When you have kids (or pets for that matter), you need furniture that can handle a little roughhousing not to mention some amount of staining.
This means you must do some research on the kind of fabrics that are stain resistant and/or are easy to clean. That’s what we are here to help you with.
In this article we’ll discuss the top sofa fabric material that are durable and ideal for families with kids.
Microfiber
When it comes to materials that stand the test of time when put through hell and back (well, almost) you can’t really go wrong with this one because they are easy to clean and maintain.
Microfiber is made of 100 percent polyester and comes in many textures. This includes smoother options like suede and denser ones that are like corduroy.
They are stain resistant as per your needs and can mostly be cleaned with water. However, you must look at the care instructions before you take them to task because some of them need a compatible solvent when being washed.
The good news is, you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics because microfiber is available in many colors and styles.
The polyester makes them a very durable choice and it is made not to trap hair and can effectively fight some damage caused by nails.
Leather
The second preferred option for people who have active children or pets in the house is leather. This is a versatile option that gives the place a casual look and obviously, is a lot easier to clean than cloth fabrics.
Leather sofas while durable are not totally immune to damage from nails or sharp objects. However, it is not difficult to find ways to repair scuff marks.
Apart from that, you must get it treated with a leather conditioner a couple of times a year so that the sofa set remains supple.
If you’re going for leather sofas, remember that there are different types of leather in the market today. Aniline leather is sensitive to scuffs because it is untouched by dyes.
Pigmented or semi-aniline leather is a better option because these sofas have been treated to make them as durable as possible.
They are also not as expensive as natural leather options because they have been treated to toughen up for everyday use.
Then there is split leather or suede which is often used to make gloves because of its durability. But top-grain leather is the most durable option and that’s the one you want to reach for. Whether it is dust or a spill, just wipe it away and your sofa will pretty much be good as new.
Wool
If your only concern is durability then you might want to look at wool. Of course, that is assuming that the weather where you live is not a concern.
Wool is a sturdy fabric that is quite resistant to fading, pilling and wrinkling. That’s the perfect fabric if you have destructive kids around.
Even woolen blends serve the purpose in that scenario. Often, you will find wool blended with synthetic fibers.
This is precisely to make it easy for you to clean and avoid the matting of fibers together. In fact, another advantage with blends is that they can be spot cleaned whenever you want.
But if you are dealing with a spill, make sure you do the necessary damage control right away. Get a vacuum cleaner, even a hand-held attachment will do, and some paper towels to get rid of the wetness and particles from whatever has been spilled.
If it’s alcohol, you might want to get some lukewarm water. Make sure no one rubs on the stains because that will do more damage than the spill itself. Instead, just blot the area. The same applies to coffee spills too. Get a clean cloth and dip it in some warm water and distilled white vinegar.
On the contrary, if someone cut themselves and left a bloodstain, clean it with a white cloth that has been dipped in white vinegar followed by cold water. If you use warm water, the stain is likely to be permanent and absolutely no one wants a bloodstain on their sofa.
Denim
Here’s all you need to know about denim sofas. They are sturdy and don’t have to look worn out just because the jeans are made that way.
They match with a range of styles and you can get them in rainbow colors if you’re looking for color matchings.
When it comes to getting rid of stains, all you need is a good old bottle of baking soda. Sprinkle some of it on the sofa and get a damp cloth and some water.
Gently move the wet cloth on the soda so that it turns into a paste. In the process, you will manage to scrub the stains away. Leave the paste on till it is dry and then vacuum it all out. That’s it, you’re done cleaning.
Vinyl
Our final suggestion is vinyl. It is just as versatile and visually appealing as leather but it is a lot cheaper. If you find your vinyl couch stained, just spray some water on the surface and wipe it away with a dry cloth and it’ll be back to normal.
If you’re dealing with a slightly stubborn stain, soap and warm water will do the trick. But here’s the best part about vinyl. It has an impressively high tolerance for wear and tear even in the playroom.
Parting Words
No matter which of these fabrics you get, you have to give maintenance a thought because the kids won’t. It is a good idea to vacuum and clean the fabric regularly for longevity and hygiene reasons even if you don’t have kids or pets ruining them.
If your selection is outside this list of fabrics, you might want to think about getting a furniture protection plan so that spills and stains are not a constant source of worry.
Apart from that, you must also think about upholstery. Fabrics that have a tight weave will be incredibly helpful. That means you can forget about fabrics like velvet, silk and chenille.
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