We all love our cats, but that doesn’t mean we want to live with ripped couches or furniture covered in cat hair. The good news is that there are plenty of materials that can work perfectly in a home with cats.
Not every fabric is completely cat-proof but some are certainly better than others. So, if you’re about to splash out on a new couch, check out our recommendations before you shop!
The 6 Best Cat-Friendly Furniture Fabrics
1. Leather Couch
Cat hair won’t stick to leather, so it’s extremely easy to wipe or vacuum this away. It’s also easy to keep clean by using a good leather balm to keep your couch soft and supple. Leather is resistant to stains and odors. Dander from your cat’s skin won’t stick to this material, so it’s a good choice for allergy sufferers.
Leather can scratch, and while on a vintage couch, this can be keeping with the style, that’s not necessarily the case with a brand-new leather couch! It’s a good idea to encourage your cat to instead make full use of their scratching post. Leather is also expensive.
2. Faux Leather Couch
Faux leather is a cheaper alternative to real leather but still has the same main benefits, especially in keeping free of cat hairs. It’s also available in a huge range of colors.
Cats can scratch and rip faux leather easier than the real thing if they decide to start using your couch as a scratching post. Keep your cat’s claws trimmed; otherwise, they can make small holes that will soon start to expand.
3. Outdoor Fabrics
Outdoor fabrics are usually odor and stain resistant, as well as being hardwearing with a tight weave designed to repel dirt and by association, cat hair!
It might seem strange selecting materials designed for outdoor use for your lounge, but once you get over that, you might not look back. This trend has caught on, with places like Pottery Barn now offering a huge range of stylish sofas upholstered in outdoor fabrics that are durable and stylish.
4. Microfiber Couch
Microfiber has a close weave and is hardwearing. Because it has a nap like suede rather than loops of fabric, your cat’s claws won’t get stuck and pull sections out of the weave.
This material isn’t water-resistant, so you’ll need to clean up any spills right away. While it’s great at resisting scratching, it will pick up your cat’s hair, which means getting out the vacuum a bit more often.
5. Canvas Couches
The rugged weave of the canvas is long-wearing and can easily resist attempts to scratch it. If you have a canvas slipcover, you can chuck it in the washing machine. It’s also good value for money.
If your couch doesn’t have a slipcover, then it can be harder to clean, unless you have a enzyme cleaner that doesn’t need rinsing.
6. Denim Couch
Denim is durable and can stand up to plenty of wear and tear. It’s easy to clean because cat hairs don’t tend to adhere to it.
Denim furniture is hard to find and could look out of place, depending on your house décor.
Conclusion: Best Couch and Furniture Fabrics for Cat Owners
When you do get new furniture, it’s a good idea to spend the time encouraging your cat to make the most of their scratching post to stretch out on rather than the arm of your couch.
We recommend avoiding fabrics with an open weave or nubby texture like tweed or velvet. While these look great to start with, you’ll quickly notice any pulls from your cat’s claws. Plus, these also pick up cat hair and dander, meaning you’ll be spending plenty of time cleaning this off when you could be relaxing on your new couch instead!
See also: 5 Amazing DIY Cat Couch Protector Ideas You Can Create at Home
Featured Image Credit: RONEDYA, Shutterstock
