Which sofa fabric is suitable for children and pets?
Juice on the upholstery, dog paws on the seat, cat claws on the armrest: a family sofa has to withstand a lot. Whether a cover can cope depends less on the material alone than on its performance ratings, weave and care. Here is what to look for.
Sofastil Berlin · Published on
Three ratings to ask about
- Abrasion resistance (Martindale): This describes resistance to wear during testing. As a guide, 20,000 abrasion cycles is often considered for domestic use, and 30,000 or more for heavier use. The rating alone guarantees neither a particular lifespan nor protection against claws.
- Pilling: The rating ranges from 1 to 5. A high rating, such as 4, indicates little bobbling during the test.
- Lightfastness: A higher rating is helpful in rooms with plenty of daylight, for example grade 5 on the scale up to 8. Even a lightfast cover should be protected from prolonged intense sunlight.
These covers can work well in everyday use
- Tightly woven polyester or blended fabrics can be hard-wearing and retain their shape. The specifications and care instructions for the particular cover are what matter.
- Velour and microfibre with a short, dense pile offer fewer open loops for claws to catch. Depending on the fabric, pet hair can be vacuumed off; only use damp cleaning if the care instructions allow it.
- Fabrics with stain protection may initially repel liquids. Even so, blot spills promptly and follow the specified cleaning methods.
- Pigmented leather with a protective finish is often easy to wipe clean. Claws can still leave visible scratches.
- Faux leather can be wipe-clean and easy to care for. Sharp claws can puncture the surface. No cover is claw-proof.
These covers are more delicate
- Looped fabrics and bouclé: claws can pull out loops.
- Coarse or loosely woven fabrics: crumbs and hair settle into the weave, and claws can snag.
- Open-pore aniline leather: soft to the touch, but sensitive to stains and scratches.
- Very light, plain-coloured fabrics: dirt often shows more clearly.
Colour and pattern
Mid-tone colours and mottled fabrics are visually forgiving. Choose a colour that also suits your pet's coat: grey cat hair is less noticeable on light grey fabric than on dark blue.
Everyday care
- Blot stains immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth; do not rub.
- Vacuum the cover regularly with a suitable upholstery attachment.
- Read the care instructions before cleaning and test any approved product on a hidden area first.
- Place a blanket on your dog or cat's favourite spot.
Try the fabrics in person
Colours look different on a screen than in your living room. At our showroom in Berlin-Charlottenburg, you can see and feel real fabrics and leathers; ask about abrasion cycles and care instructions for each fabric. We also sell upholstery fabrics and faux leather by the metre. Mon–Sat 12:00–18:00, no appointment needed. Before 12:00 and after 18:00 by prior arrangement only. Closed on Sunday.