About pet-friendly and kid-friendly fabrics
If you live with pets, kids, or both, then your furniture fabric is bound to take a beating. To counteract the inevitable wear and tear, you need pet friendly furniture fabrics. While no fabric is invincible, you can find options that handle claws, animal hair, spilled juice, and other issues quite well.
Pet-friendly fabrics address an important need, which is why they account for a significant portion of the fabric industry. Despite their popularity, you might be new to furniture fabrics and not know what they are. Let’s take a look!
What are pet-friendly and kid-friendly fabrics?
A simple rule of thumb is: The tighter the weave, the more likely the fabric is pet and kid-friendly. This is because a tight weave has a dense, unified surface that helps protect the fabric.
Opinions differ on which fabrics should be considered “pet and kid friendly,” but the general consensus is that they should be professionally tested for durability, stain resistance, and abrasion resistance. Just as importantly, they should have a proven track record of handling life in a busy home. This is where real-life experience comes into play. The best fabrics have been tried and tested by homeowners and furniture lovers for years.
Let’s take a look at the 5 best pet and kid-friendly fabric options based on common wisdom.
What’s the best fabric when you have pets or kids?
1. Microfiber
Microfiber is one of the best pet-friendly fabrics available, thanks to its exceptionally tight weave. Microfiber is not only resistant to pet claws but it can also be cleaned with mild soap and water, making it a practical choice for busy households.
Some microfibers even cause spills to bead up on the surface rather than soak in, giving you time to clean them before stains set in. In other words, you don’t have to worry so much if your kid spills his or her drink on your microfiber. However, not all microfibers are created equal. Some varieties are prone to staining, so caution is advised.
Pros
- Diverse options are available
- Usually easy to clean stains
- Tough and scratch-resistant
- Resistant to picking by cats
- Less expensive than leather
Cons
- Hair tends to stick to it
- Prone to accumulating bad smells
- Some types are prone to staining
- Can be punctured if enough pressure is applied
2. Leather
Leather is another amazing option for pet-friendly furniture. It resists punctures, is fairly easy to clean with saddle soap, and doesn’t trap odors. Moreover, pet hair can be brushed or vacuumed away.
The biggest downside to leather is that it scratches fairly easily. Many furniture owners are happy to take the trade, though, thanks to its many beneficial qualities.
Pros
- Generally very durable
- Puncture resistant
- Can be washed with saddle soap and water
- Stains can usually be removed
- Fur is easy to brush or vacuum off
- Doesn’t easily accumulate bad smells
Cons
- Can be scratched fairly easily
- Genuine leather is expensive
3. Polyester
Polyester is a durable and pet-friendly fabric that resists stains and is easy to clean, and its varied texture helps hide pet hair. Moreover, its synthetic nature makes it particularly resistant to fading.
While polyester fabrics generally hold up well to daily wear and tear, cat claws can sometimes pull fibers loose. However, the material is usually strong enough that these fibers can be easily fixed, making polyester a practical choice for cat owners in particular.
It’s worth noting that polyester can retain odors over time if not regularly cleaned, and some varieties may shed microplastics during washing.
Pros
- Stains can usually be removed
- Naturally conceals fur
- The fibers are strong
Cons
- Are prone to picking by cats
- Can retain bad odors
- Sheds microplastics
4. Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a synthetic fabric that is sometimes used for pet-friendly furniture due to its tight weave. Its non-porous structure helps prevent stains, while dirt and mud can usually be easily wiped away without leaving marks.
The material is highly durable and can withstand wear and tear better than cotton, linen, and some polyester blends.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Stain resistant
- Resistant to insects and other pests
- Resistant to picking (if you get the right fabric)
- Overall, very durable
Cons
- Synthetic and made of plastic
- Can sometimes have a rough, uncomfortable texture
5. Velvet (with a caveat!)
Velvet can be a pet-friendly option, as pet hair tends to rest on the surface rather than embed itself into the fabric, making it easy to brush or vacuum. Also, some cat owners report that cats avoid scratching velvet because the velvet doesn’t offer enough resistance when cats pull on it.
Note: Not everyone agrees that velvet is the best choice for pet-friendly furniture. It earns a spot on this list because pet hair stays on the surface and is easy to vacuum. The main downside is that velvet fibers can get crushed over time, especially if large pets (usually large young dogs with a lot of energy) jump on the furniture. Velvet also needs to be cleaned regularly.
Pros
- Can be quite durable
- Easy to remove pet hair (vacuuming velvet works very well!)
- Scratch resistant
Cons
- Can build up dirt
- Requires frequent vacuuming
- Fibers can get crushed
- Can be more expensive than other fabrics
What fabrics should you avoid if you have pets or kids?
Now that we’ve discussed the best pet and kid-friendly fabrics, let’s look at the ones you want to avoid if you have a busy home with pets and kids.
Silk: Silk is one of the least practical choices for homes with pets or young children because it stains and tears easily. It’s also high-maintenance and expensive to replace.
Linen: Linen is an open weave fabric that wrinkles easily, and its porous fibers readily absorb spills. Moreover, it can get easily damaged by pet claws.
Chenille: Chenille is not the best choice for homes with pets due to its looped texture. It is prone to snagging, and cats, in particular, can damage chenille.
The Bottom Line
Any type of fabric that has an open weave will likely cause all sorts of problems if you have pets, especially cats with claws who love to pick at things. If you’ve got rambunctious kids, fabrics with an open weave are more likely to trap stains deep within the fibers.
For these reasons, we’d recommend avoiding open weave furniture fabrics in busy households unless you have a specific reason for using them! This also includes tweed, by the way!
Note: While these are general guidelines, fabric performance varies based on quality, treatment, and manufacturing. For example, some modern synthetic silks and performance linens are more durable and stain-resistant than their traditional counterparts. High-end versions of these fabrics may include protective treatments or be blended with more resilient materials. Always check the specific fabric specifications and care instructions.
Is pet-friendly and kid-friendly fabric right for you?
If you have pets or children (or both!) in your home, then yes, pet and kid-friendly fabrics are most likely the right choice. They can save you money and frustration in the long run by resisting stains, wear, and damage.
Contact Redesign Upholstery for pet-friendly upholstery
Choosing the right fabric for your furniture is crucial when you have pets and kids. If you’re considering updating your furniture, Redesign Upholstery can help you explore durable, attractive options that suit your lifestyle.
Check out the Redesign Upholstery Store to begin your search.
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