I want a fabric sofa :(

[strawberryswing]

Right I'm in a bit of a pickle. After January I'm getting a new sofa, mostly because my delightful DD has completely trashed it with loads of stains everywhere.

But I HATE leather sofas. Really, really, really dislike them, but DP is saying we can't get another fabric one because it will end up the same way.

Is there anyway I can scrub up a fabric one? Any materials to get/avoid?

[Rooners]

Get one with washable covers that come OFF - Ikea Ektorp is good like that. Then when it gets filthy you can whip then off and put them in the machine.

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

I have a fabric one. In fact a cheap ikea Ektorp. I have washed the covers I don't know how many times now because of DD's sick, pee and food stains. I've even put the bit that has feather into the washing machine because it stink of pee. (It was summer so dried quickly because the feather starts to smell). Definitely get one with washable covers. Ours dark coloured too so that might help?

I think we'll get another set of covers for the sofas when DD is a bit older. Ikea sells the covers separately from the sofas.

[strawberryswing]

Ah thank you! I had no idea Ikea sold sofas (in my defence I've never set foot in one as we don't have anywhere near!).

I'm off to go have a look at the website now. I have a bright white one at the minute which looking back was just a gigantic mistake ...

[Rooners]

Lots of places sell sofas with removeable covers but the Ikea ones are particularly good at being washed and not shrinking

Don't limit your search to Ikea, just ask around.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

put a throw over it? we had fabric sofas when I was a kid and the house rules were we couldn't have drinks in the lounge and no felt tip pens in there either. we did what we were told and it never got stained. We have a fabric sofa now and our kids have similar rules, drinks/food are for the dining room or conservatory and felt tip pens are the same. They never question it (they aren't unusually good children - they just know we don't want the new sofas trashed)

[southeastastra]

we have a next one that we bought in the sale was a bargain!

i got extra arm covers for it so they can be cleaned while protecting the sofa, also use a throw. i wouldn't buy a sofa with removable washable covers my experience of those is that they look crappy once washed more than once!