Having a pet cat is one of life's greatest joys. After all, there's nothing quite like being greeted at the front door by your furry friend after you've had a long day at work.
However, as cute and cuddly cats are, they can be equally mischievous. Many of them will use whatever they can find to sharpen their claws, including expensive upholstery.
Even if your cat isn't much of a scratcher, you likely still deal with plenty of shedding. Cat fur can be challenging to deal with, depending on the material of your couch.
By finding the best sofa fabric for cats, you'll be able to minimize wear and tear and keep your couch in excellent condition for as long as possible. So what sofa fabric is best for cats?
The Best Sofa Fabric for Cats
1. Performance Fabrics
Whether you have a house full of cats, kids, or some of each, performance fabric blends are a good choice. Some popular performance fabric options for couches include acrylic blends, polyester, and nylon.
These types of fabrics protect against scratches, spills, and daily wear and tear. They are also durable and stain-resistant. Nylon is particularly resistant to mildew and mold.
Cleaning and Protection
The upkeep for performance fabric blends is minimal, and you only need a soft cloth with soap and water for spot cleaning. For more stubborn stains or larger areas, you can use a solution of four parts water to one part soap or detergent and blot dry once you've cleaned the surface.
Periodically, make sure to deep clean your couch to eliminate pet odor. You can use a technique similar to spot cleaning, but remove all couch cushions to allow them to dry thoroughly.
2. Microfiber and Microsuede
Microfiber is made from tightly woven textiles and is resistant to cat claws. Because microfiber has a higher thread count, the fabric is much more durable than you may expect. It also repels pet dander and cat hair, which is excellent if you have a long-haired breed or have more than one cat.
Microfiber is also stain-resistant, and spills are easy to wipe, giving you many options for cleaning and keeping your couch spotless.
Cleaning and Protection
You only need a quick once-over with a lint roller for daily maintenance. If you're looking for a more affordable upholstery option that is both functional and chic, microfiber is an excellent choice.
3. Outdoor Fabrics
Outdoor fabric materials (like acrylic) are great options for pets since they can withstand harsh weather and outside elements. Outdoor fabrics also repel water and resist stains and bacteria, which is great if your cat accidentally urinates on them.
They are available in a wide range of patterns and colors, so you don't have to sacrifice personal style for durability.
Cleaning and Protection
To clean outdoor fabric, combine a quarter cup of dishwashing liquid with one gallon of water. In case of scratches or tears, you can purchase a tear-mending kit or sew up the rip with a thread color that matches the fabric of your sofa.
4. Leather or Faux Leather
If your cat is a scratcher, consider investing in a leather couch. While leather can be expensive, it's an excellent option for cat owners as there isn't a weave for their claws to sink into. Therefore, they won't enjoy using it as a scratching post.
In addition, most domestic cats do not appear strong enough to tear leather up. In the event of a rip, you can purchase leather patch kits that will quickly restore more minor tears.
Cleaning and Protection
If your leather couch does incur a few scratches over time, you can use conditioning products to make them less visible and soften the upholstery.
5. Denim
Denim fabric is known for its durability and sturdiness. Tightly woven fabrics like denim are ideal for pet owners as it's difficult for cats to latch their claws in and scratch.
While a denim couch may sound as though it would look out of place in an elegantly decorated sitting room, you may want to reconsider. There are many stylish options available on the market that can look great in any home.
Denim is very durable, and you can easily repair a tear by pinning a patch underneath the ripped material.
Cleaning and Protection
To spot clean a spill, create a baking soda solution by mixing equal parts water and baking soda and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes. After the baking soda fully absorbs the stain, gently vacuum it with a brush attachment.
The Worst Sofa Fabric for Cats
While there are many great sofa fabric options for pet lovers, there are also some you should avoid. Upholstery materials that are not tightly woven are most likely to tear, especially if your cat is a serious scratcher.
1. Velvet
Aside from being notoriously high maintenance, velvet is a fur magnet that attracts cat hair even if your pet isn't in the room. While velvet exudes sophistication and class, you'll spend most of your time trying to lint roll all of the cat fur off it.
Although cats don't tend to use velvet material as a scratching post, you won't be able to clean up spills yourself since velvet furniture must be professionally cleaned to preserve color and texture.
2. Chenille
While many people prefer chenille fabrics because of their soft texture, they are not pet-friendly. The tiny loops of fiber that make chenille fabric so cozy are exactly why cats love to claw at it. Cat fur can also quickly become embedded in the fabric, making removal difficult.
Unfortunately, chenille couches tend to show wear and tear much more rapidly than other alternative fabrics, so it's best to choose a different option if you have cats.
3. Tweed
Most tweed fabrics are made from wool, but some options are made of a wool and cotton blend, rayon, or other fibers. Tweed is designed to withstand the elements, and many people prefer it for its warmth and comfort.
Although tweed may easily camouflage pet hair, it will still get caught within the fibers. In addition, while tweed may be easy to clean, it is nearly impossible to repair.
Protecting Sofa From Cats
While your budget may influence the upholstery fabric you choose, durability is important, especially when living with cats.
1. Choose the Best Sofa Fabric for Cats With Claws
Once you determine your priorities, choose tightly woven fabrics instead of looser weaves and delicate options. Save the velvet furniture for your home office and keep the pieces in your living room more durable and pet-friendly.
If possible, opt for a sofa with removable back and seat cushions as well as machine-washable covers you can easily clean as needed.
2. Purchase a Cushion Protector
Also, consider purchasing a cushion protector to keep your couch free of pet dander. Remember, your cat is more likely to use your couch as a scratching post if it has no other options for sharpening its claws.
If your cat doesn't already have one, investing in an actual scratching post may save your furniture from considerable damage.
3. Try Cat Repellent
If you prefer to keep your cats away from your couch, you may want to try cat repellent or make a solution of your own.
Cats dislike the smell of peppermint and vinegar, so you can create an all-natural solution and spray it on anything you don't want your cat climbing or scratching on.
In the End
As all cat owners know, it is challenging to find the best sofa fabric for cats. However, with a little research and time, you can find the perfect sofa that works for you and your furry family members.
