Many pet owners share the trouble of constantly cleaning up their pets’ messes around their homes. For dogs, that mess could entail shedding hair that clings onto furniture or mud that’s tracked in when they rush indoors after playing outside.
If cleaning after your pet is proving to take a lot of time and effort, perhaps it’s time to look into more pet-friendly materials that you can incorporate into your home to make it easier to keep clean.
6 Pet-Friendly Materials and Textiles to Incorporate in Your Home
To that end, here are some pet-friendly materials and textiles that you should choose for your home if you own a pet:
1) Leather
Do you own dogs or cats who love to clamber onto your furniture? If so, then you’ll benefit from having a leather couch. Thanks to the smooth surface of leather, fur doesn’t stick onto it, and any hair left by your pets can easily be wiped or vacuumed away. It also doesn’t absorb odours, so you don’t have to worry about strong pet odour residue, even if your pets enjoy hanging out on your couch often. Moreover, if one of your dogs accidentally relieves themselves on the leather surface, it’s much easier to clean without worrying that the mess will seep through to the couch’s stuffing.
Besides its sturdiness, another great feature of leather is how elegant and stylish it looks the longer you own it. Leather is known to develop a patina over time, which gives it a unique and lived-in look. Even minor scratches or scuffs will be negligible as these blend in nicely with the patina.
2) Nylon
The constant movement of animals around your home can be tough on your flooring, so finding rugs that protect your floor from your pets’ scratching and roughhousing is important. For this purpose, your best bet is to get nylon rugs. Nylon is sturdy and stain-resistant, making cleaning easy should your pet track in any mud or dirt.
In addition to rugs, nylon makes for comfortable yet durable customizable dog collars. This material is lightweight, durable, and designed to handle wear and tear, making it ideal for active dogs. As a result, nylon continues to be a popular choice in many dog owners’ homes.
3) Microfiber
Tightly woven fabric is generally considered pet-friendly, as it doesn’t allow dirt to permeate. As a result, it typically takes less effort to clean.
Microfiber’s tight weave makes it an excellent choice for pet owners to add to their homes. Any pet hair or dander that sticks to it can be cleared up effortlessly with a lint roller or even just by hand. Stains can also be cleaned with ease using just soap and water. Consider choosing microfiber for your rugs, throw pillowcases, or couch covers to make cleaning up any pet hair in your home a breeze.
4) Outdoor Fabric
As the term suggests, outdoor fabrics comprise textiles made to withstand the harsh conditions of the elements, such as rain or constant exposure to sunlight. Outdoor fabric is highly resistant to dirt and moisture that pets may bring in, keeping your home free from both.
You can use it to upholster your furniture or drape the fabric over any space your pets frequent. Either way, the fabric can provide additional comfort for your pet when they sit or lie down while protecting your furniture or flooring from damage.
Furthermore, outdoor fabrics are available in various colours and designs, so you can certainly find products that perfectly match your home’s interior design.
5) Canvas
Canvas is another tightly woven fabric that can resist wear and tear from your pets. Using canvas slipcovers for your pillow cushions or couch will protect them from everyday stains and dirt trails. This also makes cleaning those dirty spots hassle-free, as you can use soap and water to wipe canvas fabric clean or, for larger stains, throw the fabric into your washing machine. The material’s tight weave will also make it less likely for a dog’s claws to get caught on a canvas surface, preventing accidents or damage to the fabric.
6) Denim
Regarding durable fabric, denim is consistently among the top picks—not just for human products but also for pet-friendly products. Thanks to its twill weave—which uses a higher thread count—you can rely on denim fabric to handle the wear and tear that your pets will bring onto it with ease. You also don’t have to worry about damaging it, even if you want to use a vacuum for quicker cleaning.
You can use denim fabric for slipcovers to add extra protection for your couch and pillows or as makeshift rugs for areas in your home where your pets constantly stay. You can also recycle fabric from old jeans to make your functional rug.
Pet-proofing your home can remain a challenge for you as long as you keep pets, but it’s always worthwhile for the joy your pets will bring to your home. The task at hand will be at least a little easier if you have knowledge of which materials and textiles work well with your kind of household. When you shop for new furniture, covers, or other household items, check this article to know which materials best suit you and your pets.
Conclusion
Incorporating pet-friendly materials into your home is a practical and stylish way to create a space that is both comfortable for you and durable enough for your pets. From the durability of leather to the easy maintenance of microfiber, choosing the right materials can make all the difference in keeping your home looking great while accommodating your pets’ needs. By opting for these resilient and versatile textiles, you can enjoy a beautiful and functional home, even with your furry companions around.