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Original poster

WIBU to buy sofas you can't clean (with kids and pet)?

38 replies

FlappicusSmith · 07/01/2026 10:34

I have been looking for new sofas for aaaages - but I can't find any I like or can afford that come in 'aquaclean' stain-resistant type fabric.

I've seen 2 I like in DFS, but from what I can tell from their website their fabric isn't stain-protected and you can't remove the covers. One (Patterdale) comes in velvet or 'plain'. The other (New Camden) comes in chenille. I've read that velvet and chenille are both quite good fabrics for 'busy households'. Would I be mad to get them with two (older, but messy) children and a cat who loves nothing more than walking straight in from a muddy gardent straight onto the sofa, plus a DH that has an amazing ability to drop chocolate on the sofa and then sit on it. Leather sofas aren't an option (DH hates them) and neither is not letting people eat on them nor somehow stopping the cat from getting on them!

We have a 10-year old Ikea sofa that has done us well, but is digustingly filthy because you can't clean it - even spot cleaning it just seems to make it worse and dry cleaning did nothing.

OP posts:
CandlelitKitchen · 07/01/2026 10:52

Also, there is something about the fabric of the DFS sofas that attracts and 'snags' dog hair. It is the very devil to get fur off it.

Original poster
FlappicusSmith · 07/01/2026 10:51

noidea69 · 07/01/2026 10:47

Just get the same sofa again from Ikea.

It doesn't work in the space (we've moved), my parents hate it as it's low and hard for them to get up from, it's become really uncomfortable. Plus the quality has gone massively downhill (according to reviews) - so while it was a good buy 10 years ago, it won't be now I don't think

OP posts:
CandlelitKitchen · 07/01/2026 10:51

I bought two sofas from DFS. I paid extra for the stain proofed, bought the cleaning kit and paid extra for the firmer cushions.

Two years later they are stained. The cleaning kit won't touch the stains. The cushions are saggy and flat in the middle, I have to turn them every day to make it barely comfortable enough.

I would genuinely really recommend not buying from DFS. I would never do it again.

My previous sofa was a hand me down and never stopped being cleanable and comfortable. I replace it because I thought it was old fashioned and regret it every time I sit on the DFS rubbish.

RabbitsEatPancakes · 07/01/2026 10:51

Scotchgard and spot clean

momahoho1 · 07/01/2026 10:49

IKEA sofa with removable covers!

ComtesseDeSpair · 07/01/2026 10:48

It possibly isn’t your style, but we have a Transport for London moquette sofa - it’s really durable and stain resistant and I like that it comes with a side order of people wondering why the pattern seems so familiar 🚊 I just steam clean it every so often (I wish I could say the same for TFL themselves.)

We also have a velvet sofa and it’s held up really well, I think it’s fine if you’re pretty good at noticing stains as they happen and spot cleaning - if you have to rub at them once they’ve dried in it will affect the pile long term. If you’re reasonably house proud then go for it, and apply a fabric protector spray.

noidea69 · 07/01/2026 10:47

Just get the same sofa again from Ikea.

Pfpppl · 07/01/2026 10:47

We bought a velvet sofa on recommendation from a fellow cat owner. The cat has never tried to claw it and hair brushes off really easily. Chocolate definitely wipes off, not had any other spillages yet. We've only had it a couple of years, but so far it still looks pristine.

NewYearNewMee · 07/01/2026 10:44

They do a protection package don’t they, where you can have a protective coating put on?

We have a shark spot cleaner and honestly it’s 10/10 for keeping cream sofas spotless and it’s saved my hide a few times 😂

Original poster
FlappicusSmith · 07/01/2026 10:43

Ugh. I know you're probably right. Is 'aquaclean' really the only way forward then? Does that actually keep them looking decent. I really don't want to pay £££££ for a sofa in acquaclean for it to still look shit within months.

Throws - I guess, but I think they'd look a bit rubbish (I don't really care about visitors, it's about us/me enjoying our home and the way it looks) and presumably would slip off all the time anyway? And knowing my cat he'd find the one square-mm of sofa not covered and manage to bury his way underneath it (he likes sleeping under covers!)

OP posts:
YouDriveMeCrazyButICanDoThatMyself · 07/01/2026 10:41

YWBU.
They will look awful in no time.

Hoardasurass · 07/01/2026 10:39

Velvet is not a material I would ever have as a sofa covering. They are a nightmare to clean (really are dry clean only) and as they age the material looks awful and matted and/or threadbare.
Sorry but I'm remembering my mums Velvet sofa from the 70s/80s

24Dogcuddler · 07/01/2026 10:36

You need throws! I know they can give off a student flat vibe but at least they can be removed to reveal your pristine sofa if you have visitors.