Pets are a very important part of many families but unfortunately they sometimes don’t mix well with brand new furniture. “If a house doesn’t work with pets, it won’t work with children or guests, either” says Julia Szabo, pet columnist from the New York Post and author of Animal House Style: Designing a Home to Share With Your Pets. (www.animalhousestyle.com)
Consider slipcovers. Denim or twill to protect more expensive upholstered pieces. Customers often order more than one slipcover so that one may be washed, while the other is being used.
Discover the joys of Crypton fabrics from Vanguard Furniture, a nearly indestructible, synthetic fabric that’s resistant to stains, smells, bacteria and muddy paws. If you love the luxury of linen, now you can have your beautiful upholstery and your pets too!
Throws give your pet an approved place to rest on the sofa. Customers with pets have been known to make a throw from the same upholstery fabric. This provides a dog or cat with a very good nesting spot and can save wear and tear on your furniture.
Purchase extra fabric for any upholstered furniture project. It can be cheap insurance if a stain cannot be removed or if a cushion is damaged—1½ yards will recover most cushions.
Bathing pets frequently and regular grooming helps a lot too. Groomed animals shed less and clipped claws can’t scratch as much. It’s easier to groom your pet than to clean your upholstery.
Vacuum furniture often—every few days, if possible. Pet hair has an odor and some dog hair has oil that can attract soil to your furniture.
You could also consider cozy pet beds by Uttermost, so your pet has it’s own place to relax.
Finally, if you’re thinking about bringing a new dog into your family, don’t forget about the Catawba Humane Society. (www.catawbahumane.org) We do have one favor to ask… the next time you see a dog or cat in need of a family, please help them out.
Sit, Stay!
Contributed by Good’s Home Furnishings. Located on Levels 2 & 3 of Hickory Furniture Mart.