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Original poster

Dog owners ... fabric or leather sofa?

21 replies

Bluejeanz · 09/09/2018 13:46

Do any dog owners, whose dogs are allowed on the sofa, have fabric sofas? Do the two mix? If so, how do you keep it reasonable clean and fresh looking? Thanks

OP posts:

SiolGhoraidh · 09/09/2018 13:50

We went for fairly cheap leather. Dog has scratched them up quite badly on the seats, but they've stood up well to abuse as we've had them nearly 10 years. The dribble wipes off and they don't hold the dust.

I don't think I'd ever have fabric sofas. At the very least I'd want washable covers.

Babyroobs · 09/09/2018 13:51

We have a leather effect sofa that can easily be wiped down as it gets filthy. we are looking to replace the sofas soon though and may go for fabric ones but would probably need throws over them.

BigBlueBubble · 09/09/2018 13:55

Fabric is washable and mostly scratch proof. Scratched leather can’t be fixed.

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Original poster

Bluejeanz · 09/09/2018 13:57

Would love leather again but having trouble finding one to fit and ... dog likes to lick the leather which has resulted in a hole in existing sofa which is why I’m wondering about fabric.

OP posts:

fairgame84 · 09/09/2018 14:03

I got rid of my fabric one in June. It ended up smelling and dog hairs were constantly stuck in the fabric. I tried throws etc but it always seemed to be covered in hairs.
I got a leather one instead and it's so much better. It feels cleaner. Dog isn't as keen to get on the sofa as it's a bit slippy for him but when he does there are no scratches.

booandbumpp · 09/09/2018 14:25

We have fabric and hoover it regularly - get all the pillows off and stand it on its side and hoover all the sides, back, underneath, underneath the pillows, and wash the pillow covers. We also have a couple of throws that get washed more regularly. We have a black labradoodle who molts like bloody hell and a cream settee. It doesn't look "new" but I don't think it looks unclean.
We did get him older though so never had to contest with him scratching things.

BiteyShark · 09/09/2018 14:29

I have leather sofas. One was expensive and two cheap but all of them have stood up so far to the dog.

I find them easy to wipe down. There are scuffs from his claws but you can get repairs for leather sofas but I haven't bothered.

Howtodeal · 09/09/2018 14:29

We have velvet which is holding up pretty well. That said, only 1 dog, doesn't scratch or chew furniture, not dribbly, short haired and doesn't molt much, and only likes to be on the sofa when her blanket is on there for her to sit on (It was blanket washing day today and she was right put out).

SweetLathyrus · 09/09/2018 14:37

We have a leather sofa and chair that is now 12 years old. It still looks good despite DS, Ddog (a very bouncy cocker spaniel who likes to par cour along the back) and DCat. The worst damage has been at DH's end as he can't sit down, he always drops, so the springs have gone a bit.! But the leather itself still looks good, wipes clean, and actually looks better with a bit of age. My big round fabric snuggle chair is four years old and not looking so hot! It was from SCS.

kmc1111 · 09/09/2018 15:56

Leather is much easier to clean, but depending on the dog it could get extremely scratched up and look really worn fast.

Fabric hides the damage better, but is a pain to clean (even with washable covers). If your dogs drool or scoot or are liable to roll in something or get themselves wet and then roll on the couch, at a certain point fabric just gets so gross there’s nothing you can really do. Certain smells seep in past the outer cover.

What I do is put thick blankets on the couch. The dogs are only allowed on when the blankets are on. That way I only have to wash the blankets and give the couch a quick vacuum for stray hairs when I don’t want it resembling a dog bed.

Lonelystarbuckslover · 09/09/2018 16:04

Leather sofa but put blankets on it when dog is on it

TillyVonMilly · 09/09/2018 16:08

We’ve got leather in the living room and fabric in the conservatory, both have throws on. They’re only small dogs and they don’t go on the armchairs in the living room and they both like to paw the throws down to make a comfy bed

DeadCertain · 09/09/2018 16:24

We have both leather and fabric and both are fine, although I have throws on the seats at all times, washing and changing them frequently. The leather I think I prefer and it seems more practical; no matter how clean you think your dog is some dirt tends to get transferred onto fabric (the sofa backs) over time and I could see that it would smell should damp dogs be allowed on.

I have one (did have two) very large but very short haired dog.

Original poster

Bluejeanz · 09/09/2018 17:57

Oooh interesting, thank you. Ours is a small dog who doesn’t moult but does like to make herself comfortable and moves from one end to the oher. A doggie blanket is the way to go with either option, I think. We have leather but she licks it ... it now has a hole which is why I’m thinking maybe fabric. It’s choosing a colur which will be most difficult ... leather is just so easy but expensive if she wrecks it. Decisions,

OP posts:

Original poster

Bluejeanz · 09/09/2018 17:57

Oh, people with leather sofas ... where did you get them? We can’t find anything - part of the problem is size and the other is looks!!

OP posts:

CherryPavlova · 09/09/2018 17:59

Fabric sofas. Cream in the winter sitting room. We just don’t allow the dog on the sofa.

BiteyShark · 09/09/2018 18:05

I have this one www.dunelm.com/product/texas-3-seater-bonded-leather-sofa-1000097811 which is just as comfy as another I have that cost a hell of a lot more.

BiteyShark · 09/09/2018 18:09

Yes it's bonded leather but my other is a soft Italian expensive leather sofa which I don't think justifies it's cost.

NicoAndTheNiners · 09/09/2018 18:11

Leather. Dog hasn’t scratched them. Teen dd did but it was repaired ok as under warranty.

Got mine from CSL.

KOKOagainandagain · 09/09/2018 18:56

We have leather beanbags that the dog choses over the sofa. Win/win.

December2018 · 09/09/2018 19:02

I've got a fabric sofa and I'm constantly washing it, when we had our leather one I would dettol it daily and it felt much cleaner.. and we didn't have to hoover it either so yeah I'd go for a leather one
Just put a throw over it so it doesn't scratch

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