Are there really "pet-friendly" fabrics?

We often have customers ask us about reupholstering a sofa that will be in a home with several pets. The truth is that you will always have to deal with pet hair and/or scratches if you own a pet, but there are a few fabrics that are more durable than others. We always recommend a high performance fabric to our pet-loving customers to keep pulls or scratches at a minimum. How do you know what to look for?? Check the "double rub" rating. The double–rub rating given to fabric tells its durability. This test simulates a person getting into and out of a chair and how well the fabric wears when another fabric is continuously rubbed against it. For general household use, a rating of 15,000 double rubs is good... but if you have pets you want to consider at least 45,000 double rubs. With so many different upholstry options available today, you are sure to find numerous options of high wearing fabrics with a comfortable feel and great look. Leather can be a good option for people with pets because pet hair doesn't stick to it. The leather can simply be wiped down when it's dirty. Something to consider with leather is that it will scratch though. This isn't always a bad thing because "weathered" furniture is extremely popular right now for that cozy, lived-in look.

Another high durability fabric for pet lovers is micro-fiber. It washes up incredibly easy with a damp cloth and won't rip or scratch easily.

If you want to branch out into other fabrics, remember that the general rule is that tight-weave fabrics with pattern, texture, and darker colors are best for hiding pet hair and dirt. We ALWAYS recommend to scotch-guard your furniture to protect it even further. Please fee free to contact us if you have any other questions about protecting your furniture!