plastic covered couch....

[liagrl.livejournal.com]

I have inherited a white loveseat from my grandmother's house and it is covered in plastic. I guess the plastic was used to keep my cousins and I from making it dirty or whatever. I HATE the plastic and I want to take it off but I heard that if I take the plastic off it would ruin the fabric. Is that even true? Also, does anyone know of cheap ways to spruce it up?

Thanks so much!
<3