Cats and microfiber

[CJ2008]

Hi,

We usually only buy leather furniture because of the cats but we are considering dining room chairs in microfiber, since some people say microfiber is durable, doesn't attract scratching or hair, and it's cheaper. I really would prefer leather but man the chairs we want are expensive in leather - so I'm actually considering it...

Does anybody own microfiber anything and what has your experience been with it?

Thanks

 

[MichelleCarmen]

We had a microfiber couch, and two chair & two ottoman set when we had a small horde of kitties and it held up WONDERFULLY. Not only did the cats not scratch it, the covers were removable and I could put them in the washer and then dry them outside in the sun (or air dry by the fireplace) so they stayed fresh. It was the best couch set we ever owned and I would highly recommend for anyone who has cats and wants their furniture to survive! We had to get rid of that set due to space constraint now have two different fabric sets (one in our family room and one in our living room) and with only one little furry beast, the toll has been taken. He has as scratching post, but refuses to use it.

 

[Gypsy]

My furniture is either leather or microfiber with 5 cats.

Here are my thoughts. Buy high quality microfiber that is thick (there are some thin ones out there and they do not hold up). Scotch guard it yearly. Buy lint rollers. And stain remover for hairballs, and it will hold up.

It's not as easy care as leather at all. But it is durable.

 

[CJ2008]

OK those are like the 2 best responses just because of your avatars! I love them both one under the other.

Thanks so much MC and Gypsy...

I've heard along the same lines...that not all microfiber is created equal...maybe I'll do some research on that so I know specifically what to look for.

I really really would prefer leather...but...I'm glad this may be an option.

 

[Okie_girl]

I will echo Gypsy's thoughts....I have a sofa and loveseat that are the thicker (at the store, they called it "elephant skin") microfiber. They have held up very well to use and abuse by 7 cats. I don't think mine have scratched on the furniture at all, if they have, I can't see any damage. Lint rollers, vacuum cleaner, or those Pledge or Scotbright pet hair removers work really well to get the hair up.

 

[purplesparklies]

Microfiber here through 3 dogs and two babies/toddlers/elementary kids. Just moved those couches, still beautiful, to the basement. New couches.....microfiber!

 

[CJ2008]

I will echo Gypsy's thoughts....

another kitty avatar!

Thanks, guys, this is really making me seriously consider microfiber! I'm going to look at some swatches tomorrow or Monday.

 

[deegee]

Hi-sorry to pop in with a question instead of answering yours. Leather works well with cats? We're sofa shopping and I'd really like leather (or microfiber) but was avoiding it due to kitty claws.

 

[missy]

Microfiber sounds pretty good but I am guessing the hair thing will be a PITA to keep under control. As Gyspy said, leather will be much easier to keep clean. I was thinking about microfiber too but now I am not certain the constant cat hair on it would not drive me crazy. Not to mention our allergies. I think we would be forever lint rolling it.

For those of you who have owned both leather and microfiber- how much more difficult is the upkeep for the microfiber?

 

[CJ2008]

Two kitties! haha I can't take it! Adorable. ETA: plus Missy's adorable kitty! I love that I started this thread

Deegee (no problem on the threadjack! this is all good info. for all of us to share!) Nothing is "perfect" - and if your cats have their claws (like mine), you might get some punctures - like you would any other fabric. But overall, I think leather is the easiest to keep clean, cats don't like to scratch it (because it's smooth) and for the most part (every leather is different, I'm thinking the same applies here, as far as leather quality making a difference) you won't easily get scratches.

 

[CJ2008]

Microfiber sounds pretty good but I am guessing the hair thing will be a PITA to keep under control. As Gyspy said, leather will be much easier to keep clean.

This is what's weird...some people say it doesn't attract hair at all, others say it's a hair magnet...so I'm not sure about that...or what would make one more prone to attract hair...

 

[missy]

Hi-sorry to pop in with a question instead of answering yours. Leather works well with cats? We're sofa shopping and I'd really like leather (or microfiber) but was avoiding it due to kitty claws.

Hi deegee, leather is a breeze to keep clean from cat hair- just wipe it with a microfiber cloth (the irony here does not escape me ). However, some kitties like to sharpen their little claws on it and leather will tear. So it depends on how well trained or how adverse your kitties are to leather. Most of our kitties don't bother with our leather but one of them tends to want to scratch it so we have to keep an eye out for that little devil. But all in all I have been pleased with our leather couches. I would love to switch to something more animal kind (as in not killing animals for their skin) when we are ready to get another couch so that's why I popped in to this thread.

 

[missy]

Two kitties! haha I can't take it! Adorable. ETA: plus Missy's adorable kitty! I love that I started this thread

Deegee (no problem on the threadjack! this is all good info. for all of us to share!) Nothing is "perfect" - and if your cats have their claws (like mine), you might get some punctures - like you would any other fabric. But overall, I think leather is the easiest to keep clean, cats don't like to scratch it (because it's smooth) and for the most part (every leather is different, I'm thinking the same applies here, as far as leather quality making a difference) you won't easily get scratches.

Aww thanks CJ!!
I agree- there are different leathers and that will affect its durability re cat scratches.

 

[CJ2008]

Hi deegee, leather is a breeze to keep clean from cat hair- just wipe it with a microfiber cloth (the irony here does not escape me )

True - some cats might like leather...mine don't seem interested in it at all...

And I hear what you're saying about animal kind...I never thought about that...

 

[mary poppins]

Our friends' microfiber couch has held up really well with a 9 year old dog, a cat older than that, a 6 year old boy and a baby girl. The couch still looks great.

To train the cat not to scratch furniture, move it to the scratching post every time you see it scratching in the wrong place. That has worked well for us.

For fur and lint or dust on the couch, we love the Pledge Fabric Sweeper. It is designed to be disposed when it fills up with fur. However, crafty Mr. Poppins made it reusable by cutting a hole in the top plastic part. When the Sweeper gets full, we empty the fur by hand and can use it forever! Link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Pledge-Fabric-Sweeper-Hair-sweeper/dp/B003TNA6AE

 

[HollyS]

Cats and any fabric = cat hair all over. Microfiber is not kitty hair proof.

My kitty had her spots she could sit, that mama would regularly have to de-fuzz; the rest of the furniture was off limits. Cats can be trained if you get them as kittens. (God help me, that's why I'm contemplating raising another cat from babyhood. )

 

[amc80]

I have two long haired cats and have had a microfiber couch. Cat hair stuck to it just like it stuck to everything else. We will be getting leather couches next.

 

[honey22]

We are looking after my sister's kitty at the moment and to my suprise, our microfibre couch has done pretty well honestly. We have two labs too, so yes we do get pet hair on them but we find a quick brush with a clothes brush is enough to keep it looking good. For reference, the kitty is grey and white, and the labs are golden. If only we could sell pet hair, I could make a fortune!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

We are looking after my sister's kitty at the moment and to my suprise, our microfibre couch has done pretty well honestly. We have two labs too, so yes we do get pet hair on them but we find a quick brush with a clothes brush is enough to keep it looking good. For reference, the kitty is grey and white, and the labs are golden. If only we could sell pet hair, I could make a fortune!

Honey - You can make cat hair needlework! lol This is from Etsy!

 

[Haven]

We have three fully clawed cats and lots of sofas. Save for two leather ottomans, the rest of our furniture is fabric. We keep the sofas covered in throw blankets or slipcovers unless we're having company over, and we put scratching posts up next to the sofas. We don't have any issues at all with the cats scratching the furniture, we trained them to use the scratching posts when we first brought them home, and now it's easy sailing.

Our latest sofa is this one from Restoration Hardware: http://www.restorationhardware.com/...BelgianRollArmSlipcovered&categoryId=cat80004

My mother was all, "You are crazy for buying that sofa! The cats are going to tear it apart!" But so far, so good. And it's sooooo comfy.

 

[Gypsy]

Any fabric attracts hair. The difference is with some fabrics the hair will work it's way into the weave, whereas with microfiber the weave is impermeable and that hair just sits on top, easy to get off. I have different fabric throw pillows on my couches and they ALL attract hair much more than my microfiber does. It really is the best fabric for cats. But yes, it is still fabric. That said, I have 5 and they are 'favorite spot' kitties. I deal with this two ways. I do have throws down on the couchs much of the time (not intentional, we use them and don't put them away) and also the COLOR of the fabric is a medium gray. I have a beige cat, and black cat, a white cat, a black and white, and a gray cat. It's the best neutral for my brood. So keep your cat hair color in mind to the extent possible.

As for leather.... Only top quality leather is good for cats. And your cat can't like to scratch/ puncture it.

Here's my living room (the brown recliner will be replaced with a cream microfiber one in the next year) so you can get an idea.

 

[CJ2008]

Thanks, guys...

I went to look at some swatches today and was kind of surprised and impressed by how good the microfiber looked and felt...so it's definitely a contender...

 

[asscher_girl]

We just bought 2 new sofas from room and board this year with really thick durable microfiber and they are holding up great. Our 2 cats aren't always on the sofas but I tend to use a lint roller every other day or so if they were sleeping on them (usually the hair is just in their spot where they sleep). The hair comes off very easily too. We are loving the sofas!

 

[lulu]

I'm shopping for two new sofas. The existing ones are La-Z-Boy microfiber. They're seven years old and the cats have really scratched them up. I stopped at a local furniture store today and spoke to the salesman and brought home some samples of their "performance microfiber"He tells me microfiber has really improved. I've been going after them with a nail and scissors and I can damage them if I try.

I have two leather sofas as well. One is a low grade leather and they have really scratched it up. The high end leather they have not scratched, but they have put punctures in it. La-Z-Boy also has a new recycled leather that's supposed to be really tough, but I saw it in the store and it didn't appeal.

So, I'm having the same quandary. On top of that I want something American made and DH wants recliner sofas, which tend to be bulky and hideous.

I also keep a big scratching post next to the sofas and redirect them when I catch them. It just hasn't worked and I don't want to do anything more drastic. The cats are more important than the furniture.

 

[Gypsy]

The cats are more important than the furniture.

Absolutely agree. Just as an FYI. My couch is from Basset. They did NOT have a microfiber in the color/durability that I approved of, so I got the yardage (I think it was 25) and bought my own and gave it to them to use. That's always an option if you find a sofa you love, but the place doesn't have fabric you like.

There is a lot of cheap micro fiber out there (quality not pricing). The best thing you can do is order a full YARD of what you want and take it home and put it through hell. Also, cushion quality makes a large difference in the wear of furniture. I upgraded all my cushions and I highly recommend that as well.