We are all likely attached in one way or another to our couch. In fact, many of us can probably remember that amazing feeling when we brought that first piece of furniture into the home. There is nothing that quite solidifies adulting than purchasing a quality piece of furniture.
With so much hard work and money that goes into furniture, it is also completely understandable that you might get a little bit anxious when you see your furry friend try to hop up onto the couch. While you want your dog to be comfortable, you equally do not want them to damage the furniture that you have equally invested so much into.
Luckily, there are plenty of great ways to protect your furniture. Whether you decide to use couch blankets or put protective fabric spray over the cushions, there are numerous ways to ensure that all your furniture remains both protected and clean—even if you do also have pets in the home.
Having to take extra precautions for keeping your couch looking good is nothing new to pet owners. In fact, we have rounded up their top tips for how you can easily look after your couch and not have to worry about it getting damaged by your dog.
1. Use Pretreatment Spray
One of the best ways to protect your furniture from your dog is to actually spray it with products that are designed to do just that. Depending on where you purchase your couch, the company may actually offer to do this for you. But if not, you can easily find a spray online and do it yourself. The spray will essentially act as a shield to any dog hair, scratches or dirt that they may unintentionally bring to the couch. It is an affordable way to get some extra insurance on your couch.
2. Use Couch Blankets
Another great way to keep your couch protected and clean is to lay a couch blanket over it. This will be a stylish way to still make the couch accessible to your pet while also making it super simple to clean. In fact, once you and your dog finish cuddling on the couch, all you have to do is lay the couch blanket down before you hop on and then put it in the washing machine after being used. Best of all, the couch blanket will add some fun style and décor to your couch and be a practical way to keep anyone warm too.
3. Make Cleaning a Habit
Another great way to keep your couch protected and clean—even if you use a couch blanket or upholstery spray—is to clean your couch frequently. Ideally, you will give it a good scrub once every two weeks to prevent a build-up of dog hair or dirt from occurring. Doing a little bit of cleaning consistently will allow you to see great results in the long run.
4. Have Stain Removers on Standby
Accidents happen, even when you think you are prepared for it all and have taken extra precautions. That is why you should always have stain removers stored in a nearby closet. The quicker you are able to address the problem, the less likely long-term damage will occur. Having stain removers in your home is something that is very affordable and can easily be stored in your closet. One of the best ways to get stains out is actually with the simple combination of soap and water—which you can find at any local grocery store.
5. Be Extra Careful with Plastic Wrap
Sometimes, your furniture is simply too nice to risk your dog even coming into contact with it. If this is the case, then you should go all-out and have the couch wrapped in plastic wrap. This is something that is often done with very expensive or antique pieces of furniture. While you won’t get the comfort of the cushions, you will be able to still proudly present your couch in your living room without stressing that your dog is going to cause irreversible damage.
However, this solution is certainly not a long-term one, as no one wants to relax on a couch wrapped in plastic. So you may want to consider potentially getting a new couch or putting that current one elsewhere if the risk is simply too high for your dog to come into contact with it.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to look after your couch if you have a dog. From using upholstery protective spray to couch blankets that are both stylish and practical, you will be able to choose the best option for you.
How will you be keeping your couch looking clean and protected from your dog? Whatever you choose to do, know that you can still find a way to get enjoyment from your couch—and your dog likely can too!
Sources:
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/how-to-protect-fabric-furniture-from-stains.html
