What is the best fabric for a sofa for those with pets?

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Source: Casa Vogue Brasil

Translation: Architecture Sight

Leather, denim, cotton canvas, suede, and aquablock are some fabrics recommended by experts for those who have a pet at home.

If you’re a first-time pet parent, it’s important to know that some precautions need to be taken to preserve your furniture, especially the sofa. In addition to being easy to clean, the fabric of this piece of furniture needs to be durable to withstand potential playfulness, as well as the paws and claws of dogs and cats.

The most well-known fabric for being pet-friendly is natural or synthetic leather. “It’s more resistant to odors and easy to clean,” commented. Other recommended fabrics include suede, denim, and cotton canvas, which also withstand scratches well and are easy to clean.

“We recommend fabrics with a tight weave to prevent snagging. However, velvet and suede, despite having a tight weave, can be easily marked,” add the representatives from Anjos Colchões e Sofás, Vinicios Fronteli and Suzana Cavalheiro. Additionally, there are fabrics specially designed for pet owners available in the market, consisting of easy-to-clean technological coatings with antibacterial protection and resistance against odors and tears.

For cat enthusiasts, it’s worth mentioning that leather may not be the ideal fabric since feline claws can damage it – to prevent damage, it’s recommended to invest in a scratching post. In this case, suede and aquablock can be the best options. “Although they may be less comfortable, both allow for better preservation,”

Cleaning and Care
In addition to not absorbing much dirt, leather is the easiest fabric to clean: simply use a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth with a bit of mild soap. Denim and cotton canvas can also be cleaned using the same technique, but because they are permeable and absorb liquids easily, make sure the fabric is thoroughly dried to prevent mold growth.

A damp cloth with neutral soap can be used to clean all fabrics.

Suede, like leather, can also be vacuumed – it is made from polyester and is one of the most commonly used fabrics for sofas. Aquablock, made from polyester and cotton, is one of the most durable, enduring sun exposure and repelling water effectively. When it comes to cleaning, also use a damp cloth.

Always wipe in the direction of the weave. It is not recommended to use chemical products, as there is a risk of damaging the fabric. It is advisable to clean at least once every two weeks. It is important to have specialized cleaning with professional products and equipment to remove dirt, fungi, mites, and bacteria..”

Cleaning should be done on average every two weeks.

Additionally, it is also possible to invest in sofa protection, which acts as a protective layer capable of preventing the absorption of liquids, mites, and fungi, making cleaning easier and increasing the fabric’s original quality and longevity. In addition to protecting against stains, it strengthens the fibers and encapsulates urine in case of accidents with pets since it won’t have the chance to reach the fiber and consequently damage it. If this happens with the protected fabric, simply use a napkin or a white cloth to remove all the excess urine.