What sofa upholstery to choose if there is a pet in the house: designer tips

If there is a cat living in the house or purchasing a pet is only in the plans, you should think about a very pressing question - how to choose the right upholstery for the sofa and armchairs.

Experienced cat owners know firsthand that the sofa often becomes their favorite place to live, comfortable in all respects: you can sleep on it in comfort, and you can sharpen your grown nails with pleasure !

And even with great luck, when the cat does not make any attempts to deliberately damage the furniture, it is still impossible to completely protect him from walking on the sofa.

Relax

An alternative to leather can be Relax upholstery material. It has good anti-vandal characteristics, and its maintenance does not require much effort. Also, pet owners will be able to quickly hide scratches and nicks that appear on this material.

Designers also advise pet owners to:

• do not choose a sofa with wooden elements;
• pay attention to the color of the upholstery - if possible, it should match the color of the pet’s fur, otherwise the fur will be very noticeable on the furniture;
• purchase special “repellent” products with lemon or orange scents at pet stores - cats will avoid furniture with such scents.

What kind of material is it and what are its features?

Anti-vandal cat fabric is a wear-resistant material that is difficult to damage. The main purpose is to protect furniture from the early formation of bald spots, abrasions and holes on the surface. At the same time, the fabric repels fat and water due to Teflon impregnation, therefore it is resistant to stains. But it is important to understand that leatherette or velvet are not endowed with anti-vandal properties, so they will not save furniture from cat claws.

Pros and cons of the material

• Long wear life. The fabric is not damaged due to the density of the structure and close weaving. The fibers simply protect against the cat's claws, preventing them from penetrating deeper.
• High rigidity and abrasion resistance. As a result, over time, the upholstery does not lose shape or sag, and bald spots do not form.
• Preservation of the original color, which does not fade.
• Resistance to any type of contamination due to Teflon impregnation. The structure of the fabric is water- and dust-repellent, therefore, greasy and oil stains do not form on the surface.

The only disadvantage of anti-vandal material is the high price.

Conclusion

Generally, tightly woven fabrics are the best option for upholstery if you have pets. It is much more difficult to damage the surface, and wool is removed more easily than on loosely woven fabrics. Materials with a textured surface are also great for hiding dirt and fur. If you allow pets on your furniture, be sure to use fabrics like these to make your life easier.

See similar articles

• Modal - lightweight cellulose fabric for linen and clothing
• Oil - dense, delicate fabric for women's clothing and dresses
• Chintz is a lightweight cotton fabric for summer clothes.
• Acrylic is a soft artificial fabric that resembles wool.
• Cotton is a popular natural fabric
• Denim is a versatile, thick cotton denim fabric

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Details Published: 11/01/2019 11:36 If there is a cat living in the house or purchasing a pet is only in your plans, you should think about a very pressing question - how to choose the right upholstery for a sofa and armchairs. Experienced cat owners know firsthand that the sofa often becomes their favorite place to live, comfortable in all respects: you can sleep on it in comfort, and you can sharpen your grown nails with pleasure! And even with great luck, when the cat does not make any attempts to deliberately damage the furniture, it is still impossible to completely protect him from walking on the sofa.

Cat and problems with the sofa

Here are just some of the troubles you'll have to deal with: Wool that will constantly cling to the upholstery. Stains. Scratches and claw marks.

Of course, you can spend a lot of time and nerves trying to wean your pet from even approaching upholstered furniture, but, as practice shows, few people succeed. A scratching post, which rarely is used by a cat for its intended purpose, will be of little use. It is much easier to compromise and choose upholstery for the sofa in such a way that it matches your own aesthetic preferences, and at the same time has high performance qualities.

Types of suitable “vandal-proof” fabric

It may seem that it is enough to opt for a durable, strong fabric, and the problem will be solved. However, there are many nuances in this issue, and manufacturers are offering new developments of fabrics that are not afraid of the claws of pets. The owner can always fail to keep track and forget to trim the cat’s claws. This material has a non-woven texture, that is, there is no interlacing of threads in it. Accordingly, there is simply nothing to leave a clue on!

Flock or microvelor is perhaps the most common material among cat lovers. An excellent anti-vandal choice. It can also be called a velvet substitute, since it has an external resemblance to it, but the technology for its production is completely different. Flock is characterized by high levels of wear resistance, reliability and strength. In addition, the fabric is impregnated with water and dirt-repellent agents, thanks to which it is quickly and easily cleaned, does not fade in the sun, and does not wrinkle. To make the surface of the sofa look like new, it will be enough to wipe the dirty surface with a damp sponge.

Artificial suede is one of the options for “anti-cat” sofa upholstery. The material successfully combines good wear resistance and decorative qualities, since outwardly it is not much different from natural suede. This upholstery is easy to clean and does not fade over time. If it has been impregnated with Teflon protection, then you should not be afraid of water.

Velor is a soft fleecy fabric that is resistant to various types of mechanical stress, drapes in folds and is pleasant to the touch. When impregnated with special products, such fabric is not afraid of either water or dirt.

Source: https://mykoshka.ru/kakuyu-tkan-vybrat-na-divan-esli-doma-koshki/

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Furniture suede upholstery

In appearance, the artificial type of furniture suede is no different from natural fabric. Its pile is created on the basis of polyester, and then impregnated with a Teflon composition. It has the following properties:

• increased strength;
• necessary durability;
• resistance to wear, abrasion, deformation;
• practicality, thanks to a simple and easy method of home cleaning;
• resistant to cat claws.

Buyers value faux suede for its increased durability and practicality, which justify its cost.

Microvelour

Microvelor is a velvety soft fabric, a new generation material with shorter pile compared to traditional velor. The length of the microsuede pile does not exceed 1 mm, and the base weave is made in the form of a honeycomb, due to which it acquires increased strength. Its surface is treated with a coating that protects it from contamination.

Characteristics of microsuede:

• abrasion resistant;
• retains color for a long time;
• hypoallergenic;
• not electrified;
• does not roll down;
• dust resistant;
• breathable.

5 Great Home Materials If You Have Pets

Leather / Leatherette / Eco-leather

Leather (faux leather) is a good choice for people with pets because hair does not stick to it. You can simply vacuum the furniture and use a regular cleaner to keep the leather supple. However, skin does scratch and if you have a cat, it is recommended to trim its nails to prevent this. After some time, leather furniture may darken. A pet can contribute to darkening of the skin, especially if it has a favorite spot on the couch. If you want to keep your leather furniture looking like new, don't let your pet sit on it. And if this is not possible, then use a cover or blanket to protect the sofa.

Microfiber

Synthetic microfiber - ideal for furniture. The material does not tear or scratch, and you can quickly remove accumulated hair from it with a brush or even just with your hands. Most stains can be removed from microfiber using a soap solution.

Denim

Durable, durable and easy to clean, denim is a good choice. You can remove stains from denim using a soap solution or a mixture (in the form of a paste) of water and baking soda. The tight weave of the fabric makes it easy to vacuum up any stuck-on pet hair.

Canvas

Canvas slipcovers are a great option for homes with pets. This is durable cotton fabric. You can simply remove the protective cover if it gets dirty and throw it in the washing machine. In addition, this is a fairly inexpensive material, especially when you compare the price with the cost of a new sofa. So if your case shows claw marks or stains, replacing the case will be much more economical.

Microfiber upholstery covering

Upholstery made of synthetic fabric called microfiber is also durable, anti-vandal, and easy to maintain. Its structure is similar to suede, it has the advantage of increased wear resistance, and has a wide range of colors. Its general characteristics are:

• strength;
• resistance to scratches and deformations;
• ease of care;
• easy cleaning from stains;
• affordable price category.

Important! Microfiber is resistant to damage from pet claws because the base of the material is not intertwined and cannot be caught on.

Manufacturers

The main ones are presented in the table:

Which one to choose: recommendations from experts

The material for furniture should be chosen based not only on its beauty, but also on the disposition of the pet.
The upholstery of a cat-proof sofa should be selected taking into account the behavior of the pet. If he likes to play pranks and constantly destroys furniture, then elegant velor, expensive leather material or luxury eco-leather fabrics are not suitable. When choosing a vandal-proof coating, professionals recommend taking into account the following criteria:

• Performance. The density and strength of the structure should be sufficient to not leave marks from cat claws. At the same time, the presence of defects, defects and deformations, as well as stains of dirt, is unacceptable on the selected panel.
• Colors. If the anti-vandal sofa is in the access of several pets, then you should pay attention to dark shades or bright prints. Coverings in light colors without a pattern will require more frequent cleaning. Some experts recommend choosing a color based on the color of the cat's fur.
• Easy to care for. Anti-vandal protection should be easy to clean with available means - soapy water and a sponge. At the same time, cleaning old stains with stain removers or other more aggressive agents should not leave any lightened areas.
• Type of coverage. This could be solid upholstery, a separate bedspread or a cover for furniture that the cat has already torn up.

What is flock

One of the most common durable upholstery options is flock. Its second name is microvelor. This fabric is created on the basis of cotton and polyester and is coated with a mixture of nylon and nylon.

Flock resembles velvet, has a small pile, can be painted in any color, and is highly durable and wear-resistant. It withstands more than 80 thousand cycles according to the abrasion factor, thanks to which it received the “title” of wear-resistant fabric.

In addition, flock has the following characteristics:

• treated with water-repellent impregnation;
• does not fade when exposed to sunlight;
• does not wrinkle;
• repels not only water, but also dirt;
• Easy to clean first with a dry and then slightly damp cloth.

Important! When deciding what fabric to choose for upholstering a sofa if you have a cat, you should not forget that the purchased model should not have wooden decorative ornaments.

Anti-claw sofa covering

Anti-claw upholstery fabric for upholstered furniture impregnated with Teflon has become very popular among pet lovers. This material is made so that a cat's claws trying to scratch it will instantly slide off the surface and leave no marks on it. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to scratch their claws on such upholstery, cats lose interest in them.

Properties and characteristics of this upholstery:

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• increased strength;
• resistance to wear and abrasion;
• resistance to deformation;
• the ability to allow air to pass through, that is, to “breathe”;
• comfortable sensations upon contact with the skin;
• wide selection of different colors.

Important! Any type of upholstery fabric can be marked “anti-claw”: flock, microfiber, artificial suede and others impregnated with Teflon.