Keeping Your Home Clean and Tidy While Having a Pet
As much as we love our furry family members, they can often do a number on our household items. Luckily, upholstery has come a long way and can stand up to pets, spills and heavy wear and tear. As the weather turns warmer and spring showers come with extra mud and moisture, easy to clean, durable furniture is a must-have for many households. If you’re looking to update your furniture with more pet-friendly options, read on for the best pet-friendly fabrics and how to keep your furniture clean, even if you have the most rambunctious pets.
Pet-Friendly Fabrics
Many sofas and chairs offer upholstery fabric options in pet-friendly materials. Selecting patterned fabric, highly textured or in medium colours, help to minimize the appearance of pet stains, shedding and wear and tear. However, it’s also essential to consider the colour of your pet’s fur. If you have a lighter-coloured pet, a sofa in a lighter, textured colour is a better option than a dark-coloured sofa.
Leather is a reliable choice if you have pets, as it’s durable and easy to wipe down. Also, if you have a pet that is prone to shedding, the pet hair won’t stick to the leather. Cleaning is easy, as you can vacuum off surface debris and wipe it down with a damp cloth. A cordless vacuum such as the Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum or the Eureka HyperClean Cordless Stick Vacuum turns into a hand vacuum. It makes vacuuming pet hair and dander a breeze. Any inevitable scratches will contribute to the natural wear of the leather
Outdoor fabric is another great option for a pet-friendly fabric. Outdoor fabrics come in nearly unlimited colours and patterns and are designed to stand up to the elements. This durability transfers to standing up to a pet’s wear and tear. In addition, outdoor fabric is designed to repel water, stains and bacteria, making it perfect for a household with petsMicrofiber fabric is best for resisting stains and spills. Microfiber doesn’t absorb liquid and stains can be easily wiped away. In addition, it’s tight weave fabric can withstand your pet’s claws.
Canvas, especially canvas slipcovers, are incredibly durable, resist tears and are easy to clean. Canvas slipcovers can be easily removed and washed in the washing machine to remove any lingering dirt or hair.
Several fabric options to avoid are chenille, velvet, tweed and silk. These delicate fabrics won’t stand up to a pet’s furniture use.
Must-Have Pet-Friendly Pieces
When you’re deciding what furniture pieces in your home should be pet-friendly, consider the furniture your pet can easily access. The sofa, armchairs or accent chairs, ottoman and rug, are all pieces that are easily accessible to your pets. Unless your pet has been rigorously trained to stay off these pieces of furniture, it’s wise to invest in pieces that have pet-friendly upholstery. This will ensure the longevity of your furniture and keeping it looking fresh.
How to Clean Pet Stains from Upholstery
Even pet-friendly fabrics are susceptible to some stains. A fabric protector spray will protect against stains, damage and odors. However, if you still have furniture that is not pet-friendly, it's likely you can still remove the stains.
The first rule about removing stains from fabric is being diligent about removing them before the stains set. Then, check the tag to see if there are manufacturer’s instructions for care, so you don’t use any materials that could cause further damage.
Simply household products can often be your first line of defense against stains. For example, as soon as you see a stain on your sofa or chair, use a mixture of several drops of vinegar in a spray bottle of water. Then, blot the area until the stain is lifted. However, it’s wise to do a spot test on the underside of the cushion, so you don’t risk any additional staining.
Just because you have a pet doesn't mean you need to sacrifice style. Selecting pet-friendly fabrics and knowing how to take care of the upholstery best will ensure your pieces will last for years to come.
