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

[FlappicusSmith]

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.

YABU and will regret it!

Buy sofas with removable covers or get some new covers for your existing Ikea sofa if it’s still comfy (I got some imported from Australia which are great).

I have young kids and a dog, and two sofas in my living room that are dry clean only. It only works because we have a snug / playroom that the kids use, and are allowed to eat / drink in. The living room is more a grown up space, and the children are not allowed to eat or drink in there, or climb on the sofas / play the floor is lava with the cushions / treat it with no respect.

Otherwise I would absolutely have a sofa with washable covers!!!

Ok. I'm leaning towards throws now, having seen some nice ones online. That way I can get an affordable sofa in a style I like that hopefully won't look crap within 3 months.

Sadly the old ikea sofa is now really uncomfortable and its time has come, so getting new covers for that isn't an option

Hah! We tried that. Kids (who are admitedly past the floor is lava stage) have clocked that the grown up living room is nicer and spend more time in there than in the kids' room.

I have had a pair of leather sofas for 16 years. They are going strong and unstained and comfortable 2 kids, a dog and cat later. If you want longevity good quality leather sofas are the way to go. (I know they are not everyone's cup of tea and my mum complains that they are 'cold' even in the summer.)

Have a look at Natuzzi. Not cheap but they do a range of stain resistant materials. I bought one last year. I believe the material is sfinge. It’s liquid repellent and comes with a stain warranty. It looks and feels like suede but is man made. They also did a material similar to velvet with the same benefits though I’m not sure of the name. My sofa is a pale greige type colour and 12 months later is still showroom perfect with children and a pet. The occasional mark comes right off with a damp micro fibre cloth

I'd happily have leather and think it would look great in the space. DH will not be swayed though! Says they're cold in winter and hot in summer, etc

Not the cheapest but we got a sofa from here and had it made to fit our room. My son is never, ever sick but he threw up all over this sofa once and we threw the covers in the wash and it was fine. Obviously depends on which fabric you use.

I think velvet is awful personally, gives me the shivers (aware this is a me problem!) but also a bit tricky to clean.

https://www.jamesandrose.co.uk/?cid=23322855256&aid&copyid=&kid=&pos=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23322881896&gbraid=0AAAAADne6KvyBeS0vN-ave6NTQ9XMQ29u&gclid=Cj0KCQiApfjKBhC0ARIsAMiR_Ivpv3x0Qx5LNTeESPvdhY7C2b2S5dwjuJVmFdNgK4gwCl2PnlBkcqsaAmxoEALw_wcB

We bought multi York sofas second hand as a holding sofa whilst we decided what to buy. They have stood up brilliantly, clean well and are really comfy. Worth a look if you find online/in charity shop

Having had literally every kind of sofa going back in teh days when I'd get second hand and cheap or second hand and free - with various cats, dogs, rats, mice, hamsters and people of various ages and degrees of stickiness - would not entertain anything but hardwearing leather now.

If you don't like sitting on leather, and I don't, use throws, and you can get whole sofa covers that are elasticated so they're not slipping off unduly. I would rather straighten throws/covers than look at a grubby sofa thats only a few months old and know I can't justify changing it for years!

We've had our new S. W. James sofa since Oct. 24 - still looks like new. Thats with two fat humans and two hefty dogs and one (until recently) small, diggy, leaky dog.

We just bought a dfs sofa a few months ago and paid for the insurance on it. I think it was for 5 years or something. I’d say just get the one you want and if it get damaged make a claim

I have a velvet sofa from DFS. Got it 6 or 7 years ago and I think it still looks as good as new! Have kids as well.

We have a velvet sofa and it looks new after 8 years.