Pet friendly sofas: essential cleaning tips for pet owners

Having a pet is a truly wonderful thing – there’s a reason dogs are called man’s best friend! Bringing energy, an abundance of love and happiness to your home, most dogs like to be as close to their owners as possible, which means jumping on the sofa to be next to you at every opportunity (if allowed). Occasionally, this can result in dirt, dust and pet hair making its way onto your sofa – the good news is, there’s plenty of easy tips to keep your sofa looking as good as the day you bought it. Here’s our guide to pet-friendly sofas: essential cleaning tips for pet owners.

How to remove pet hair

Whether we like it or not, pets shed and unfortunately, as they move around your sofa, they may leave some of their hair behind. Thankfully, pet hair is simple to remove, and there are a couple of different options available. If you have a leather sofa, a vacuum will quickly solve the issue. A vacuum can also work on a fabric sofa, but there are a few different methods that tend to be more efficient. A lint roller can quickly remove any pet hair, but if you don’t have one, the next best (and cheapest) option would be a rubber glove – simply place the rubber glove on your hand and move it across the fabric – it will lift the hair off your cushions and leave them looking as good as new!

Handling pet stains and pdours

Removing pet stains is a little trickier, but it can still be done. The key to success is acting quickly. If you see a stain on a fabric sofa, blot as much as you can with a paper towel and then there are a few options regarding what to do next. Many people use homemade remedies, such as a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, which is sprayed onto the stain and then blotted away. Not only does this remove the stain, but it also removes any odour, making it an effective and affordable solution.

An alternative option is baking soda mixed with water to create a paste – it is left to dry on the stain and then vacuumed. Before trying anything on a fabric sofa, make sure to read the care instructions specific to that sofa. If you’re worried that anything may cause further damage, you may have to contact a professional cleaning company.

A leather sofa is easier to deal with when it comes to removing stains – simply blot and then use a clean cloth to wipe the area with warm water and either mild soap or a leather cleaner.

Prevention is better than cure

You can’t beat cuddling up to your furry friends on the sofa after a busy day at work, but if you worry about potential damage to your sofa, the best way to avoid it is to put preventative measures in place. Choose a stylish throw or cover that you can put on your sofa to stop your pet from making direct contact with the fabric or leather, and then you can sit back and relax with the man’s best friend right next to you!

If you are concerned about your cat scratching your upholstery, there are lots of anti-scratch sprays you can use on your sofa, alongside providing your cat with alternative options, such as a strategically placed scratch post or board.

There are lots of other proactive methods to consider that can help to keep your sofa pristine, even if your dogs and cats love to snuggle on them in the evening. Regular grooming will help to remove any loose pet hair – and stop it from going onto your sofa. Trimming their nails will also help to prevent any deep scratches in your upholstery.

Choosing pet-friendly fabrics

These days, you’re not limited to a small selection of sofas that are suitable for you and your pets – there’s a plethora of pet-friendly sofas from which you can choose! It’s not so much the style of the sofa that determines whether it’s pet-friendly but the finish.

A dog-friendly sofa fabric would be durable, stain resistant and easy to maintain – there are lots of pet-friendly fabrics and leathers available for you to choose from, giving you a real range of finishes, from cotton to linen and velvet to leather.

Pet-friendly fabrics and leathers at Darlings include:

• Stain Resistant House Fabric
• Easy Clean Soft as Cotton
• Stain Resistant Chenille
• Easy Clean Plush Velvet
• Linen Look Velvet
• Easy Clean Matt Velvet
• Easy Clean Recycled Velvet
• Stain Resistant Moleskin Velvet
• Stain Resistant Broad Weave Linen
• Stain Resistant Recycled Cotton
• Stain Resistant Textured Linen
• Stain Resistant Viscose Cotton
• Stain Resistant Herringbone
• Stain Resistant Linen
• Stain Resistant Cotton Velvet
• Family Friendly Industrial Leather
• Protected Leather Collection

It’s not just about finding an easily maintainable upholstery; it’s also important to find one that fits seamlessly into your interior and that you really like! Before committing to anything, it always makes sense to order some free samples so you can see them in person, feel them and see how the colour works with your existing furniture and décor. And while the number of pet-friendly fabrics and leathers does give you real choice, it does make sense to avoid cream or light-coloured sofas!

Ultimately, choosing a pet-friendly finish and being aware of what to do should there be any spills or stains will give you the confidence to cuddle up to your dog or cat and know that your sofa won’t pay the price.