Couch with a side of dog hair
By Gina Spadafori
October 29, 2006
Over on A Dog’s Life, Nancy goes shopping for a dog-friendly couch. And get this: She sneaks dog hair into the furniture store to see which fabrics are dog-hair magnets, and Bounce fabric sheets to help figure out which give up the hair most easily. Brilliant!
I still suspect ultra-high-grade leather will hold up the best. This is based on just one observation, though, of a friend’s very expensive leather couch that has stood up to 15 years or more of abuse in a home with two kids and at least two golden retrievers at any give time. And yes, they’re alllll allowed on the couch.
In my house, a Mission-style couch from the consignment shop is holding up OK, covered with washable throws from Foster and Smith that have survived a decade of weekly washings and are just now starting to be threadbare in spots. I am thinking of replacing it with a hide-a-bed from La-Z-Boy, a model that just happens to be named The MacKenzie. (OK, so my dog’s named McKenzie. It’s still pretty close.) Christie has Lay-Z-Boy hide-a-beds, and I have slept on them enough to know that they’re very comfortable. So whaddaya think? The MacKenzie in reddish leather (as shown above)?
I wonder if I could still get it in time for Christmas, so my parents won’t complain when they come over for dinner about how the dogs have ruined all my furniture?
Question: If this Crypton Super Fabric is really so stain-resistant, why is is sold with a cleaning kit? (See the bottom of the linked page.)
OMG, your parents complain about your dog-lived-in house, too? For God’s sake, I’m 47. I’m successful. Leave me alone!
Comment by Kim Hanson — October 30, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
Yeah, how ‘about that. And I’ll be 49 in December. They’re still hoping I drop down to one dog, “maybe a nice miniature poodle — they’re so much cleaner!” says my mom.
If she could only see what my retrievers are really, really like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlinville/133886543/
Comment by Gina — October 30, 2006 @ 7:08 pm
I love your blog, and this entry is great. We are starting to think about a new couch too and I never would have considered leather before. I do like this couch that you show — do let us know if you like it!
Comment by Michelle — November 1, 2006 @ 5:40 am
The “best material” theory depends on the dog. My friend’s lab ate her leather sofa.
Comment by Pappy's Fella — November 2, 2006 @ 6:06 am