Vandal-resistant sofas: fabric types and tips for choosing

For pet owners, vandal-resistant sofas may be the only way to keep furniture looking decent. Such models look no worse than ordinary ones, but they have much greater strength.

The vandal-proof fabric used for the upholstery of the sofa is called this way due to the present resistance to stains and mechanical damage. Protection, mainly from animals, is provided by a special weaving, and impregnation of the coating saves from contamination. The upholstery acts as a moisture barrier and does not allow dust, grease or coloring particles to pass through. She does not wipe herself from frequent interaction with the body and is not afraid of the claws of animals.

This characteristic guarantees resistance to mechanical damage by sharp objects, including the claws of cats and dogs. Such fabric has increased density and strength due to complex weaving, so its service life turns out to be much longer than that of a conventional coating. Despite the presence of Teflon impregnation, the greenhouse effect is not created, and the surface of the upholstery remains pleasant to the touch. "Anti-claw" is available in various colors and designs, and therefore fits into almost any interior.

Vandal-proof fabric does not fade in the sun, “bald spots” and subsidence do not form on it, so the sofa looks like new for a long time. Grease and oil stains seem to "push off" the surface, so cleaning is easy and simple.

Not every upholstery fabric is vandal-proof. A dense and smooth fabric on a synthetic basis possesses the necessary properties. Weaving is carried out in such a way that the fibers are in close contact with each other, leaving no gaps. As a result neither sharp objects nor animal claws are simply capable of piercing the upholstery. Additionally, many fabrics are treated with Teflon, the main task of which is to protect against stains and give the fabric strength.

By itself, flock can be based on cotton, twill or satin, or even a combination of three fabrics. The canvases are covered with an adhesive layer, which, in turn, is covered with small artificial fibers. They are arranged in an upright position and quite densely, so the upholstery looks very neat and without "bald spots". The soft surface is pleasant to use, but remains firm enough.

Flock does not fade under the influence of sunlight and does not lose its attractive appearance over time. Moreover, the material, which does not tear and does not wear off from frequent use, is available in various colors and patterns.

Furniture suede has a rather unusual composition, including cotton and polyester, treated with glue or lamination. Besides, the artificial material is impregnated with Teflon for additional protection... The basis can be either woven or non-woven fabric, but the former has greater strength and a longer service life.

The villi are created from Teflon-coated polyester. Upholstery made of furniture suede is pleasant to the touch, but at the same time retains high strength, without fear of animal claws, tears or abrasions. The coating is quite easy to wash, and even if it is accidentally exposed to aggressive substances, it will not lose its original appearance.

Jacquard is a fairly common choice for upholstering upholstered furniture. A strong base and a fairly dense weave of threads provide the fabric with reliability.

Choosing jacquard as a covering, you can be sure that no clues or pieces of thread will appear on the furniture. The base does not fade even with abundant exposure to sunlight, and the surface itself is effortlessly cleaned of dirt or stains.

The structure of the tapestry is in many ways similar to the structure of jacquard, therefore this material also possesses anti-vandal strength. However, using thicker threads will give the tapestry better quality. The weaving used to create the tapestry is also special - it is formed from three threads tightly intertwined with each other. In most cases all threads are used natural, but sometimes artificial ones are added to them, which increases the strength of the fabric.

Chenille fabric is formed from natural threads, artificial threads, or a combination of both. All of them are interconnected in a spiral, with an additional weaving of pile, which provides the material with the best quality. You can weave both longitudinally and transversely. The dense base provides protection from animal claws, and the versatile weaving extends the life of the product. Chenille, as a rule, comes in bright colors, and therefore looks extremely impressive.

Other anti-vandal fabrics used for the sofa cover include relaxation. This material is created from a mixture of cotton and polymers, the combination of which provides greater reliability. Nice fabric is not afraid of mechanical damage and even fire, and also rejects dirt and moisture... In order to clean the furniture, it will be enough to wipe it with a cloth soaked in soapy water.

Furniture corduroy rarely used for sofa upholstery, but nevertheless has good anti-vandal properties. Microfiber does not look very aesthetically pleasing, but it is highly durable. Upholstery made from this material is best used to purchase sofas for a nursery.

Scotchguard is a relatively new fabric, but has already gained popularity due to its high quality and reliability. The material is not afraid of mechanical damage, as well as dirt and moisture.

There are several basic factors to consider when choosing the best fabric for your sofa upholstery.

In the presence of pets, the backing of the material must be strong enough to prevent the claws from skipping. If you only need to provide protection from stains and children's games, then you can choose a base with less reliability and a more natural composition. When inspecting the fabric, it is important to check that the surface is not deformed or damaged, or covered with dust or dirt.

The shade of anti-vandal fabric is definitely chosen depending on the preferences of the buyers. Nevertheless in an apartment with pets, it is better to choose dark or rather bright colors, since light ones will require more frequent cleaning. If the choice is still in favor of pastel shades, then it makes sense to think about additional patterns or drawings.

The label of an anti-vandal product, as a rule, indicates all the rules for caring for it. Usually, the owner needs to regularly vacuum the upholstery, and quickly remove the resulting stains with a damp sponge, soap or powder.

In an emergency, it is better to use folk remedies and try to eliminate the stain with soda, vinegar or ammonia.

Real customer reviews about anti-vandal sofa coverings are, in principle, positive. The flock-upholstered furniture deserves special praise. Such fabric has a long service life, during which it does not lose its original color. It is also noted resistance of the coating to punctures and the absence of static electrical. The material looks quite attractive and is inexpensive.

One customer said that a light beige sofa with an anti-vandal coating has been with her relatives for 15 years and looks like new. Despite the presence of a cat in the apartment, no clues appear on the surface. Another woman described how light-colored flock upholstery successfully copes with all the stains that appear during children's play. To clean furniture, simply wipe it down with a soft sponge.

The owner, who is a cat breeder, wrote that her pets simply cannot scratch the anti-vandal cover of the sofa - they slide off it.Another adds that it is not even necessary to purchase new furniture for this - it is enough to order an anti-vandal cover.

In the next video, watch the durability test of vandal-resistant sofas.