You've spotted a brand new, velvety soft sofa in the window of the furniture store. You ogle the smooth fabric and the plush, comfortable cushions, and you drool over the pattern on the sofa's arms. And then you remember - you have a dog. Buying a couch devoid of dog proof fabric is not the way to go. Especially when you are purchasing extensive furniture options for your home. When you have a lovable pup, you want to be able to invest in the prettiest sofas - as well as other furniture - but you don't want to have to deal with the stains as a result. We've all told ourselves that our pups will learn not to jump onto the sofa - and we've all kidded ourselves that they'll listen and learn!
Dog Proof Furniture Fabric
You want your new furniture to stay as clean as possible, as well as the clothes you wear and the carpets you use. The thing is, no matter what type of animal brings joy to your life, you will find hair everywhere: they shed and cannot help it. Finding a dog-proof fabric that will be easy to clean is the goal for you and your pooch to live in harmony. It's essential to find the right material when you are buying furniture. You want to make sure that you have clean, intact furniture with pets around, and certain fabrics will not withstand pet claws. There are plenty of other fabric options that will stand a chance against boisterous pooch behaviour. And some fabrics will reject pet odours too. Maybe a dog bean bag is the best option for your pet?
Some sofas and furniture items are better upholstered to withstand your dog's onslaught, but the idea is to think ahead and plan your purchase so that you are using dog proof fabric that won't get ruined with an overexcited pet pooch on board.
What Are The Best Couch Materials For Dog Proof Fabric?
It's one of the most important decisions if you are choosing furniture with a dog in the house: the couch materials. You want to find materials that are robust enough to withstand the excited pooch that lives in your home, and you want to make sure that it matches the rest of the decor. Choosing the right upholstery is going to make a more significant difference to your home than you expect: you need to remember that your cat or dog is going to have a substantial impact on the material that you pick. There are a few different fabrics out there that will be the best choice for your home - especially with pets, and we're going to talk through them all. Find out how to stop your dog chewing their bed.
All The Leathers
One of the most durable options that are easy to clean with fabrics in the home is leather. It doesn't have to be real leather necessarily, but leather is one of the best "pet-proof" choices for purchase if you have a dog. A leather sofa is much easier to clean off muddy pawprints and any accidents compared to a fabric option, and most leathers can withstand some soap and water spray over harsh chemicals. Because leather is made without a weave, there's no risk of crumbs, muck or mud being trapped in the fibres.
Leather always surprises people as they think of how distressed leather can get. It doesn't often look like a material that will withstand the mess of dogs and other pets, but it's very good at wearing minor damage. Top-grain leather is often the best option for pet-filled homes, and the stains and spills are wiped off immediately when you find them.
Distressed Leather Fabric
The scratches that are added to the surface are normal - especially in those leathers that are prone to scratches. However, this doesn't have to be a bad thing. A leather smoking jacket will need breaking in, and there's that "distressed" look we talked about earlier. Leather is a material that gets better with age, and surface scratches to leather that don't rip through to the filling can often work to add character to the sofa, rather than take away from the look.
It's important to remember that leather is very much resistant to odour. The leather won't hold onto the smell once it's cleaned if your puppy pees on the sofa or gets sick. It's rare, but sometimes the liquid can get into the cushions, and yet you can still wipe them clean. Cats aren't a big fan of leather, but dogs don't often care where they sit. If your dogs scratch the leather in your upholstery, it can be buffed out and add to the look. You can buy the most robust leather possible, and your dog can still mark the sofa. However, with persistent scratching, this can be an awful look, but you can take preventative measures like using blankets and throws on the couches that your pet favours.
Pigmented Leather: A Dog Proof Fabric Option
We've talked about distressed leathers, but there's a reason that pigmented leather works well as a dog-proof fabric as it is excellent for resisting scuffs and scratches. The polymer surface coating that is applied during the production of the structure offers a protective layer over the hide. This makes it much harder for pets to mark the material. There are some leathers that won't work very well for your pet dog, for instance, some aniline leather. These have a lighter surface that has a coating applied that is not pigmented, and that can add a level of resilience not found elsewhere. This could be something to look out for, as you don't want to wayward claws making their way into it.
Aniline Leather
You can get leathers that are semi-aniline, and these benefit from coatings that are light and only contain a little amount of pigment. This allows you to have the look of aniline leather still but with the durability of pigmented leather. This isn't a dog-proof fabric, though, but it offers some protection for your furniture. There is a vast range of leather types that will be good for your furniture coverings.
With fur and hair not sticking to the furniture and only needing a simple cleaner to keep free from stains and scratches, leather and PU leather are the best options for your pets. Claws can, of course, leave small holes in the material, and leather will leave a patina that can look great. They'll contribute to the leather darkening over time, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Slipcovers can work well if your leather ideas aren't looking great!
All The Fabrics
Everyone who dreams over fabric sofas is an optimist when it comes to having a dog. It's the best place to curl up and relax after a busy day, and your pet is likely to want to curl up right beside you. There's the issue: pets with muddy pawprints and dirty coats sitting on fabrics is a disaster. They're far harder to keep clean, and there is a range of materials available, as well as things to consider about choosing a fabric sofa option. Fabric sofas are more likely to be ripped, trap pet hair, and absorb all the smells, and this may not be what you're looking for with your furniture. Dog proof fabric is harder to come by than dog proof leather, and it's essential to choose a pet-friendly option that is hypoallergenic.
Pet Hair Resistant Fabrics
Pet hair and dander can get caught in the natural weave of the fabric, and you can get hypoallergenic fabrics like wool or linen that work better for a dog. These are resistant to those small particles, and they accumulate far fewer pet hairs than other fabric options do. These fabrics are also far more breathable and anti-microbial. This means that they won't absorb bad smells - necessary when you have a dog! The open weave is often a problem, though, as you will find that their claws snag on the material, which is why you need to keep their nails trimmed down.
Another one of the many fabrics that we will go into in this guide is synthetic fabrics. These human-made options are tightly woven and often resistant to dirt. There is a significant trade-off between style and comfort, and it won't always feel as comfortable as the fabrics with natural woven fibres. Synthetics are also not often hypoallergenic or long-lasting. It's so vital that you make the right choice for your pet. So, let's take a look at these fabric options in greater detail so that you can make the best possible decision.
Woven Fabrics
Woven fabrics like chenille, herringbone and felt are regularly used in furniture. These fabrics have visual textures and patterns, and these are a good idea when you have pets. The dimensionality of the fabric helps with the disguising of stains and make pet hair and dander far less noticeable. When you choose darker woven fabrics, you are able to hide stains better and give yourself a better chance of keeping your furnishings and upholstery clean. Printed woven natural materials are a good idea for dog proof fabric, but multicolour patterns are usually a good choice. These are also the best at hiding scratches and are easy enough to clean, too.
Low-Pile Fabrics
One of the biggest concerns of those with pets is the smell. It doesn't matter how much you bathe your dog. You are going to have to deal with odours occasionally. And low-pile fabrics are the better option. Tightly woven low pile fabrics prevent odours. They're easier to clean, and they're easy to manage with pets with claws. It's essential to prevent the scratching in the materials, and a low pile will hold up well against pulling and tearing.
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic material is usually superior to natural fabric, except leather. If you want pet-friendly, you want high polyesters and acrylics, and other stuff like nylon is a good option. They stand well against everyday wear and tear in life, and they work very well against dirt and stains. It's important to adhere to the cleaning instructions. Most synthetic materials can be cleaned with an over the counter carpet cleaner. And even a specific fabric cleaner works, too. These are durable fabrics, and they can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Pet hair can also be removed with pet sponges or microfiber cloths. Tape or lint brushes should work on synthetic materials.
Aesthetically, synthetic fibres aren't great to look at, but you're looking for a dog proof fabric, which doesn't always equal excellent aesthetics. It's a dog-proof fabric that will work well, though, so cleaning is as easy as it gets! When it comes to synthetic fibres, cats aren't big fans of scratching them, but dog claws can scratch them. Cleaning is easy, with soap and water being enough.
Outdoor Dog Proof Fabric
Most people wouldn't choose to use outdoor fabrics for furniture inside the house, but if you consider how resistant they are to dirt and water outside the house, they're going to do the same job inside. They'll be able to handle what a dog puts onto it, and it's essential to look for fabrics that are mould and mildew resistant as well as those that are able to keep up with the mess a dog can leave. If outdoor fabrics can keep up with the harshness of the weather, then your outdoor fabric choices will also work well indoors.
Outdoor fabrics hold up exceptionally well under claws and scratches without ripping, and they're easy to clean. The bonus is that they come in some exciting patterns and colours, too. There are natural material options that are great for outdoor fabrics, and they work as a dog-proof fabric, also. The outdoor fabric options aren't as soft as other materials, but they do work very well when it comes to somewhere comfortable for your pet to sit.
Protected Fabrics
Protected fabrics made with odour-resistant and waterproof properties will also resist stains. They also add an extra layer of protection to your upholstery. You need to have materials that will withstand the weight, mess and claws of a pet. If you can find fabrics that will allow you to keep it protected, you should invest! For an added layer of real protection, you can add a physical cover to upholstered furnishings. These covers are those that will be able to take a beating from a dog and protect your furniture at the same time. Slipcovers are easy to remove and wash. You can take protective measures like this to ensure your furniture will look as good as new.
Patterned Fabric
Patterned fabrics are an excellent way to hide pet hairs and dander. You want a little camouflage for pets in the home. Patterns and coloured fabrics make for a great way to hide stains and mess. Tweed fabrics are tempting. But they are a fabric don't when you are trying to get the best dog proof fabric. The problem with tweed is that the weave will wedge hair into the fibres. And it becomes harder to hide the stains. You need to camouflage any mess in the sofas in your house. And you should choose patterns that have a dominant colour. If you can match the colour to your pet, you're going to be able to relax.
The Rules
If you have pets indoors, you will always have to deal with pet hair and scratches around the house. Trying to minimize these on furniture is so important. You can keep your furniture looking good if you know which dog proof fabrics to buy. You can invest well if your dog is a fan of the sofa. Once you do, you won't have to worry! Choosing a fabric with a tight weave is going to be a good choice. Darker colours will help you with hiding stains and dirt. White-haired dogs will always show up in dark colours. A lighter fabric type will be a better option for allowing hair to blend in.
The most important rule is in the fabrics that you have to avoid. Chenille, velvet, silk and tweed are often all fabrics that are not as pet-friendly. You should try not to invest in these for your home. Your pet will have a field day with these. And you will end up spending more money on replacement furnishings than you expect.
