Dog hair and sofas

[Jennasis]

We are in need of a new sofa desperately. We also have two dogs. They aren't"shedders" but they do tend to get hair everywhere. Is there a particular material you've had luck with as far as getting the hair off of? I know there isn't much hope for keeping the hair off the new sofa, but if the material will clean up nice with our uphoolstery shampooer or a quick vacuum, that'd be ideal.

We will throw a blanket over the new sofa unless we have company, so that should help for the most part.

 

[bellebud]

I've always had 2 - 3 dogs at a time, all couch sitters/sleepers. we always had cloth couches, and WE never noticed the odor, but a very honest, frank friend would tell us how smelly the couches were, even though we cleaned them all the time. It's like how a smoker can't really tell how much they smell like smoke.

I now have leather (not the really expensive, super soft leather), it was the middle of the road price range, middle of the road texture, and I'd never have anything else again w/ dogs. I was afraid of the leather not being as comfy as cloth, and being cold, and it has not been an issue whatsoever.

I LOVE my leather couch!

 

[HsvTeacher]

Another vote for leather!

It's so easy to keep clean, and it never smells like our dogs. We wouldn't have anything else.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Our dogs are Bichons so we don't have the fur problem, but I agree about leather. So easy to clean.

 

[Pakey]

We also went to all leather furniture after getting pets. I hate it in winter when it's so cold but the low maintenance makes up for it.

 

[Tinijocaro]

We also went to all leather furniture after getting pets. I hate it in winter when it's so cold but the low maintenance makes up for it.

It's cold at first but when it warms up, it's sooo cozy.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

We have a basset so short hair and some shedding-it vacuums right off really nicely and easily on our microfiber. But-as you can imagine she's a drooler. The wet marks from lips are really hard to remove if not impossible. Havent had an odor issue but the next couch will be leather.

 

[Jennasis]

We DID find a really nice leather sofa at (of all places) Big Lots. It was very comfy and very soft. I was worried about the dog nails ripping or scratching the leather, but if we are going to toss a blankie over it for them (that we can wash a few times a week) maybe that's the answer!

 

[cassiez76]

don't buy a dark sofa if you have a blond child

i have a dark eggplant microsuede sofa and it's really easy to clean the cushions...toss in the washing machine.

except my baby girl is a yellow lab. you can see where she's been.

 

[Jennasis]

Both dogs are black and so is the leather sofa.

 

[Robindianne]

I always wonder about dogs chewing a leather sofa thinking it's like a big rawhide for them. Does anyone have that trouble?

 

[HsvTeacher]

We've never had any problems with our dogs chewing on the leather. They have their toys, and they know what is allowed to be chewed and what isn't.

We've also never had any problems with their claws ripping or scratching the leather. I was really worried when we got our puppies, because their claws were so sharp, but they haven't done any damage. Neither did our big dogs.

 

[Christine]

My next sofa will be leather. My dog doesn't even get on the couch (well, sometimes) and I have hair on it.

If you have to get fabric, find a fabric that has a very smooth hand-feel to it or almost a sheen. The hait won't imbed into this as much. Also get one of those fur-blaster things made by Pledge or 3M. They do a great job at removing the hair. Much more so than my very expensive vacuum. You will also want to look for a fabric with a "W" code for cleaning. That means it can be cleaned with a water based cleaner (i.e., you can throw it in the washing machine) versus a fabric requiring a solvent cleaner.

 

[pppiglet]

As for picking up the hair/fur, Pledge makes a hand held plastic thing that you roll on your furniture and it picks up hair. It's the best and fastest way we get fur off our chairs. (we have 10 cats) We have a suede/microfiber type couch and it for some strange reason doesn't attract cat fur very easily, but drool marks definately show up!