and armchairs with two arms, not corner sofas or sofas without arms. Not sure how to measure? See how to measure your sofa or use the size finder.
FAQs
Why does my sofa cover keep coming untucked?
Usually the foam rods are not deep enough in the seat gap, or the cover is a size too big. Push the rods in further and check your arm-to-arm measurement.
Do I need the foam rods?
Yes. They hold the fabric in the gap between the seat and the back, which is what stops the cover riding up when you sit down.
Will a sofa cover stay on a leather sofa?
Yes, if the rods are pushed in deep and the spare fabric is tucked in firmly. Leather is smoother, so extra grip in the seat gap can help.
Will washing make the cover looser?
Wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle, then tumble dry low or line dry. Refit it in the same order, with the rods pushed back in.
Still slipping? Email info@ocves.co.uk with a photo of your sofa and we will help.