Best Fabric for Couches With Dogs: Leather, Denim and Canvas Resist Fur and Accidents (2024)

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You know the feel of fur on your furniture. The pitter-patter of paws across the floor. The joy a pet brings into your home. But you also know the toll they can take on your couch.

With the right fabric choice, you can keep your furniture looking great while creating a cozy space for your furry friends.

Leather, denim, and canvas stand up to pets’ claws, shedding, and accidents. So you don’t have to sacrifice style or comfort – your home can stay both pet and guest ready.

Let’s talk about how to choose the best fabric for couches with dogs.

Protect Your Couch From Your Dog

Consider using slipcovers and fabric protectors to shield your couch from dog-related damage. Rather than replacing furniture, try affordable solutions that protect your investment while accommodating beloved pets.

Use Slipcovers

You’re smart to use slipcovers to protect your couch from your dog’s messes. Match slipcover colors to your existing decor. Coordinate with your dog’s fur color to minimize visibility. Choose durable, machine-washable fabrics.

Outdoor and microfiber fabrics withstand pet wear and tear. Use waterproof backings for accidents. Layer with blankets for extra protection. Replace as needed for a fraction of replacement costs. Guard your investment through simple slipcover strategies. Pet-friendly patterns disguise wear, stains, and scratches.

Apply Fabric Protectors

Applying a fabric protector like Scotchgard helps shield your couch from spills and stains.

1. Test first on a hidden area.
2. Shake the can well before use.
3. Mist with a light, even coat in 6-8 inch sweeps.
4. Allow it to dry thoroughly before use.

Regular applications of fabric protector give your upholstery an invisible barrier against pet messes. Focus on high traffic areas prone to paw prints, fur, and scratches. Refresh the protector 2-3 times a year for optimal preventative couch care.

Choose Durable, Pet-Friendly Fabrics

When choosing a durable couch for dogs, opt for leather, denim, or canvas fabrics. These tightly woven materials resist stains, conceal pet hair, and withstand scratching from canine claws – unlike more delicate fabrics such as velvet or linen that can easily snag.

Leather

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Leather’s the most durable fabric for dog owners wanting to protect their couches. Leather upholstery holds up well against scratching, biting, accidents, and constant use. It resists soiling, doesn’t trap odors or dander, and wipes clean easily. Leather develops a lived-in patina over time, taking on new character as it ages gracefully.

Unlike fabric, leather doesn’t snag clawing paws or absorb liquids. With routine vacuuming, conditioning, and protection from direct sun exposure, quality leather lasts for decades.

Denim

Denim’s tight weave helps resist scratching and conceal shed fur. Its rugged fibers stand up to messes, daily wear and tear. Clean denim couches with a soft brush, mild soap, and water. Compared to canvas, denim has more flexibility yet remains durable.

Denim works in casual or modern sofa styles. Its color masks stains while the weave resists catching claws. For pet owners, denim offers an affordable yet resilient upholstery. Match your denim couch to your dog’s energy and lifestyle.

Canvas

You’re wise to choose durable canvas slipcovers since they’re washable, cost-effective, and resist punctures. Look for canvas slipcovers with a tight weave; this prevents fur and dirt from clinging while making paw scratches less visible.

Washable canvas guards your sofa from spills and odors. It’s a lighter, more breathable option than denim but lacks the same ruggedness. Embrace the casual vibe of canvas by pairing it with wood furniture and cozy pillows.

Regular vacuuming keeps canvas fresh between washes. Ultimately, canvas offers an affordable way to protect your sofa that’s convenient for pet owners.

Avoid Fabrics That Show Wear

When choosing a couch fabric with dogs in mind, steer clear of high-maintenance fabrics that show wear easily. Velvet and chenille, for example, attract pet fur and claws, soiling rapidly with no easy fix.

With rambunctious pups around, opt for something more durable that resists stains and stands up to heavy use, like leather or canvas.

Velvet

Instead of velvet, opt for fabrics that hide wear better. Velvet shows every speck of dirt and requires frequent vacuuming or professional cleaning. Opt for pet-friendly leather, microfiber, denim, or canvas instead. These tightly woven, durable choices resist stains, repel hair, and are easy to clean at home.

For velvet fans, choose dark colors or subtle patterns to disguise wear. Protect the fabric with blankets and promptly address accidents.

Chenille

You’d avoid chenille on couches with pets since it frays easily and shows wear. The fluffy, nubby texture may seem soft and inviting, but it quickly pills from clawing and damage. Chenille’s delicate pile attracts lint and pet hair, making it challenging to keep clean.

Better to opt for tighter weaves like microfiber or denim that hide wear better. With heavy use, chenille pills badly and looks shabby fast. Choose a more durable, rugged fabric that resists pilling for furniture that withstands pets and will last longer.

Opt for Easy Cleaning and Odor Resistance

When choosing a couch for dogs, opt for fabrics that offer easy cleaning and odor resistance. Microfiber sofas resist stains, while outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella are mold and mildew resistant, withstanding your pet’s mess.

Microfiber

Consider microfiber for its stain resistance and tight weave. With strong threads and a weave that prevents dander and snags, microfiber stands up to pets. Regular vacuuming with a specialized tool helps remove allergens. Choose microsuede for softness or micro velvet for durability and a luxurious look.

Opt for patterns and darker colors to disguise fur. Microfiber is easy to clean and maintain. Unlike leather, it won’t show scratches. For homes with pets, it resists stains and odors thanks to advanced textile engineering.

Outdoor Fabrics

Want to save that heirloom sofa from Fido’s muddy paws? Arm it with Sunbrella’s scratch- and stain-resistant fabric, then watch muddy paw prints slide right off. Compared to indoor textiles, outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella withstand the elements.

Made with solution-dyed acrylic or polyester yarns, they’re fade-, mildew-, and stain-resistant. For durability against pets, opt for performance fabrics outdoors or indoors. With proper care, these fabrics defend against dirt, odors, moisture, and those inevitable accidents.

Strong, easy to clean, and built to last, outdoor-rated textiles keep pets and furniture happily together.

Tips for Maintaining a Pet-Friendly Couch

Here are some helpful tips for maintaining a pet-friendly couch. Be sure to regularly trim your pet’s nails and use a lint roller or vacuum attachment to remove any shed hair in order to limit damage or issues with your upholstery.

Trim Nails

Always trim your pet’s nails before letting them on the couch to prevent scratches in the fabric. An untrimmed nail can snag or puncture the upholstery, doing damage in an instant.

1. Trimming nails weekly
2. Using sharp trimmers designed for pets
3. Having styptic powder on hand
4. Rewarding your pet afterward

Following this simple routine helps ensure your couch stays damage-free.

Remove Hair

Wipe that fur off the microfiber with a lint brush every day so it doesn’t get matted in. I know it’s a pain, but quick daily swipes keep the couch looking tidy. Use a vacuum attachment to get into crevices.

Avoid rubbing fabric too hard. With gentle daily care, you’ll keep hair from embedding into the weave.

Regular grooming and shedding solutions will also reduce couch hair. But diligent lint-brushing is the best defense against an increasingly hairy microfiber couch.

Tool	Use
Lint brush	Removes loose hairs
Vacuum	Gets into crevices
Pet hair roller	Picks up embedded fur