Even if you have the best of intentions, pets have a way of breaking the careful rules you lay out for them. Plenty of dog and cat owners who swore they’d never allow animals on the couch have reluctantly given up their favorite spots for four-legged friends. It’s amazing how loving your pet can change everything you thought you knew about yourself.
If your pet is like a member of the family, your home décor may show some wear (at times). The simple act of your pet living in your home can warrant lots of cleaning. The best defense against furniture wear is pet-friendly upholstery fabrics. This is why selecting the best upholstery for your couch can get complicated. There are some heavy-duty fabrics that can withstand claw marks, prevent clinging pet hair, and resist dirt marks and stains due to occasional pet accidents.
As a general rule for choosing pet-friendly fabrics, look for something with a tight weave. Patterns, textures, and darker colors (like charcoal grey, brown, or camel-colored) fit the décor of most rooms, and hide pet hair and dirt until vacuuming can happen. If you have a pet with white hair, a lighter fabric will be a better choice in this instance. Keep in mind that chenille, velvet, silk, and tweed are all fabrics you should avoid when shopping for pet-friendly furniture.
Stick to tropical fish for a pet if you’re a furniture perfectionist. If you can handle a few love marks on your sofa, then read on for the best fabric options for pet owners.
·
Canvas- Canvas slipcovers make an especially
good option in homes with pets. The durable cotton fabric doesn't tear easily,
and you can simply remove the slipcover if it gets dirty and toss it in a
washing machine. They are also fairly inexpensive especially when comparing the
price to the cost of a new couch. So if your slipcover becomes ruined with claw
marks or stains, replacement is much less of a financial hurdle.
·
Denim- Rugged, durable and easy-to-clean
denim makes a good choice in casual rooms. While the informal fabric may look
out of place in fancier living rooms, comfy family rooms, sunrooms and cottage
interiors can benefit from denim furniture. You can spot clean denim with mild
soap and water or a baking soda paste. The tight weave of the fabric makes it easy to
vacuum off any stray pet hair.
·
Leather -Leather makes a good choice for people with pets because fur and
hair won't stick to it. You can simply vacuum it away and use a commercial
cleaner to keep the leather supple. However, leather does scratch (which
doesn't have to be a bad thing). If you have a cat, it's a good idea to keep
their nails trimmed as sharp claws can actually puncture the leather, leaving small
holes. After a while, leather develops a patina that some people think looks
great. A pet can contribute to the darkening of leather, especially if they
have a favorite spot on the couch. If you want your leather to stay pristine, keep your pets off of it. Or if that's not possible,
consider using a slipcover or blanket to protect your sofa.
·
Microfiber-Synthetic microfiber wears
well. It doesn't rip or scratch easily, and you can quickly remove accumulated
hair with a lint brush or even just by wiping it with your hands. Most stains
come out of microfiber with mild soap and water.
·
Outdoor
Fabrics- Stain-
and odor-resistant treated outdoor fabrics (like Sunbrella) repel moisture and even fend off bacteria
so you can share your couch with your pooch without compromising your own
comfort. You could bring outdoor furniture into the house, or make slipcovers
to cover pre-pet purchases. Or simply choose from an extensive selection of
fabrics, styles, and colors to upholster a new piece of furniture, a
design trend that outdoor fabric and furniture manufacturers both seem
perfectly willing to accommodate.
“He who is cruel to animals becomes
hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his
treatment of animals.” (Emmanuel
Kant)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“5 Great Pet-Friendly Fabrics for Your Home”
By Lauren
Flanagan
·
“Furniture Upholstery Choices for Cat and Dog
Owners” By Abe Abbas
·
“These Are the Best
(and Worst) Couch Fabrics for Pet Owners” by Amanda Harding
No comments:
Post a Comment