Child and Pet-Friendly Upholstery Options

July 15, 2024

by Rachel Soh

For families with young children and pets, selecting the right upholstery is about balancing comfort, style, and practicality. Modern advancements in fabric technology have simplified this task, providing durable, safe, and easy-to-clean options. This article offers a detailed guide on how to navigate these choices and the important certifications to look for when making your selections.

Richwool / Collection

Daily Life with Pets and Young Children

The most obvious considerations when selecting upholstery that is child and pet-friendly are durability and ease of cleaning. Wear and tear are highly visible, and there are many ways children and pets can stain, mark, and wear down furniture. From treating your furniture as a canvas to getting sick or plain clumsiness, children in their exploratory years can be a walking stain storm. They run around wildly with crayons, paints, and colors. Their still-developing fine motor skills mean they don’t have a good grasp of the things they hold, leading to spilled drinks, smooshed food, and dropped items that inevitably mark up your once-pristine furniture.

Pets, despite their best intentions and desire for your love and affection, have no idea how their pawing, scratching, digging, drooling, and sniffing affect your furniture. Their natural survival instinct doesn't teach them to protect and avoid dragging their food onto expensive things; they’re just happily living their best lives with you.

The potential mess that both kids and pets leave in their wake without a care or concept of cost, consequences, and clean-up can leave you exhausted. So, spare them and yourself additional stress by picking materials that provide the best outcomes possible when the inevitable spills, scratches, and artistic endeavors occur on your furniture. The key is to look for materials that are durable, easy to clean and safe.

Astico / Collection

Features of Easy-to-Maintain Upholstery

Dust and fur resistant materials: Choose materials that don’t easily collect dust, fur, or hair and are resistant to pilling.
Stain-resistant treatments: Select textiles that have undergone treatments to repel stains, making them easier to keep clean.
Water-resistant or waterproof fabrics: These prevent liquids from being absorbed, simplifying cleanup of spills.
Machine washable and removable covers: Allow for easy laundering, which is especially convenient for managing messes.
Quick-drying fabrics: Help reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth.
High thread count fabrics: Typically offer smoother finishes that are less prone to snagging and collecting dust.
Dark colors and patterns: More forgiving towards stains and wear, keeping your furniture looking better for longer.

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Safety Considerations

An often overlooked but critical factor when selecting home furnishings is safety. Many furniture pieces, as well as household items like scents, carpets, and curtains, come pre-treated with chemicals. While most chemicals are safe, some furniture can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde that can be toxic and harmful, emitting fumes and contributing to indoor pollution.

Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to these emissions due to their less developed bodily systems. They also tend to be less discerning about what they come into contact with, often licking surfaces or eating from the floor and furniture, increasing their exposure to these chemicals.

Due to the various health problems that indoor pollution is linked to, such as allergies, asthma, and cancer, certifications have been created to test the emission levels of products and guarantee their safety.

Certifications to Look For

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: This certification confirms that the textile has undergone extensive testing for harmful substances according to globally standardized criteria. It establishes the standard for textile safety, ensuring that the product is safe for human health. Every component, including threads, buttons, and accessories, has been evaluated against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances.
GREENGUARD Certification: Furniture that has been GREENGUARD Certified has met strict chemical emission limits based on third-party testing, ensuring it is safe for indoor use.

Convoy / Collection

Top Upholstery Materials That Are Easy to Maintain and Safe for Your Home

Environmentally friendly olefin: Olefin is a standout material because it was once considered a waste product in oil production. Through upcycling, it has been transformed into a fabric with a very low carbon footprint, even greener than cotton, wool, silk, and rayon. It doesn’t require water or land during production and is known for being safe, durable, colorfast, comfortable, and stain-resistant. However, like any other material, it's important to check whether it has safety certifications or if it has been treated with any toxic chemicals.
Luxurious leather: Leather remains a popular choice for furniture due to its luxurious, beautiful, and elegant appearance. It is naturally durable and stain-resistant, aging well and often enhancing the aesthetic appeal of spaces over time. Leather doesn't pill or easily trap dirt. The best and most durable type is top-grain leather, although it can be pricey. It's also important to note that sharp cat claws can puncture leather, but minor marks can be managed with a leather conditioner. Opting for distressed leather can help hide marks, adding character to your home. Faux leather like Acacia’s Leather Craft that has been pretreated for durability and performance is also a good alternative.
Great value microfiber: Microfiber is an upholstery material that is attractive to people who are looking for something that is cost-effective, but also high performing. It is highly resistant to wear and tear because it is made from tightly woven synthetic fibers, and is affordable compared to the cost of other materials like leather or high performance fabrics.
Breathable and versatile canvas: A classic well loved furniture material is canvas. It is durable, cost-effective and very versatile in style. It is usually added to furniture as a removable material that can be machine washed, making it an excellent option if cleanliness and maintenance is important. On top of that it is a breathable material which makes it more comfortable to sit on, especially if you spend prolonged periods on it or live in a place with a warmer climate.
Chic and long-lasting outdoor fabrics: An unexpected and surprising fabric for indoor use are traditionally outdoor fabrics UV Pro and FibreGuard Outdoor. Since they are built to last outdoors, they are very durable, water resistant, stain resistant, fade resistant and easy to clean which keep them looking new and in good condition for a long time. These qualities make them an excellent selection if you have kids or pets. Furthermore, outdoor upholstery is no longer stiff and coarse. Contemporary outdoor fabrics are now chic and comfortable and worth considering.

Monsieur / Collection

Long-Term Benefits of Investing in Durable Furniture: Cost, Time Savings, and Sustainability

Cost: Sometimes we can be reluctant to choose a more practical option over a cheaper item due to cost. This is particularly true when we think about something as expensive solely based on the price we pay at the register. However, it is also useful to consider how much use you get out of something. Purchasing durable furniture not only saves you time, money, and effort, but also helps reduce unnecessary waste. Investing in durable furniture means you won’t need to replace it as frequently, potentially extending the time before a new replacement is necessary by several years, which could save you money in the long term.
Time Savings: Opting for low-maintenance materials reduces the time spent on cleaning and upkeep. You won’t have to worry about removing stains frequently or purchasing special cleaning supplies, making your life easier and more efficient.

3. Sustainability: The longer you keep your furniture, the less waste you generate. By reducing the frequency of replacements, you contribute to a decrease in overall waste, supporting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Convoy / Collection

High-Maintenance Fabrics to Avoid

Tweed: Open weave fabrics like tweed can easily trap dirt, hair and fur between the weaves. Claws can also easily dig in and tear the material.
Velvet: Although it is easily cleaned, it tends to attract hair and fur which can be obvious and unsightly.
Silk: Silk can provide a luxurious and elegant vibe to a space, however it stains too easily, and is too delicate to withstand rough handling by children and pets.
Suede: Suede is a beautiful and durable material, however, compared to leather and other materials, it is relatively difficult to clean. If you like the look and feel of suede, consider checking out microsuede which is a similar but easier to maintain material.

Upholstery Care Tips

Buying the best furniture that uses the most stain resistant materials, with the safest treatments, will give you a good base to start with. Regardless, the cleanliness and durability of your upholstery depends on your day-to-day upkeep.

Here are some things you can do to keep your furniture looking good, and lasting as long as possible:

Clean often: Regular cleaning helps minimize the buildup of dirt and stains.
Clean immediately: This gives you the best chance at keeping your furniture looking new, as it helps to prevent stains from setting in.
Removable protective covers: Instead of relying on the durability of the base material, you can layer covers on top of your furniture that is easy to upkeep, clean and change while protecting the base couch. You can use things like slipcovers, throws and blankets on frequently used areas to protect against wear and tear.

Some Acacia fabrics to consider:

These Acacia fabric brands are popular because they are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified and tested for durability, strength and easy maintenance

FibreGuard Fabrics: Both FibreGuard Pro and FibreGuard Outdoor have all the characteristics of upholstery that make them an ideal option for pet owners and parents. They are tested with very high standards, and certified to be safe, strong, and antimicrobial. On top of that they are also washable.
UV Pro: Outdoor fabrics brand for Acacia Fabrics that is hard wearing and water and stain resistant enough for the outdoors, but beautiful and comfortable enough for the indoors.
Leather Craft: For those who prefer the look and feel of leather, but the durability and price of performance fabrics, Acacia’s Leather Craft offers all the luxury of leather, but the characteristics of performance fabrics that are extra durable and resistant to stains and fading.

Convoy / Collection

Astico / Collection

In today’s market, the variety of pet- and kid-friendly upholstery options available is truly impressive. These materials are not only designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes with an active household but are also crafted to maintain a stylish and appealing look. From stain-resistant fabrics to durable, easy-to-clean materials, you can effortlessly find the perfect upholstery to complement your home’s décor while meeting the practical demands of family life. With a bit of thoughtful care and some helpful maintenance tips, these high-quality upholstery choices can ensure your furniture remains in excellent condition for many years to come.

Monsieur / Collection

Citations:

What Are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)? (n.d.). Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
Health Effects of VOCs. (n.d.). American Lung Association. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/vocs
Protecting Children from Chemical Hazards. (n.d.). Healthy Children. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Chemical-Hazards.aspx
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. (n.d.). OEKO-TEX® https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100
What Does GREENGUARD Certified Mean? (n.d.). UL https://www.ul.com/insights/what-does-greenguard-certified-mean
What Exactly is Olefin? (n.d.). Revolution Fabrics. https://revolutionfabrics.com/blogs/gotcha-covered/what-exactly-is-olefin
The Leather Sofa Dilemma: Unraveling the Pros and Cons. (2023). J. Jones Design Co. https://www.jjonesdesignco.com/blogs/the-leather-sofa-dilemma-unraveling-the-pros-and-cons
Best Sofa Fabrics for Pet Owners. (2017). Apartment Therapy. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-sofa-fabrics-for-pet-owners-256230
Everything You Need to Know About Using Outdoor Fabric Indoors. (n.d.). Fabrics and Papers. https://www.fabricsandpapers.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-using-outdoor-fabric-indoors
Best and Worst Fabrics for Pet Owners. (2017). HGTV. https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/family/pets/best-and-worst-fabrics-for-pet-owners-pictures
Acacia Fabrics: FibreGuard. (n.d.). FibreGuard. https://fibreguard.com/
Acacia Fabrics: UV Pro. (n.d.). UV Pro. https://www.uv-pro.com/en
Acacia Fabrics: Leather Craft. (n.d.). Acacia Fabrics. https://www.acaciafabrics.com/en/products?filter=collectionName.eq.Leather+Craft&display_value=gallery&page_size=50&page=2

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