The Best Couch Material for Dogs: A Guide to Pet-Friendly Upholstery

If your dog is your best friend, you likely allow him to play with you inside and cuddle with him on the couch. And even though your dog might be the cutest guy out there, they all come with messes.

Whether they are tracking muddy paws onto the furniture or leaving behind a furry mess, it all comes with the territory. Because we know that you want to spend more time playing and cuddling on the couch with your dog rather than cleaning up, here are some pet-friendly upholstery tips to consider, as well as the best upholstery fabric for pets.

Choosing the Right Couch Fabric for Dogs

When selecting a couch fabric for a dog-friendly home, it's essential to consider several factors.

Durability

First, think about the durability of the fabric. A tightly woven fabric is ideal for pet owners, as it allows dirt to roll off easily and prevents pet hair from getting stuck.

Look for fabrics with a tight weave, such as microfiber, canvas, or even denim, if you want to make a statement. These fabrics are not only durable but also easy to clean and maintain.

Fabric Material

Another crucial factor to consider is the type of upholstery fabric.

Leather is a popular choice for pet owners, as it's easy to clean and resistant to scratches.

However, it's essential to choose genuine leather, as bonded leather can flake and fall apart easily.

If you prefer a non-leather option, consider outdoor fabrics like olefin. These outdoor fabrics are often durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains.

Couch Color and Pattern

Finally, think about the color and pattern of the fabric.

A darker color or a pattern can help hide pet hair and stains, making it easier to maintain a clean look.

Expert Tip: Most of the same rules apply to choosing the best carpet material for your pets. The best fabrics are the ones that can be easily wiped to avoid lingering odors and stains!

What is the Best Dog-Friendly Couch Upholstery?

Choosing the Best Couch Materials for Your Pets

The best sofa fabrics for dogs are going to be those that are resistant to scratching, dirt, and stains. Of course, you will also want something that isn't a fur magnet.

When buying furniture or reupholstering, there is a range of fabrics to consider, but here are three that score particularly well with pets.

Genuine Leather

In addition to the good looks of this quality material, leather is an upholstery fabric that gets comfier as it ages and is very durable. Without the fibers found in many other cloth coverings, leather is particularly resistant to pet hair.

Because pet fur won't hold onto the surface of this fabric, leather is a great hypoallergenic choice of furniture.

Cleaning up after your furry pet with leather furniture can be as easy as running a vacuum over the surface.

The only downside to this choice of fabric is that it is not scratch-resistant - although some argue that scratching on leather is a bonus because it enhances the overall aesthetic of a piece of furniture.

The good news is that you can often repair and professionally clean leather furniture to keep it looking great for years and years even with furry pets.

• Stain Resistance: This depends entirely on the color and quality of the leather. Darker, higher-quality leather will always have a higher resistance to stains.

• Scratch resistance: 3/5

• Cleanability 5/5

Microfiber to Hide Pet Hair

Microfiber furniture makes for the best couch for dogs, after leather, of course, especially if you have an extremely furry friend, and you can't afford high-quality leather.

The fibers in this fabric are so tightly woven together that they create a semi-stain-resistant surface.

When something spills on this fabric, the tightly knit fibers will give you more time to wipe up a spill before it sinks in and sets into your couch.

Microfiber furniture also makes for potentially hypoallergenic surfaces. Scratching is not a problem with microfiber because of its loopless surface.

Spot cleaning microfiber couches can be as simple as using a soft vacuum brush or a lint roller to run over its surface, though you can also get microfiber furniture professionally cleaned too.

• Stain resistance: 4/5

• Scratch resistance: 5/5

• Cleanability: 5/5

Velvet

As surprising as it may be, this luxurious couch fabric is surprisingly resilient. Its tight weave and short pile make it relatively easy to clean and very resistant to scratching.

And a simple protective coating will increase its resistance to stains.

However, unlike natural fibers such as linen and cotton, velvet is less prone to staining and fading.

• Stain resistance: 4/5 (with a protective coating)

• Scratch resistance: 5/5

• Cleanability: 3/5

Maintenance and Care

Maintaining and caring for your couch fabric is crucial to extending its lifespan. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Regularly vacuum your couch to remove pet hair and dirt.

• Use a lint roller or a damp cloth to remove pet hair from the fabric.

• Clean spills immediately to prevent stains from setting in.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals to address spills or pet accidents on your couch.

• Get your pet-friendly couch professionally deep cleaned every 6-12 months with pet-friendly cleaners like Zerorez.

• Consider applying a protective fiber coating to your furniture once a year to keep it looking its best.

By following these tips, you can keep your couch fabric looking its best and extend its lifespan.

Other Pet-Friendly Furniture Tips

1. Get furniture that has removable cushions. Removable cushions are lifesavers for a couple of reasons. They help extend the life of your furniture with the ability to rotate the cushions and make cleaning up pet hair that falls between the cracks much easier.

2. Consider your pet. If you haven't yet taken the plunge into pet ownership, consider looking into hypoallergenic dog breeds or breeds that don't smell to avoid the pet dander and odors that come with most furry companions.

3. Schedule regular appointments to get your dog's nails trimmed. While there are fabrics that can withstand scratches, it's hard to avoid claw marks without keeping their nails short.

4. Purchase dog beds. We know that snuggling your pets on the couch is fun, but you can avoid a high-maintenance couch cleaning situation by providing your furry friend with a lounge area of their own.

Make sure to have your upholstery cleaned by Zerorez®! Dirt particles and stains build up quickly when you've got a furry friend running around. Regular professional cleanings can help prevent unnecessary wear and tear that comes with an accumulation of dog hair and dirt!