Name: Tricia

Message: I have chemical sensitivities and should avoid Chlorox.  However, I was given a very old but sturdy sofa, custom built in 1968.   The fabric is not too worn (it was from 1978).

The problem is that overall it looks to be an icky olive green.  I cannot afford to re-do it.

I took a little chlorox and water and sponged in on a piece of fabric under the cushions.
It brightened it wonderfully to a yellow, orange and a still olive, but cheerier, green.

I had to have a natural carpet cleaning company come and clean the couch to begin with as it was musky.  they also went of the part I bleached as the odor really did me in.

I cannot be around chemicals.  But this couch is so ugly.  I'd really like a way to brighten it or dye it with no-smell natural and non-toxic.   It could go darker to a royal blue or deep teal . . . but I really like sunny colors for a small apt.

I would appreciate your help.   Thanks so much for any advice.

Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is far more of a problem than most household chemicals, and much, much more dangerous than the fiber reactive dye I like to use. See my blog entry for October 19, 2005, "Why We Should Be Very Careful When Using Chlorine Bleach".

Dyeing upholstered furniture never works, unless you are dyeing removable slipcovers, because dye must be rinsed out extensively, to prevent it from rubbing off on anyone who touches it, ruining their clothing. 

Instead of dyeing, it is possible to use fabric paint to color upholstered furniture, but doing so generally costs just as much as getting a slipcover made. Here is a page on exactly how to do it, written by Deb Horowitz of the Scarlet Zebra: "Instructions for Painting Upholstered Furniture".

Fabric paint is typically labeled "non-toxic", though you should ideally wear gloves to avoid getting it on your hands, as with any other art material.

The least expensive option would be to learn to sew your own slipcovers, perhaps using a book such as "So Simple Slipcovers". Try your local public library to see if they have a book on how to sew slipcovers.

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